More homeowners are tackling remodeling projects, but are they choosing the projects that could increase a home’s resale value on top of adding enjoyment? The latest remodeling surveys show you may not need to overhaul your kitchen or invest in a top-notch bathroom renovation to make the biggest impact.
Even simple projects — like swapping out a front door — can offer strong returns at resale. That was one of the findings from the “2025 Remodeling Impact Report,” based on a survey conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. In fact, some projects return every dollar poured into the upgrade.
Prioritizing Home Remodeling Projects
Americans spent an estimated $603 billion on remodeling their homes last year, according to the NAR report.
Their top motivations for remodeling:
- Upgrade the home’s worn-out surface finishes and materials (27%)
- Improve energy efficiency (19%)
- Desire a change (18%)
- Plan to sell their home within the next two years (18%)
Many homeowners are prioritizing large-scale house projects — often taking on two to three at a time. Fifty-four percent used a home equity loan or line of credit, 29% tapped into their savings, and 10% used credit cards, NAR data shows. Could homeowners be at risk of upgrading their home too much?
“You want to keep up with the Joneses, but you don’t want to beat the Joneses” when remodeling your home, says Angie Hicks, cofounder of Angi. You can update your house to the point its value soars above similar neighboring homes. “In thinking of remodeling projects for your house, a real estate agent is going to be a great person to talk to,” Hicks says. “They know what sells.” Plus, they can recommend reputable contractors.
Make a list of your priorities, Hicks advises. Group them into structural (walls, roofs, etc.); mechanical (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.); and dream projects (kitchen or bathroom remodel, new deck, etc.). Then, compare your list to your budget. “Make sure you do the things that have to be done before you do the things that you’d love to have,” Hicks says.
8 Home Remodeling Projects to Fit Any Budget
Investing in smart remodeling projects can not only make you happy but also help your home appeal to buyers. Nearly half — 46% — of home buyers surveyed in the NAR report say they’re less willing to compromise on a home’s condition when purchasing.
The NAR report compared the estimated cost of popular home remodeling projects to real estate professionals’ estimates of the likely dollar value at resale for each project. Here are the top projects and their estimated cost recovery at resale:
- New steel front door: 100%
- Closet renovation: 83%
- New fiberglass front door: 80%
- New vinyl windows: 74%
- New wood windows: 71%
- Basement conversion to living area: 71%
- Attic conversion to living area: 67%
- Complete kitchen renovation: 60%
- Minor kitchen upgrade: 60%
- Bathroom addition: 56%
- New primary suite: 54%
- Bathroom renovation: 50%
If your budget and return on investment are priorities, consider these home remodeling ideas:
Home Remodel Idea: Front Door
Just swapping out an old front door for a new one can make a big difference in a home’s curb appeal. The NAR report shows an upfront expense could offer every bit back at resale. A new steel front door offers a 100% cost recovery, and a new fiberglass front door, an 80% cost recovery.
Black is a popular front door color, according to window and door industry professionals surveyed by Fixr. Black painted doors offer an “elegant and modern style that matches any siding color, enhancing a home’s curb appeal, which is important when selling your property,” Fixr notes.
Home Remodel Idea: Closet Renovation
Expanding your living space doesn’t always mean adding square footage. Storage can be a valued addition. Closet and storage manufacturers report an uptick in projects like mudrooms, pantries, laundry room storage, and closet systems, according to the “Closets State of the Industry 2025 Report,” conducted by “Closets & Organized Storage” magazine. Indeed, a closet renovation could offer an 83% return on the upfront cost at resale and is one of the top remodeling projects the NAR report identified.
The closets 2025 report lists the following most popular closet additions:
- Accent lighting
- Decorative hardware
- Glass doors
- Hampers and sliding baskets
- Jewelry tray inserts
Home Remodel Idea: A Fresh Coat of Paint
Painting has long been known as an affordable home remodel idea that can significantly improve a home’s appearance. Painting the entire home or even one room is the most common project real estate agents recommend to make properties more marketable, according to the NAR report. Not only that, a freshly painted space can make you feel good, according to the report.
So, what color should you paint? “Whites continue to be popular, but certainly we are transitioning to warmer tones, like beiges and khakis,” says Emily Kantz, color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams. “Greens have also emerged as more of a neutral lately.”
Best Colors When Selling a Home
More than 60 top home staging and design professionals surveyed by Fixr identified the best paint colors to attract potential home buyers when selling a home. Their findings may give you some color inspiration based on their findings.
Top colors for home’s living area:
- Soft or warm whites: 85%
- Greige: 28%
- Beige: 24%
- Taupe: 18%
- Blush, earthy tones: 12%
Top colors for a bedroom:
- Warm neutrals: 76%
- Soft or warm whites: 42%
- Earthy greens: 25%
- Cool blues: 18%
- Blush tones: 10%
Home Remodel Idea: Minor Kitchen Updates
More homeowners are prioritizing remodeling their kitchen, along with roofs and bathrooms, according to real estate professionals surveyed by the NAR report. Kitchen remodels are usually more expensive, although they’re the top project credited by homeowners as giving them joy.
That said, you don’t have to spend a lot. “It’s little things that can make a big difference,” Hicks says. For example, if your cabinets are outdated but still in good shape, you can reface them, swap out the cabinet fronts and drawers, or just paint them, Hicks says. “White and even blue are popular,” she says.
Another way to save on costs: two-tone cabinets. “White provides a timeless look in a kitchen, and homeowners still favor that color, but a quarter of renovators are contrasting the upper and lower cabinets,” says Marine Sargsyan, staff economist for the home remodeling site Houzz. She says white tends to be popular for the upper cabinets, and the lower cabinets will be darker, like in a wood tone or painted in green or blue for a contrast. For an even simpler way to upgrade the kitchen, paint the kitchen island different color than the rest of the cabinets — for example, in blue and green. The combo is popular among remodelers, Sargsyan says.
Home Remodel Idea: Refinishing Hardwood Floors
One of the top remodeling projects that can increase homeowners’ satisfaction with their home is new wood flooring, according to the NAR report. It’s a priority, too, with more than one in 10 homeowners saying they plan to focus on flooring upgrades in their remodels this year, according to Angi’s “State of Home Spending Report.” But ripping out floors can be costly. Homeowners with hardwood floors may be able to save what they have by stepping up maintenance or with a refinish.
Hardwood floors that look dull or are damaged can be revived by refinishing them, says Shawna Eikenberry, owner of Footprints Floors Raleigh. “You can change the color for an on-trend look,” she says. “We’re doing a lot of natural wood finishes with no color added.”
Home Remodel Idea: Minor Bathroom Renovation
Homeowners also rate bathroom renovations highly for bringing them joy, according to the NAR report. But bathroom remodels can be expensive, too, costing on average $15,000, and easily increasing depending on the extent of changes.
Choose projects that don’t involve moving plumbing or taking out walls, Hicks says. Consider smaller scale updates, which can sometimes be completed for $200 to $5,000.
Home Remodel Idea: A New Garage Door
One way to spruce up your home’s curb appeal is to upgrade the garage door. They may not sound fancy, but garage door replacements have frequently rated high for ROI potential at resale in NAR’s Remodeling Impact Reports. Further, a new garage door can help homeowners feel better about their homes, the 2025 report finds.
Experts say it’s important to choose a style that complements your home’s architecture. The 2025 trends report from national garage supplier Amarr lists these trends:
- Glass garage doors: An ultra sleek and contemporary look that can incorporate large or smaller sections of glass panels.
- Steel garage doors: A clean, modern look known for being a durable and cost-effective choice
- Wood or faux wood door: A more traditional, rustic choice that offers a “homey, pastoral vibe.”
Home Remodel Idea: New Landscaping
Landscaping upgrades may offer 100% cost recovery at resale, according to NAR’s 2023 “Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features.” The report defined landscaping updates as adding two stone planters and installing a front walkway of natural flagstone, at least five flowering shrubs, at least one deciduous 15-foot tree, and mulch.
Softscaping refers to the planting of trees, grasses, shrubs, flowers, and other plants to enhance a landscape. The following are softscape options and price ranges from Fixr’s “Landscaping Cost Guide.”
- Shrub planting: $25 to $50
- Tree planting: $150 to $300
- Tree pruning: $350 to $650
- Tree removal: $400 to $900
- Lawn seeding: $550to $1,500
- Flower bed installation: $1,000 to $3,000
- Sod installation: $5,800 to $7,200
Whatever your budget, there’s a home remodeling project that’s affordable for you, meets your needs, and can add value when it’s time to sell. That’s an investment worth considering.