Before we examine the top 7 home renovations with the best ROIs, it’s important to realize that there is no “one size fits all” answer to this question. What plays in Peoria — or earns a great resale value in Virginia City — may not work that well in another region of the country.

In fact, many factors can affect your resale value and how much of the cost of your project you can expect to recoup when you sell your house: climate and weather, your specific neighborhood, the housing market in general, local events and economic factors, and more.

Additionally, resale value should never be your only consideration when deciding whether to go forward with any kind of home improvement project. If you’re planning to continue living in your home, your future enjoyment of the improvement and your house in general should also be considered.

That being said, it’s definitely a good idea to include your potential return on such a substantial investment in the mix when you’re making home improvement decisions. So let’s take a look at the 7 projects that earn back the most in resale value for savvy homeowners.

These are the Top 7 home renovations That will pay off in resale

1. Fix Up the Attic

Surprised? The champion home renovation project where ROI is concerned is fixing up your attic. Whether it’s simply adding fiberglass insulation to your home’s attic (108% of the cost recouped on resale) or converting the entire space to an additional bedroom (93.5%), attic improvements bear great dividends.

And remember, this is just about resale value and cost recoupment. It doesn’t include additional energy savings (in the case of installing insulation) or the significant increase in usable square feet in your home.

2. Mini-Makeover on a Bathroom

At 102% of its cost recouped on resale, a minor bathroom improvement project can more than earn back the project costs.

Here, we’re talking about smaller projects — replacing a fixture, for example, or swapping out old, tired flooring for a new set of tiles.

You don’t have to replace the tub to spruce it up, though. Re-caulking and re-glazing for a new finish can also freshen up your bathroom’s look, as can a fresh coat of paint or wallpaper.

3. Improve Your Landscaping

Don’t neglect your yard! An overhaul of your home’s landscaping can earn back the full cost of the project at 100%.

With costs ranging anywhere from a few hundred for plants from your local garden center to $3000 or more for a full-blown professional landscape design, there’s a wide range of improving you can do to your great outdoors.

If you’re not the outdoors-y type, and don’t have the budget for a professional designer, start with your favorite big-box garden center or local nursery. They’ll often sponsor free workshops and design services.

4. Improve Your Home’s Exterior

While we’re thinking outside the box, take a look at your home’s facade, as well. Repairing or replacing old, worn-out vinyl siding or chipping paint, updating your porch and outdoor entry space, and freshening up the shingles can all greatly increase your home’s curb appeal

And at an average return on resale of 95.5%, it’s a sound investment in your home.

Just plan carefully before you begin, and explore new materials for even better results. For example, wrought-iron railings make for a more attractive entryway than boring old wood supports.

5. Tweak Your Kitchen

Great news: if you want to give your kitchen a new look, but aren’t interested in a complete overhaul, even a minor tweak to the busiest room in your house can earn you up to 98% on resale.

New countertops, re-facing for your old cabinets, and swapping out old, clunky appliances for more energy-efficient models will all help you recoup the cost of improvement, and perhaps even save you additional money in electricity costs going forward.

You can also give your kitchen a budget-friendly makeover with new flooring and improved lighting fixtures.

6. Overhaul a Bathroom

If your bathroom needs more than a simple spruce-up job, a major renovation can earn you 93% on resale.

Relocate or replace your major fixtures, or swap out an open or curbless shower for an old-fashioned tub. Upgrade to a ceramic tile floor and replace the exhaust fan.  Swap out old counters for a cleaner one to give your old vanity a whole new, more contemporary look.

7. Swap Out Front Door for Steel

For a low-cost improvement with a high-sale recoupment percentage of almost 91%, consider swapping out your old, existing door for a steel model, perhaps with decorative window panels at the top for added visual appeal.

Doors like this will cost around $1000-1500, and earn back about $900-1200 on average, so they almost pay for themselves.

Bonus: This is a simple job that won’t take a lot of time to accomplish, and if you select the right color, it can add an eye-catching visual element to your home’s exterior as well.

Ready … Set … Renovate!

If you’d like to spruce up your home, but aren’t sure which project to start with, why not consult with a qualified, experienced home contractor in your area today?

trying to decide between kitchen styles for your remodel? Here are the 5 most popular

1. Cottage

Cottage style is all about cozying up to natural elements and tones. White is a classic choice, but really any hues can work if you keep the overall aesthetic on the muted, neutral side — for example, pale greys and taupes.

Another key feature is eclecticism, which you can achieve simply by pairing up unexpected styles — say, a table from one style paired with chairs from another — or mismatched chairs, for that matter, perhaps tied together with fabric or paint.

If cabinetry is overwhelming, it can throw off a cottage kitchen design. Instead, consider glass-fronted or open shelving to lighten up the look. Wooden floors and pendant lighting will help complete the cozy cottage look.

2. Modern

The key to modern design: simplified, dramatic color schemes and a sleek aesthetic. Black, white, and stainless are popular, but modern doesn’t mean “clinical and cold.” Warm up the basics with accent colors that pop. Think citrus — lime green, bright orange — and incorporate it with rugs, kitchen towels, artwork, bowls, or appliances.

Flooring should be kept understated and clean. Concrete is a solid choice, but geometric tiles can also work. If you’re not a fan of the black, white, and steel motif, try blond wood for your cabinetry and accessorize with a cool accent color.

As for materials, you can go natural and earthy (wood and steel) or molded plastic (think sleek eggshell-toned high-backed bar stools or chairs).

3. Contemporary

Contemporary is about what’s current today. So, while tones of taupe, brown, cream, and white work just fine in both modern and contemporary aesthetics, you want a fresher approach with contemporary style. Consider changing one wall or panel to a bright accent color.

As for materials, use wood strategically. Either keep the wood light-toned and minimally grained, such as birch or maple, or go with darker woods (walnut, cherry) but pair with predominantly white or cream tones.

Glass is another popular choice. You can create an easy bit of texture and visual interest by selecting a frosted glass for table tops or cabinet fronts. Brushed nickel, chrome, and stainless steel are dependable contemporary touches.

4. Country

“Country style” can encompass a huge variety of looks, colors, and materials, but the overriding aesthetic is warm, comfortable, and rustic. Color schemes can range from cheerful and busy to sedate and earth-toned. A wide range of patterns from florals to checks and plaids can also work nicely here.

For materials, think exposed brick and wood, whether stained, painted, or au naturel. Depending on the size of the room and whether it’s an open floor plan, you may find that too much medium to dark toned wood overpowers the room. Lighten things up elsewhere, perhaps with white or neutral walls. Antiqued brass and pewter fixtures can also work nicely.  

5. Classic

Classic style never goes out of style – that’s why we call it “classic”! Elements for this timeless style include marble-topped counters and island surfaces together with classic raised-panel cabinetry in darker woods (think walnut, cherry). Pair cabinetry with brushed nickel or brass hardware to lighten things up a bit.

While color schemes tend towards neutral, there’s nothing that says you can’t embrace bolder colors for wall paint, such as a deep red or hunter green, although those colors may be overpowering in a smaller kitchen. You can also go all-white, and even extend it as far as the cabinetry itself, but pair it with darker-toned appliances — steel or black, for example — to add some depth. 

Feel inspired yet? See our Kitchens board on Pinterest for more amazing examples of kitchen styles for your remodel, and if you already have a project in mind, contact us today to build the kitchen of your dreams.

Whether your kitchen is big or a small, there’s a lot of options to make your renovation special.  What’s does your dream kitchen look like – modern, country, classical, contemporary, dark or light cabinets, tile, wood, granite or quartz countertop? 

Take a look at these styles for kitchen design inspiration

CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN DESIGN

A clean and sleek design is a must to accomplish a contemporary kitchen design. Keep in mind that the refrigerator, sink, oven and stove are also key components.

SMALL CONDO KITCHEN

This is a fun kitchen to make, and it’s all in the details. The brick wall is what first catches your attention.  The gray cabinets, matching the countertop along with the wine rack and the kitchen signs make this small condo kitchen a warm and inviting place to spend plenty of time.

MODERN KITCHEN DESIGN

The best part of a modern kitchen is feeling free to play with the design. Step out-of-the-box and use at least two tones of cabinets, as in this kitcken the top cabinets are red and the bottom navy blue.  And to add a bit of fun to the household, use a wall as a chalkboard to write inspirational messages. 

COTTAGE KITCHEN

A cottage kitchen inspires nothing more than carefree living and a cozy ambience which your family will love to spend time in. When remodeling your kitchen to a cottage design consider soft colors, wood, a mix of open & closed shelves, farmhouse sinks, wood floors and pendant lighting.

RUSTIC KITCHEN

A rustic kitchen is for those whom truly enjoy cooking and entertaining.  A list of must elements will create your rustic kitchen design: brick, wood backdrops, wood exposed beams, colored appliances, arches in the design, vintage-style cabinets., wood countertops, fireboxes, antique brass or copper faucet., exposed hanging pots.

CLASSIC KITCHEN

No need to define your kitchen with a certain style, a good-old classic kitchen is always warm and inviting. Keep the cabinets simple, neutral colors, granite or quartz, nice tiled backsplash and stainless steel appliances always look great.

Find more kitchen design inspiration in these 5 popular styles.