Home Renovations That Can Make A Big Impact, According To Experts

One of the biggest home trends of this year that we’ve noticed is genuinely custom home design, and homeowners and designers alike are adopting this practice. In fact, Paulina Hospod and Albert Rutkowski, founders at AhA Interiors, say that in this challenging home landscape, making a home that truly works for them is one of the most significant deciding factors for homeowners who decide to renovate over buying new.

“Homeowners started to see more value in customizing homes,” they say. “Covid-19 and working from home changed many mindsets where homeowners now want to design their homes to their specific needs. It is hard to find something that you love top to bottom even in a new home. With the right team behind you, homeowners can purchase a home for less and use the rest of the budget to renovate their dream home.”

The price of buying a home is undoubtedly a factor as well, with more homeowners seeing the benefit—or the necessity—of staying in their current home, especially if they took advantage of lower interest rates a few years back.

“What was once supposed to be a starter home now may end up being a forever home—and many homeowners are strategically thinking about what they can do to renovate according to what they will need or want long term,” says Michael DiMartino, SVP of project services at Power Home Remodeling (POWER).

But not every reason is so financially or practically focused—renovations can be a lot of fun, too. And thanks to social media and dedication from companies in the industry, inspiration for renovation is easy to find.

“There are so many more resources available to homeowners than ever before when it comes to renovating a home,” DiMartino says. “The barrier to entry into home renovations has become less daunting and more approachable. When you renovate, you get the chance to make detailed choices, cater to your wants and needs and create a safe haven for your family. You get to make your home into what you want it to be. When you purchase a new home, the opportunity for this lessens.”

Home renovations can involve a lot of money and time, so you’ll want to take your time, do plenty of research and be sure you’re making the right decisions—both in terms of the projects you pick and the pros you choose to perform the renovations.

“Work with reputable remodeling companies that offer financing, transferable warranties and no money down,” suggests DiMartino.

The pros at AhA Interiors echoed this sentiment, also stating how important it is to communicate your budget to any contractor you work with and get them involved ASAP.

“Think of a reasonable budget and don’t be afraid to share it,” they say. “Many clients do not realize that if they provide me with a budget, it is that much easier for me to steer them into the right direction. I would also advise to get a designer or designer and a contractor team involved very early on. Some of our clients who renovated with us once before, for their second home, involve us in their house search process.”

Finally, thinking through the project, why you’re doing it and how it will help you feel more comfortable in your home is very important, says Matthew O’Grady, director at Thomas Matthew Kitchens & Furniture.

“Developing a thorough plan is also essential,” he notes. “This helps anticipate any issues and deal with them early on. It also makes solutions that are financially feasible possible. We make sure the project stays within the client’s budget and that the renovations increase the value of their house.”

1. Bathroom Upgrades

Focusing on the rooms you and your family use most frequently is a safe bet with any home renovation project, making upgrading bathrooms a top priority for many homeowners. If your bathroom looks like it belongs in a different decade, a full renovation may be in order, but there are plenty of options for smaller projects in this room that can make a major impact.

Jarrett Oakley, TOTO’s director of marketing, shared a variety of popular bathroom projects that help you see major changes without tearing down any walls. He pointed to replacing your vanity to change the room’s look and add more storage, as well as adding new flooring and lighting as popular bathroom projects that can level up the room. It’s important to note the order of operations here too: Hospod and Rutkowski note that big items like flooring should always come first.

But not all upgrades need to be so plainly practical: Both Oakley and Naomi Neilson, founder and CEO of Native Trails, pointed to a tub upgrade as a worthy project for many, especially those who like to wind down with a good soak.

“When space allows, ditching an older built-in bathtub for a beautiful, sculptural freestanding tub makes a huge visual impact, and can really be the key to transforming a standard bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary,” Neilson points out.

Fixtures generally are a good choice for upgrades, as Danielle DeBoe Harper, senior creative style manager at Moen, mentioned. She pointed to sinks as the focal point of the bathroom and kitchen (more on the latter in a second), and a place where you can express creativity. Taking advantage of the mixed metal trend or opting for a tall or ornate sink can all be fun options if you want to make a bit of a statement.

2. A Focus on Kitchens

Another obvious choice for home renovation projects is in the kitchen. This room is perhaps the most common one to receive a facelift, but knowing where to start and which projects to take on can be challenging.

“Kitchens are very impactful,” says Richard Davis from Remodeling Consultants LLC. “It’s the space we use the most in a home…Considering resale value in the future, it’s probably the most important space to a potential buyer as well. Kitchen remodels can be an overwhelming and stressful experience for people. Most would prefer to purchase a home with a newer kitchen so they don’t have to endure the hassle of renovating a kitchen, at least not immediately.”

Given this project’s resale value and potential ROI, many experts noted that you may want to consider putting more of your budget behind a kitchen renovation by upgrading more or all of the space. A common project is opening up the kitchen or generally making it bigger.

“In most older homes, the kitchen originally served primarily as a workspace; now we use kitchens as a gathering place for family and friends,” Stephen Pallrand, the owner of Home Front Build, points out. “How would a remodel that opens up the kitchen to an adjacent dining or living room make a difference in the way your family lives, interacts, entertains? Do you even still need a formal dining room—or can it be absorbed into the kitchen altogether?”

However, if your kitchen is still in fighting shape, but just needs a few new touches to make meal prep or Sunday dinner easier to whip up, upgrading your commonly used appliances like stoves, fridges and dishwashers can be great touches, as can redoing cabinets and flooring.

3. Health-Forward Changes

They may not come to mind right away when you think of renovations, but changes that can affect your health and your family’s health can be a worthy investment. And if considering your home materials doesn’t seem like a natural way to put your health first, Caleb Anderson of design studio Drake/Anderson notes that homeowners should think about just how much time they spend at home and how living in that environment can affect them and their health.

This goal can often be achieved in tandem with other home projects. Anderson suggests avoiding any products that contain Red List chemicals, or substances that have been determined to pose serious risks to human health and the environment by the Living Building Challenge organization. As of 2024, these include things like Bisphenol A (BPA), found in some polycarbonate plastics, and epoxy resins and organotin compounds, which are often used in the production of PVC, silicone rubber and polyurethane. Also on the list are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly in wet applications like paints and sealants.

Anderson notes that these changes don’t have to happen overnight, but you can start small and keep them in mind as you take on other projects

“Think about areas where you can easily make the most impact,” he suggests. “Paint, for example, has a huge impact on our health. I am a fan of mineral-based paints. They are gorgeous and healthy.”

In addition to avoiding certain materials, you may also want to consider additions like air purifiers, water filtration systems and improvements to your ventilation system as potential renovation projects.

4. Leveling Up the Exterior

Impactful home design doesn’t end at your front door: The exterior of your home deserves some love too. Whether you decide to upgrade the outside of your home because of some damaged siding, to give it a refreshed look or to boost your home’s value, it can be a worthwhile project.

“Generally speaking, curb appeal can be very important and impactful,” Davis says. “It’s the first impression we get when we see a house. The nicer and larger a home looks means a great deal for resale value later.”

One obvious outdoor upgrade is your home’s siding. Eleni Vydra, director of brand marketing at James Hardie, suggested a low-maintenance material like fiber cement siding and says homeowners should generally look for materials that can stand up to the weather in their given climate and match the aesthetics of their home.

Experts also suggested upgrading another big home feature on your home’s exterior: the roof. If your roof is reaching the end of its life or has been giving you issues, renovating it can be a wise investment whether you stay put for a while or want to sell.

“Ensuring your roof is not only beautiful but also secure can make it easier to sell your home, as most people don’t want to deal with costly roof repairs right after buying a house,” says Stephen Riale, CARE area manager at GAF.

It’s also worth considering all of the features not attached to your home: A backyard oasis can serve as an extra entertainment space, a relaxing hobby in the form of gardening or just an extra bit of appeal to any potential buyers.

“Outdoor spaces also deserve attention,” says interior designer Alice T. Chan of Freemodel, a pre-sale home renovation company. “Upgrading your backyard can effectively extend your home’s living space. Outdoor living areas offer a means to expand your home’s perceived size without increasing its footprint.”

Consider touches like redoing the hardscaping, upping your landscaping game with low-maintenance native plants or adding small additions like a paver patio. If you want to take on a big project, adding a larger deck or even a pool may be in the cards. And if ROI is your aim, you’re in luck here: The National Association of Realtors’ 2023 Remodeling Impact Report found 100% cost recovery on projects like upgrading your landscaping and adding an outdoor kitchen.

5. Big Design Impacts

Not every home project has to focus on a specific room or serve a specific function—sometimes you want a home refresh because your style has changed, some fading paint is finally getting to you or you’re ready to make a bigger statement in your home.

If you’ve always played it safe with your home design and are looking to go bolder, it can be a bit intimidating, so we rounded up some of our favourite advice from design experts about how they would make the biggest design impact possible. Kathleen Walsh, an interior designer in the Access to Design program at The New York Design Center, gave a few suggestions but said it ultimately comes down to your individual taste.

“Layers and intrigue [make a big impact],” she says. “We’re telling people’s stories and interpreting their dreams, so if it’s going to have an impact it needs to be meaningful to the client or it falls short. Textiles are evocative because they contain tactile memories, comfort and nuance. Patterns can be immersive in large doses or playful when varied and used liberally. The balance for every BIG moment is always a healthy combination that resonates with the homeowner.”

Interior designer Lindsay MacRae, who is also a part of the Access to Design program, gave some other bold suggestions: “Statement wallpaper with wood trim in a coordinating colour. Statement lighting fixtures. If the budget allows, custom wall murals. Also, painting all the walls, cabinetry and trim in a room the same bold colour. Then bring in fabrics with prints of various colours and scales. Lastly, large or bold patterns in small spaces (powder rooms, etc.) are always a win.”

If a bolder design sounds a bit outside your comfort zone, this tip from DeBoe Harper can help: Try combining more traditional and modern, bold styles in a way that feels uniquely you.

“When looking at kitchen and bathroom spaces, some of my favourite ways to make an impact are combining styles to create one unique design that helps homeowners encapsulate their own tastes and lifestyles,” she says. “Consumers can look toward fixtures that lean more transitional to meld together both traditional and modern pieces for a clean; comfortable; contemporary look or find traditional fixtures and décor that have bolder color palettes to make the space more modern and eclectic. This allows homeowners to choose the designs they want while still providing them with performance excellence.”

6. Creating a Space Unique to Your Family

If you couldn’t already tell, probably the biggest thing to keep in mind with any home renovation is your family’s unique needs. Considering the people who will actually live in your home and how you live will help create a space that works for you.

“One of the key elements in creating an impactful renovation is to consider how the space will be used,” O’Grady says. “In the wood shop, we say ‘Measure twice, cut once.’ That’s equally important in renovations. We need to understand the needs and lifestyle of those who will be inhabiting the space, and how they’ll interact with the renovated area.”

For instance, Davis pointed out the addition of “flex spaces” where people may work from home and help their children with their homework. These types of spaces can also evolve over the years as the needs of your family change.

Of course, it’s also important to keep resale value in mind, especially if you plan on selling your home in the next few years, but many ideas that appeal to you likely have appeal to potential buyers. For instance, if you’re a major home cook, we’ve already mentioned the big benefits of upgrading your kitchen. Opting for timeless styles like hardwood floors can add some major style to a room while being appealing to anyone. Universal home design, or designing a home to be accessible for people of different abilities and ages, can be a necessity for your family but will benefit anyone who eventually lives in the space.

However, while considering resale value is important, ultimately, putting your family first and really taking ownership of your home as long as you live there is vital.

“Whether you’re in a residence for only a few years or for a lifetime, I can’t stress how important it is to personally invest in your home,” says DiMartino. “Some homeowners fail to appreciate the value of their home or make the most of their home’s remodel if they consider it ‘temporary.’ Yet in actuality, homeowners should make the most of their home’s potential, no matter how long they expect to live in it. If a homeowner forgoes routine renovations for even as short as two to five years, they’d be surprised to learn that their house has actually decreased in value when it’s finally time to sell.”