Increasing the value of your home is all about choosing the right project. Here are ten winners that will enhance your living space and boost your property's value when you come to sell.

1. Lofts and attics

A loft or attic conversion is a great way of adding space, particularly in urban areas where it's impossible to extend outwards - plus they can be a much cheaper alternative to upsizing. A basic loft conversion starts at £15,000, though prices are subject to regional differences.

The value your property will accrue also depends on location, but the average profit is £60,000. Loft extensions are more popular in London and the South East.

2. Basement

Unlike a loft conversion, redeveloping your basement allows you to play around with a whole new floor's worth of space, which can be turned into several different rooms - particularly good for rental properties.

It is a longer and more involved project, and potentially means structural changes to your home and getting the professionals in. If you already have a cellar, conversion costs are around £200-£250 per sqare foot. If there's nothing there, expect to pay around £250-£350 per sqare foot.

Again, basement conversions are more popular with buyers in London and the South East. Returns are less easy to predict and depend on the size of the property and the local property market. You could be looking at upwards of £50,000.

3. Gardens

Green space is a precious asset, and making the most of yours is an easy way to add value to your home in the eyes of buyers.

Sprucing up your garden can be as simple as laying down new lawn, planting seeds or starting a vegetable patch. Or you could get a professional garden makeover - which can cost several thousand pounds but work wonders.

According to the Halifax, over 50% of homeowners would forgo a second bathroom or bedroom for outdoor green space. However excess decking or a swimming pool can devalue your property if it's not to the taste of your target demographic. With a little research and some loving care, this is one of the easiest ways to push up the value of your home.

4. Open-plan living

Modern Britain is increasingly in favour of an open-plan approach to living, merging eating, entertaining, even sleeping areas to create a spacious, contemporary feel. An open-plan approach can also be an effective way of combating space limitations in the home.

If this is the right project for your home, make sure you seek professional advice before knocking a wall down. Also bear in mind that you are effectively reducing the number of rooms, so plan carefully before you bring out the sledgehammer.

With the right sort of buyer - the 20-something or first time buyer market in particular - you could make a tidy return on a relatively inexpensive job.

5. Period features

Another long-standing attraction for buyers is period features, which give your home personality and a sense of history. Original wood flooring and restored fireplaces for example can be a real selling point.

Good quality restorations don't come cheap, and can run into thousands of pounds, particularly if you have to enlist the help of a specialist. Done well though, you can create an authentic style that appeals to family-free buyers such as the 20 and 30-something market.

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