Deciding to upgrade your home is exciting. Chances are you are already dreaming of those fantastic finishes and designer details, but while you are thinking about what you want, it is also a good idea to keep an eye one what your home needs.

Upgrades can have a huge impact on the value of your home, or they can add little to no value.  Some of the things that you consider an upgrade could even lower the value of your home in future, so it is a good idea to consider changes carefully.  Here is a list of upgrades that are a good idea, and a couple that are not.

1. Kitchen Upgrades

Just about anything you upgrade in your kitchen, from the cabinets to the countertops to appliances will add to the value of your home.  Kitchens are one of the things that sell homes.  Just be sure to choose quality upgrades that are not too trendy or quirky.

2. Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is one of the best upgrades you can make to your home these days.  Most people have moved on from carpet and tile. Even a good quality laminate can increase the value of your home, particularly if you are replacing tattered carpet or worn linoleum!

3. Bathroom Upgrades

Bathroom upgrades are another area where you really cannot go wrong.  Replacing vanities, upgrading showers, repainting, retiling or just about any other upgrades can increase the value of your home. In fact, if your bathroom is old, tired, and stuck in another decade, you should not sell your home without upgrading the bathroom.

4. Finished Basement

Basements are no longer dusty, cobwebbed and dark.  These days, they are part of the living areas in your home, and they are one of the best upgrades you can do.  A properly finished basement will add significantly to the value of your home.

5. Lighting Upgrades

This is actually one of the most cost effective upgrades in some ways.  It is easy and cheap to replace dated light fixtures, and it will not break the bank to install new pot lights or task lighting in kitchens or bathrooms.

6. Where to Save

Now that you know where to spend your upgrade budget in your home, it is worth looking at where to save too.  These upgrades probably will not be worth the investment, so if you are planning to sell in the foreseeable future, they are best avoided.

7. Carpet

Carpet used to be a selling feature, but people really are over them.  Over time they become dirty and dusty, are hard to clean and become outdated quickly.  If the carpets in your home are looking shabby, do not replace them with more carpet.  Rip them out and install hardwood if your budget allows.  Especially in areas like the most common areas like living room, and dining room if you can.

8. Highly Personal Upgrades

Highly personal or very specific upgrades like home theaters or wine cellars tend not to add as much value as you would hope.  Ditto combining a smaller room with the master bedroom to create a mega master suite.  It is almost always better to have another room than a larger master or specific use room.