Believe it or not, not everything you put in your backyard space will improve the value of your home. Kiplinger ran an article this week detailing some of the best "bang for the buck" projects as well as others that won't pay off when it comes to resale value. Having undertaken one of these projects at our house I found it interesting that some additions are more desirable than others.

Probably the biggest surprise to me was that professionally designed landscaping can not only transform your backyard but also add real aesthetic value to the property. The article suggests that you have a landscaper design the layout and the do-it-yourself as a low-cost solution.

The other surprise was the utter trashing that "water features" received. By their account small pools typically are abandoned after several years as they require costly maintenance. They also claim that outdoor fireplaces are "luxury" items due to cost and the limited resale value they add.

Then again if you plan to stay in your home for years resale may not be your primary concern. I would caution though that you consider the cost both monetarily and in time for certain improvements. Things like pools and gardens require maintenance as opposed to additions like covered porches and patios which are relatively maintenance free. The important thing is to do what pleases you, the home owner, and not what the real estate industry tells you will make your home more valuable.