IMPROVING our homes is as much a national obsession as moving and the stakes seem to be getting higher.

Recent surveys indicate that more than a quarter of a billion pounds will be spent on home improvement projects this spring and that your average homeowner will spend more than £1,200 on their properties over the next three months.

Evidence suggests that most of us are funding these projects on our credit cards. Many of us choose to remortgage, taking advantage of low interest rates.

So, before you start to commit your finances, which are the best value DIY projects to tackle?

Big projects are increasingly common as the high cost of moving often traps homeowners into their existing homes. Adding an extra bedroom or bathroom in your current home can often be a far cheaper option.

One in four home-improvement borrowers builds new rooms rather than updating existing ones.

If the work is well done, increasing a home's size or its facilities is the most cost-effective way to increase its value.

After adding a new bedroom, the next most financially-effective home improvements are new or extended kitchens. These score eight and seven out of 10 respectively in terms of adding value to an existing home.

Loft conversions score seven out of 10 if they are done properly, but strange-shaped rooms with poor access may add very little value and put some potential buyers off when it comes to selling the property.

A conservatory - one of the most popular improvements in the country - gets five out of 10 in the value-for-money-stakes and can hit a home's value if it takes up too much of its garden.

Whether you decide to move or improve your current home will depend on your personal circumstances.

Look at your home objectively. You may not be making the most of the space you already have.

If you're struggling, why not call in help of an expert? A professional designer will help you to see your home in a way you may not have imagined before and help you to avoid making costly mistakes.

Why not give Honeysuckle Interiors a call on 01256 780831 or check out the new website at www.honeysuckleinteriors.co.uk to see what services are available?