Improving your abode can be one of the most rewarding ways to invest your money. Doing so gives you the opportunity to not only reshape your daily life but also boost your home’s resale value.

The main caveat is that renovations can be costly, and these expenses can add up fast. According to HomeGuide, a whole-house remodel can run you as much as $100,000 on average, a staggering amount that’s greater than a 20 percent down payment on the average new home. And even if you’re planning on improving a single room, such as the bathroom or kitchen, you may still rack up five-figure costs.

The key to enjoying household improvements without risking taking on debt or draining your savings is to act smart. Here are five ways that you can invest in the place you occupy while still preserving your funds.

1. Set a budget

First of all, you’ll need to establish a top dollar amount that you must not pass, communicate this figure with any contractors you speak to, and agree with any other decision-maker in your home that you will not exceed it. Consider agreeing to a lower amount early so you have wiggle room in case unexpected expenses arise. For example, when finishing your basement, you might identify the need for improved insulation.

Be realistic about what you can afford now and which projects you should wait on based on their average typical cost; you can usually find out on sites like Angi what you can expect to pay based on the project you’re planning.

2. Save early

Consider opening a separate savings account for your project, setting aside funds in a high-yield one or a product like a money market fund that you do not withdraw from unless absolutely necessary (i.e., you need to pay for a more vital expense like sudden medical bills).

Set aside a portion of your income each month, and continue paying into it even as you kick off a reno project. You may want to make future updates and maintenance, after all.

3. Prioritize function over style

Not every trendy look is necessarily right for your home. In fact, investing in certain updates may be financially unwise in the long run. For example, installing wooden countertops could seem like a great style choice, but this material is high-maintenance. So if you aren’t dedicated to upkeep you could find yourself needing to replace it sooner than expected.

As you plan your renovations, prioritize changes that improve livability, convenience, and the longevity of your home while also sticking to your budget. Although optional high-end finishes, like luxe hardware and light fixtures, might seem appealing, they may not be worth the price since they will only offer aesthetic advantages rather than practical ones (and there could be lower-cost look-alikes out there).

4. Shop salvage

If you’re working with a tight budget, consider buying from a secondhand or discount store. These are excellent places to find more affordable furniture, fixtures, and even building materials, including gently used and like-new goods.

Even if you aren’t pinching pennies, turning to salvage can help you apportion fewer funds to the features that matter less to you and more money to the ones that do. For instance, if your idea of a dream kitchen is a marble-laden paradise, you can splurge on the stone and find new cabinetry and faucets at a reuse center.

5. Consider resale value

Remember that the choices you make should make sense both now and in the future. To improve your home’s resale value, invest in renovations that offer high buyer appeal, like a finished backyard deck, smart appliances, and solar panels. Making such changes could ensure that your investment pays off in the future, offering you better livability now and greater profits when you hand over the keys someday.