Before the start of any home improvement project, you need to clearly define what end results you were looking for. Are you looking to get more enjoyment out of your home because you plan on living there for a while, or are you looking to increase the market value of your home? In either case, you need to be very clear about your objectives before any work gets done.

With an end goal in mind, you can better determine and decide the extent to which you will complete your home improvement project. Doing a simple face lift on your home can have the secondary advantage of increasing your home’s resale value. However, there are some thing that you should be aware of when doing home improvement projects. Here are just a few good do’s and don’ts for improving your home.

DO double check to make sure that you have all of the tools that you are going to need to complete your project before you being any work. There is nothing sillier than beginning a project without all of the necessary tools and equipment. For example, if you are going to be painting a room with tall ceilings, be sure to grab yourself a Little Giant Ladder to ensure that you can reach the ceilings comfortably and that you are being safe as well.

DO complete minor work on your home like replacing or repairing broken items. Simple upkeep is many times one of the best face-lifts you can give your home. It also helps to improve safety as broken outlets and faulty light switches could cause injury to your family or to visitors.

DON’T leave maintenance jobs incomplete. If something breaks or develops a fault, be sure to get it fixed as quickly as possible. A home in disrepair is a sign to potential buyers that there may be even bigger maintenance problems left undone where they can’t be seen.

DO freshen up your home by repainting both the inside and outside of your home. It is one of the cheapest, yet effective things that you can do to improve the overall look and feel of your home. Make sure to keep your colors neutral if you want a room to feel larger, or if you are trying to sell in the near future.

DON’T be tempted to follow the fad of unusual, bright-colored contrasting paint on different walls. Bright colors might suit your current furnishings, but they can also make your home appear darker and smaller. They also may not appeal to a future buyer, so if your goal is to improve value leave the color as neutral as possible and spruce up your rooms with brightly colored accessories instead of paint.

DO utilize all the space in your home for maximum effect. Many homes have incomplete basements that could be used as games rooms or even converted into a home theatre. Some homes have unused attic space that could be easily converted into another bedroom or a home office space. If you have the room and you’re not using it, convert it, and make the most of the space you have.

DON’T spend too much money on your home improvement project. You definitely should not spend more than you will get back when you sell your house. For example, don’t spend $20,000 on a new master bedroom if it is only going to increase the market value of your home by $10,000. Also, don’t spend so much on a renovation that you need to take out a second mortgage. It is okay to do thing in sections as you can afford it.