HUNTSVILLE LIVING | NOVEMBER 2024 | 9
The most popular rooms to remodel
Home improvement trends come and go . In a testament to that reality , the wildly popular open floor plan concepts that have dominated homeowners ’ desires over the last decade-plus could be falling out of favor , a shift that Rachel Stults of Realtor . com linked to the COVID-19 pandemic in a 2023 interview with Business Insider . Stults noted open floor plans will likely exhibit some measure of staying power , but linked the shift toward more traditional layouts to COVID lockdowns and the desire for more privacy among residents .
The shift away from open floor plans is a testament to the fleeting nature of home renovation trends .
But trends still deserve a place at the table among real estate investors and homeowners who want to renovate their homes with an eye on projects that could be most appealing to prospective buyers . As homeowners balance their own preferences with those that might help them sell their homes down the road , they can consider this list of the most popular rooms to renovate , courtesy of the “ 2024 U . S . Houzz & Home Study ” from Houzz Research . 1 . Kitchen 2 . Guest bathroom 3 . Primary bathroom 4 . Living room 5 . Guest bedroom 6 . Primary bedroom 7 . Laundry room 8 . Closet 9 . Dining room 10 . Home office When considering renovating these or other rooms , homeowners should know that Houzz researchers found that the median spend increased for most interior room upgrades compared to the previous year . However , the median cost to upgrade living rooms and home offices remained unchanged .
DO pay attention to the details . Planning a bathroom renovation can be overwhelming , as homeowners have many decisions to make before the project even begins . For example , homeowners will have to choose a vanity , fixtures for the vanity , light fixtures , toilet , showerhead , and an assortment of additional features when planning the project . Contractors work with clients to show them all of their options , and some will offer advice on products or materials if asked . But homeowners are ultimately the ones who will have to live with the choices they make during the planning process , so these details merit ample consideration and should not be treated as trivial .
DON ’ T emphasize cost over quality . Homeowners should do their best to establish a renovation budget and stay within that budget , but quality materials should take precedence over cost . Many budget-friendly furnishings and accessories are durable and aesthetically appealing , so homeowners need not enter a bathroom renovation thinking high-end products are their only options . But it ’ s important that homeowners recognize the conventional wisdom that buyers get what they pay for when it comes to home renovations . If homeowners try to cut costs on materials , they may need to update or redo the bathroom much sooner than they would if they invest in quality furnishings and accessories the first time around .
Bathroom renovations can be costly . Remembering some simple dos and don ’ ts can give homeowners the peace of mind that their renovation investment will result in an impressive , durable space .
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | NOVEMBER 2024 | 9