If you've been thinking about remodeling your home, there are an awful lot of things to consider. Where do you being? Do you change everything, or just one room? Do you add rooms? Combine rooms?

Then there’s the concern about the value of the remodel: is remodeling your home going to increase its value? Chances are, any remodel will increase the value a little, but some choices are better than others in that regard.

There’s a caveat here, though: if you’re planning to remodel, you should do it first because you want to update the space for yourself. You’ll never get a 100% return on investment, so the best thing to do is remodel the things that you want to update while prioritizing the things that will get you a good return.

Three Changes That Have a Good Return

If you’re looking for projects to do that will both increase your enjoyment and the value of your home, you might want to consider one of these:

Windows. Energy efficiency is a big deal in terms of the resale value of a home, so windows are a good place to start. Upgrading to energy efficient windows is a great selling point and sometimes get returns as high as 88%.

Painting. Fast, effective, and affordable, there is a great return on this investment in part because it’s the least expensive option that has the biggest impact. Choose a color you like but that will also last in enjoyment in the future. Neutrals in tans and brows are always a safe bet, but shades of blues and lighter greens are popular choices, as well.

Kitchen Remodeling. Energy efficiency comes back into play here with energy efficient appliances. More and more home buyers are ruling out any homes without appliances that are certified energy efficient, so this is an upgrade worth making for everyone!

Changing your window treatment is a great way to update the design of your house. It’s easy, and depending on the type of treatment you use, it can be reasonably affordable. If you've just gotten replacement windows, it’s the perfect time to update your window treatments.

There are some trends that are popping up in houses across the country for interesting window treatments. If you’re not sure where to start, you might want to try one of these:

Grommet Curtains. These are popular for a couple of reasons. First, they make the curtain sit nicely in place with clean, perfect folds and just the right amount of width. Secondly, they’re also extremely easy to open and close, and when you can get beauty and function together, there’s no wonder it’s a popular choice.

Patterns. Bold patterns bring life, color, and character to a space. They also draw attention to the window and its natural light, which makes the space naturally look more inviting and welcoming.

Layers. Layer your curtains for the same reason you layer your clothes: versatility. By layering a sheer curtain under a heavier drape, you’re giving yourself options in the control of heat and light coming into the house. As an extra bonus, the layers make the drapes look fuller and more extravagant.

Roman Shades. The reason shades are popular is their simplicity. They come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures, and they provide a clean, simple line in the space. They are the un-fussiest window treatment, and unsurprisingly, one of the most popular.

Which window treatment do you like?

Imagine your dream home: what does it look like? What does it feature? Alex Rodriguez, third baseman for the New York Yankees, recently sold his Miami home for $30 million, the most ever spent on a house in Miami.

What kinds of features did the home include? Many have been looking into what makes the house worth the $30 million.

Impressive Windows

According to ESPN, one of the “most impressive features” of the house is the back area of the house. The rear of the home is formed by large glass windows that can actually be immediately adjusted to allow people to walk straight through them into the backyard.

Massive window walls on houses are already attention-getting, but the added feature of being able to use them as doors is significant.

Plenty of Space

One of the other big features of the home is the space: 9 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms make this house a welcome respite for family members and guests. They also make it an extremely expansive house, another reason for the top dollar price tag.

Step Outside

ESPN also mentions the outside spaces, including a rooftop deck and zen garden. If the amazing windows and the sheer size of the home wasn’t enough, there’s room outside to entertain and relax in some beautiful spaces.

Even more impressive is the fact that Rodriguez made a reported $15 million profit on the house, and as it turns out, he’s also very interested in the design process.

His business partner, Jose More, said that whatever Rodriguez buys next, he will likely demolish it and start from crash. “He really likes the design process,” More said.

What do you think of Rodriguez’s home and how much it sold for? Would you consider adding a wall of windows or a zen garden on your property?

Did you know that realtors often suggest that sellers leave their curtains open and all the lights turned on when showing a house? The reason for this is simple: lighter homes give buyers more positive impressions.

Does your home have plenty of natural light? Have you taken a look at how your windows work (or gotten replacement windows if you need them)?

Blogger Brooke Giannetti visited a friend’s home and took pictures of the design and style, and one of the most apparent things from the pictures is the incredible use of light in the house.

Here are a few tips inspired by her photographs:

1. Keep curtains open and windows unhindered during comfortable parts of the day. If you have an East or West-side exposure, you might want to pull the curtain in the afternoon or early morning to block out the direct light, but otherwise, natural light streaming through the windows works wonders on your house and your mood.
2. Use light colors and dark anchors in rooms where you want more impact from the light, especially smaller rooms. In the picture above, the floor is a darker color and balances the light colors on top. The light colors, in turn, reflect more of the natural light and create a open, comfortable space.
3. Pay attention to the angle of the light. Light comes in at different angles depending both on the position of the sun and the orientation of the window itself. Take a look at the angles at which light comes into your house and see if you can work with it. For example, if you have a large window in your dining room that streams in on a particular section of the room, consider placing your table there so it’s bathed in soft light.

How will you use natural light in your home?

Homeowners are paying more and more attention to how much energy their homes are using. Not only can you help the environment, but you can save a considerable amount of money you're currently spending on your energy costs.

Here are three ideas to help get you on the road to a more energy efficient home:

New Windows. Over time, even the best windows begin to show signs of wear. As windows grow older, they also grow less efficient, leaking air and affecting the way sunlight and heat function in your home.

New energy efficient windows will be an automatic improvement, including up to 30% savings on your energy costs!

Unplug It! Many people leave their phone chargers, coffee pots, and toasters plugged in even when not in use. However, even when your electronics are off, they're still sucking just a little bit of power. In time, this adds up to quite a bit.

All you have to to fix this is start unplugging things when they're turned off or you aren't using them. Create a charging station for your phones, laptops, and tablets so that you have a place for cords but they don't always have to be plugged in.

New Door. Just like windows, older doors are much less energy efficient. Air seeps in and out around the door frame, costing you extra money on your heating and air conditioning every month.

When you choose a new door, look for one that's rated as energy efficient so you can be sure that it's going to do what you want it to do for a long time to come.