10 ways to update your home on a budget

Increasing the functionality of your outdoor space is also a great investment, according to the Cost vs. Value Report, which pegs the added value of a deck at resale at as much as 72 percent of its cost to build. “I think it’s huge,” says Storey. “Outdoor entertaining has become a much bigger thing.” If you can manage it, just off the kitchen is the best place for a deck, patio, or outdoor “room” – a covered area that can be as simple as a weathered pergola – since it makes for more convenient grilling, even in winter.