In 2014, you should be moving your home improvement focus outdoors, according to the Cost vs. Value report that was released at the beginning of the year.  exterior remodeling il, home improvement il "The report, an annual collaboration between Remodeling magazine and REALTOR® Magazine, compares the average cost for 35 popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale in 101 U.S. cities.  Eight of the top 10 most cost-effective projects nationally, in terms of value recouped, are exterior projects," reports realtor.com.  For the full list, click through to the complete article.

5 Home Improvement Mistakes

Conversely, there are things to keep in mind when undertaking a home improvement project, according to this helpful infographic on FortuneBuilders.com. Any guesses what they are? The number one mistake is overimproving your home.

So before you decide to undertake a new project, of your project as well as an opinion on how much it will add to your home's value. If you are planning on selling your home in the next few years, the worst thing you can do is overinvest in improvements that you won't get your money back on. 

Best iPad Apps for Home Improvement

Many homeowners start dreaming about home improvement ideas months - or even years - before they actually start a project. If you have an iPad, there are countless apps to help you visualize your potential project. Our favorite is Houzz, but this article from iMore.com had some other good suggestions as well.

Click through to see the complete list, and tell us in the comments - what is your favorite project planning app?