If home is where the heart is, Americans are spending millions of dollars every year to make their homes more comfortable -- with renovations in every room, from the living room and bathroom to the master bathroom.

A home is more than just a place where people live; it's also where people invest millions of dollars in upgrades every year. More than 1 million homes undergo major remodeling each year, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

And no room in the home is more popular to renovate than the kitchen.

According to the 2007 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, kitchens retain 78.1 percent of their value. That figure is second to outdoor decks, which retain 84.5 percent of their value, according to the report.

An updated kitchen isn't an option. These days it's a necessity. Buyers expect homes to have accoutrements such as granite kitchen countertops, custom-made kitchen cabinets, appealing kitchen designs and other high-end features.

It's easy to see why. Kitchens have become the gathering room of the 21st century and owners are willing to spend tens of thousands of dollars to upgrade them.

Whether it's kitchen cabinets in varying wood combinations to ornate kitchen designs with granite and other natural materials, the sky is the limit when it comes to renovations in this all-important room in the home.

Also popular is patio renovations. Outdoor patio furniture has come a long way. Indoor furniture has come outdoors, with outdoor garden furniture just as attractive as furniture that you'd find inside the home.

Master bath renovations remain popular, with many owners upgrading bedding, sheets and bed linens along with improvements to get the biggest bang out of their remodeling dollar.

No matter the room, remodeling your home will pay off. Dollar for dollar, home renovations can pay off big time, with higher reselling costs when owners sell their home.

Renovations consistently provide the best return on a home's investment. Studies have found that home remodeling projects pay off in a big way, especially in a buyers' market, because renovations are one of the quickest ways to sell a home in any real estate market.

Selling a home or not, home renovations make sense. Consider these facts, according to the 2007 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report:

Decks retain 85.4 percent of their value. Kitchens retain 78.1 percent of their value. Bathrooms retail 78.3 percent of their value.