Upgrades to your first floor

These small changes could add resale value to your home, and make you happier.

3 of 11

3. Living room: Add shelves

Messy rooms can cause anxiety, but a minimalist environment isn't optimal either. A bit of clutter -- books you're reading, family photos -- makes a place feel like home. Shelves keep it all visible yet under control.

Cost: $1,000 and up for a carpenter to build seven-foot shelves along one wall

NEXT: Living room: Hide the TV

Last updated March 26 2010: 3:36 PM ET

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