If you feel that your house has lately been stuck in a rut, it might be time for some upgrades. Making new additions to your home has the dual benefit of improving your daily quality of life as well as increasing the value of your house. There is a near limitless array of options for how you can upgrade your house, which means knowing where to start with new additions can be tricky. Since everyone has different ideas for a perfect house, take a look at some options and see what inspires you. Check out this list of five potential upgrades you could make to your house this year to help spark your imagination and get some ideas flowing.

1. A Swimming Pool

A swimming pool is not only a great way to relax and have fun for the summer, it also gives your house's value a huge boost. If you have a large backyard and are unsure of what to do with all of the open space, adding a pool might be the way to go. Swimming pools can be an intimidating investment, but if you check with pool financing companies, you can find someone to make the experience painless. All of the fun and relaxation you can have with your new backyard pool next summer may be well worth the investment.

2. An Upgraded Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms of any house. If you find your kitchen is outdated or lacking, now might be the time for some renovations. Replace your cabinets, counters and appliances with newer and sleeker designs that fit your tastes. If you plan on spending more time cooking than usual, also consider upgrading your set of cookware. A remodeled kitchen could be the standout new room of your home, and as an added bonus, kitchens greatly increase the property value of your house as well.

3. More Open Space

Does the interior of your house feel cramped and cluttered? Try breaking down excess walls to free up the space of your floor plan. Opening up the rooms of your house grants you more space and can remedy that cramped feeling. With wide open spaces, you will be free to decorate and remodel rooms as you see fit. As an example, if your basement has a smaller closed room, opening up that room will allow you more space to expand the basement and add games and entertainment for you and your guests.

4. Solar Panels

Taking an environmentally conscious approach to your home has many benefits. By adding solar panels to your house, you can cut back on your power usage as well as do your part toward helping the environment. After the initial investment of solar panel installation for your house, the amount of power you save will end up benefiting your expenses in the long run. Going green with your house also helps modernize your home and gives you a great advantage in the marketplace should you choose to sell your house in the future. 

5. Flowers and Landscaping

The exterior of your house is the first thing anybody sees. By adding greenery and flowers to the outside of your house, you can create a pleasing and inviting appearance to your home, making a great first impression for visitors. Just like decorating the inside of your house, decorating the outside has a near infinite endless number of possibilities and can be taken in many different directions. Let your artistic side flow and plan out some great outdoor designs for the front of your house. If you maintain good landscaping to keep your front lawn fresh and welcoming, your house may become the most eye catching one in your neighborhood.

With these five upgrades in mind, you might have a better idea of the vast possibility of additions to your home. Be creative and above all else, have fun with improving your home.