After years of thinking about it, you’re finally ready to move forward. You’re finally ready to remodel your home’s kitchen or bathroom. There’s just one question: where do you start?

For many homeowners, kitchen and bathroom remodels can feel slightly intimidating. There’s so many decisions to make and things to complete. Don’t let your upcoming renovation overwhelm you! In this article, we’ll walk you through several ways to start thinking about your remodel that will maximize your return-on-investment (ROI) and help things run smoothly.

Prioritize your ROI

On average, U.S. homeowners spend about $22,000 on remodeling their kitchen and around $19,000 renovating their master bathrooms. That’s a significant upfront investment, but the results are typically worth it: both projects have a relatively high ROI, at 80.5% and 70.1%, respectively. You can push that return even higher. By prioritizing your ROI above all else, you can lower your upfront investment while maximizing the home value boost that comes with completing a major remodel.

To accomplish this, you need to stick to the essentials. In your kitchen, this means finding high-quality countertops and cabinets at the right price. Talk to your remodeling contractor to see if they can get you a great deal on quality granite and quartz countertops. In the bathroom, put the time and money into renovating the shower and avoid costly “extras” like an expensive bathtub.

In both spaces, always be thinking about the next homeowner. You want to love your new kitchen or bathroom, but you don’t want it to be a space only you’ll love. Stay within the design mainstream while adding personal accents and touches to make it your own. Walls can always be repainted—an eclectic countertop is pricier to replace.

Make the most of small improvements

Once you’ve priced all the major items out, you’re only going to have a couple hundred dollars left over for accessories, decor, and other features. By making the most out of these small improvements, you can put the finishing touches on your renovation.

First, there’s paint. Inexpensive and easy, it’s one of the best things you can add to your new kitchen or bathroom. Add paint near the end of the project when it’s less likely it will be damaged in the renovation process.

Many homeowners overlook lighting. Light changes our perception of space, and outdated lighting isn’t going to do your new kitchen or bathroom any favors. Work with a professional to hang new pendant lights over your kitchen island and install new under-cabinet lighting above your beautiful countertops. If your kitchen or bathroom has access to natural light through a window or skylight, take advantage of that: your home will never look better than it does in natural sunlight!

Know your own limits

We live in a DIY-friendly world. Want to tile your own bathroom? There are literally hundreds of online videos and walkthrough guides showing you how to do just that. It’s never been easier for homeowners to pick up that screwdriver, paint brush, or hammer and get to work.

This freedom comes with responsibilities, however. It’s important for you, as a homeowner, to know when you’re not cut out to take on a particular project or repair. You’re not admitting defeat: you’re recognizing when something is outside of your wheelhouse and better handled by a professional.

Take plumbing, for instance. There’s a good chance that your kitchen and bathroom remodeling plans involve some degree of plumbing work. If you decide to try doing this work yourself, you could save the money you would have otherwise spent hiring an experienced and licensed plumber. But, there’s a tradeoff: you also run the risk of making plumbing mistakes that one day can lead to a water leak. When the stakes are high, you need to work with an expert, whether they’re a plumber, electrician, or general contractor.

Start planning your project

Let’s call a spade-a-spade: many homeowners put off remodeling because they find the entire process a bit intimidating. It’s not just about the upfront investment: there’s just so much to think about and plan. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and call a locally trusted remodeling contractor. There’s nothing better than having an experienced guide who can walk you through the renovation process, answer your questions, and take care of hiring subcontractors and other specialists. In short, it’s a game-changer.

Ready to move forward with your kitchen or bathroom remodel? We’ve only scratched the surface in this article. For more helpful home renovation tips, check out this infographic.