Improvements to your home can have a double payback with more comfort now and more equity when you sell - IF you make smart choices. For most of us, our home is our biggest investment. That means money spent on upgrading is money well spent. It results in greater resale value while providing beauty, comfort and convenience in our every day lives, a win-win situation.

Handy home owners will make small improvements along the way and keep everything well maintained. Fixing the roof will prevent damage to your home, including the ceilings. And little things such as replacing the hardware on your kitchen cabinets will quickly and inexpensively add pizzazz to that room.

But when it's time to get serious about updating, do you know where to put your money? Interestingly, it may depend on where you live. Decks and outdoor living areas are a sure bet in warmer climates while a luxurious owners suite will bring you a hefty return in others. All the experts agree improvements to the kitchen and baths are always a good idea. The perception is if these areas are up to date, the home is a better value. To really get more for your money, consult a space planner or designer. This expert advice will go a long way toward making the most of your remodeling dollars.

And don't forget about landscaping. Did you know that dollars invested in landscaping return at a high rate when it's time to sell? Curb appeal is important. Overgrown bushes and unkempt lawns don't put out the welcome sign. Besides, isn't it nicer to come home to a beautiful setting?

Here's a word of caution. Be careful not to 'over improve.' Enhancing your home beyond the value of the neighborhood will diminish your returns. Of course, if you plan to live there the rest of your life, go ahead with your dreams.

Keep records on every expenditure along the way and check with your accountant on the possible tax perks. Adding a bedroom or family room may qualify as a capital improvement. However, paint and carpeting do not. Keeping your home updated is always a smart move!

Kitchens have always been an integral part of a home. At one time, kitchens were separated from the main house to prevent frequent fires from burning down the entire home. Not any more!

Kitchens did finally make their way into the house but usually got assigned to a rear corner, often separated by a swinging door. Cooking was considered a necessity and not an activity to be shared. Today, the kitchen is the heart of the home and is often at the center of new home design.

Formal living and dining rooms are not as popular as they once were. Space is now given over to 'family space' that includes an open kitchen/dining/family room arrangement. Amenities, features and extras expand the versatility of these open plans.

The need to incorporate the kitchen into a larger, functional family space has resulted in efforts to make the kitchen area more attractive. Layout, design, finishes, surfaces, placement of storage, appliances and eating areas are just a few considerations in new homes, as well as in kitchen remodels.

Trends today include de-emphasizing appliance fronts by using panels that match cabinetry. Refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens and the like blend in and create a more spacious look. The presence of oversized counter top appliances like food processors, mixers, blenders, juicers and bread machines have created storage solutions that include 'appliance garages,' an open, vertical space within cabinets to house large baking dishes and pans, mixing bowls, platters and other serving pieces. Bookshelves and display niches are included in today's kitchen to show off cookbooks and other collections.

Kitchen islands have become common. Once an extra in custom homes, islands are now almost considered necessary today. Some islands contain cooktops, overhangs to create a snack bar, sinks, storage and electrical outlets. Granite and faux-stone for countertops and island work surfaces allow easy care and easy cleaning.

Cabinetry is available in a seemingly endless array of looks from natural wood to gleaming white, laminates, distressed wood, antiqued wood and weathered wood. You also have your choice of raised panel doors, a host of hardware and a multitude of options for pull-out shelves, wire baskets and other features to make the most of the space. Butler's pantries are once again popular and offer more storage and preparation and serving areas.

Planning desks and 'communication centers' are popular in today's new kitchens. A lower counter allows a chair to be pulled up to this mini-office/command center. Most families have a corner where papers, bills and messages collect. A planning desk makes it official and keeps things more organized. In addition to the phone, some planning desks are designed to accommodate the family computer. As the Internet becomes more popular for everyday communication, shopping, research, banking and bill-paying, a computer will become standard equipment in the kitchen.

The way we live today dictates how our homes are designed. As our busy lives take us away further and more often, our homes serve to center us and bring us together. Builders and architects strive to accommodate these needs and wants while creating easy-to-maintain simple designs to appeal to the budget of the average home buyer.