The value of your home can increase or decrease due to any number of factors. Some variables are out of your control — like how hot your local housing market is or isn’t. But others may be — namely, strategic upgrades to the premises.

Many home improvements can add a significant amount to the value of your home. While they won’t all recoup their full cost, they definitely will make the home more marketable — and improve your quality of life while you still occupy it.

There are a variety of ways to add value to your home. Some are simple and fast DIY jobs. Others require an upfront investment and the use of professionals.

1. Clean and declutter

To increase the value of your home, begin by decreasing the amount of stuff that’s inside it. Cleaning and decluttering are relatively inexpensive tasks, even in bigger homes.

2. Add usable square footage

Homes are valued and priced by the livable square feet they contain, and the more livable square feet, the better. Adding a bathroom, a great room or another needed space to a home can increase function and add value. A separate in-law suite can also be a smart idea.

3. Make your home more energy-efficient

Projects that lower utility bills can increase the value of your home. Improve your home’s efficiency and value by replacing old, leaky windows, installing energy-efficient home appliances and insulating walls. Swap out old incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient LED’s, which last longer and use less electricity.

4. Spruce it up with fresh paint

A fresh coat of paint can make even dated exteriors and interiors look fresh and new. Your painting budget will depend on a number of factors, including the materials, labor fees, room type and room size.

5. Work on your curb appeal

From power washing your driveway to mowing the lawn, improving curb appeal can make a big difference in your home’s value. Some ideas: a fresh walkway, shrubs, planters, mulching or even a new patio or outdoor kitchen. Small details like a new mailbox, light fixtures, solar-powered path lights or a new house number sign can also make a world of difference.

6. Upgrade exterior doors

Continuing the theme of curb appeal, replacing an old front door can give your home a sense of freshness.

Don’t forget the garage doors, says Randy Oliver, president of Hollywood-Crawford Door Company. “Garage doors often take up the most amount of space on the front of your home, so installing a modern glass panel door or a rustic wood door will dramatically improve your home’s appearance.”

7. Update your kitchen

Many buyers zero in on the kitchen as the central feature of a home, so if yours is outdated, it can ultimately affect how much you garner from a sale. Likewise, if you aren’t able to utilize your kitchen fully due to layout, space or other concerns, you won’t be maximizing the space.

If updating your entire kitchen is too big of an undertaking, even small changes could still have an impact — think coordinating appliances and installing modern hardware on your cabinets.

8. Install smart technology

Smart appliances, systems and devices — which can “read” conditions in your home and make automatic adjustments — are state-of-the-art technology that enhances your home’s value, by saving energy consumption — and money.