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These remodeling projects will make your home more comfortable and attractive now and more profitable when you eventually sell it.

Restyle Your Foyer and Staircase

The entryway is the first thing visitors (or potential home buyers) will see when they enter your home, so make sure it welcomes them in style. If you can't change the whole space, consider new entry flooring and a fresh coat of paint for the walls. Or focus on improving the staircase. Sand and re-stain treads and paint risers, and replace railings or newels.

Refinish Wood Floors

Refurbishing hardwood floors enhances the look and the value of your home. If your floors are worn or stained, replacing them may be the better option. Consider splurging on wide-plank hardwood floors in your foyer or living room, and scaling back in the bedrooms.

Accentuate the Architecture

Tasteful architectural accents, such as crown molding, hardwood panels, corbels on a mantel, and a chair rail in the dining room, will add big appeal and value.

Add a Kitchen Island

According to a study by the National Association of Home Builders, 77 percent of homeowners say that an island workspace is a kitchen must-have. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, place two painted chests back-to-back and top with butcher block or use a sofa table topped with tile. Be sure to allow at least 39 inches of space all the way around your island for easy traffic flow.

Upgrade Kitchen Countertops

Granite is the most popular upgrade, but if that's beyond your budget, consider laminate countertops that offer the look of natural stone at a fraction of the price. Add beveled edges to laminate countertops for an even more authentic-stone look.

Change Backsplash to Ceramic Tile

Choose inexpensive field tiles and add sparkle with knockout decorative pieces in glass or metal, or install a checkerboard pattern of several hues.

Add a Bath

A powder room, second, or even a third bathroom will add much appreciated bath space for you and your guests. Make sure the room includes an exhaust fan--something home buyers rank high on their list of desires--and a window that will bring in plenty of natural light.

Change Your Showerheads

It may seem like a small change, but a new showerhead can dramatically improve your morning routine. Consider installing a pan-style model that simulates a refreshing rain shower.

Install a Second Sink

As any growing family or working couple will tell you, a second sink in a bathroom adds immeasurable value. If there's room to install two sinks within 30 inches of each other, the two can share drainage and supply lines, which decreases costs.

Upgrade Bath Materials

While ceramic tiles on the floor are a must, tiling walls creates an upscale, spa-like mood. Retail stores and home centers offer plenty of inexpensive tiles.

Change the faucets and fixtures on the tub, sink, and shower to stylish models in popular finishes such as satin or brushed nickel. Update cabinet hardware, lighting fixtures, and a mirror to complete the fresh look.

Add a Fireplace

A fireplace adds warmth and creates a focal point for the room. Dress up the firebox with a tasteful surround and a classic wood mantel. If you opt for a gas unit, upgrade to one with realistic-look logs.

Paint Your Walls

Painting is the easiest and most cost-effective improvement you can make to your home. Avoid decorative finishes that might date quickly and textures that will be hard for future homeowners to paint over. Instead go for a crisp, clean feel with white trim and subtly colored walls.

Install a Bay Window

A bay window makes a room feel larger, creates a focal point, and also lets in more light than a regular window. To call attention to the window and add function to the room, consider adding a built-in window seat with a bench that opens for storage.

Replace Your Windows

You don't have to put up with drafty rooms. Trade in old, energy-squandering windows for high-performance units that swing in for easy cleaning. Windows marked with the Energy Star label can cut your fuel bills by as much as $340 per year over drafty, single-pane units, which means major savings for as long as you own your home.

Polish Up the Laundry Room

This once-boring room is grabbing lots of attention, so don't hide it away in the basement. Consider putting your laundry room in a main-level mudroom area or an upper-level space convenient to the bedrooms.

Even if you can't get the laundry out of the basement, you can still create an attractive, functional space. Replace old appliances and consider including long stretches of counter space for folding clothes, cabinets for storage, and a built-in ironing board. Paint the walls and install easy-care flooring, such as laminate, that won't be ruined if the washing machine overflows.

Install New Lighting

You'll be amazed by how well-placed pools of warm light can make your home inviting and user-friendly. Use easy-to-install plug-in pluck lights under cabinets, inside built-in hutches, or in bookcases. Consider hiring a professional to install recessed fixtures in built-in shelves or track lighting in dark hallways and stairwells.

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