Looking for the most efficient way to add value to your home? These remodeling projects will make your home feel both functional and inviting. Whether you plan to stay in your home for years or hope to sell in the near future, here’s a plan for creating the best home on the islands.

• Every Hawaiian knows space is at a premium when it comes to designing and remodeling homes. One of the best ways to increase your home’s value is by adding in-demand spaces to your existing home. If you’re living in an older home with too-few bathrooms, adding a half-bath or an en suite bath to the master bedroom can instantly increase your home’s value. Make sure your new bathroom addition recognizes the latest in home design trends: floor-to-ceiling showers save space while adding luxury and even a half-bath on a main floor or off the primary communal space can increase a home’s value by 9%.

• Another way to increase home value? Remodel your kitchen into a functional, multi-use space filled with natural light. Though less budget-friendly, remodeling a kitchen is still considered one of the best ways to add value to your home and recoup most of your expenses. It is important to remodel effectively- remove unnecessary walls and eliminate any multi-layer transitions-steps, unneeded banisters- etc. to make your kitchen a focal point in the home that is easily accessible to everyone. Replace dated cabinetry and counter-tops with high-fashion materials that are easy to maintain- quartz counter-tops and natural wood are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Lastly, consider adding or enlarging windows to fill the room with light and give the illusion of added space.

• Lastly, when your budget allows, consider finishing and transforming the unused spaces in your home. According to the National Association of Realtors, every 1,000 square feet of usable space added to a home increases the value by more than 30%. Not all completion projects are created equal, however. In places like Hawaii, creating additional living spaces offers the most return on investment- so look for ways to turn your attic into a spare bedroom and turn the patio into a rentable apartment before designing an expensive balcony or adding a second garage.