The Most Valuable Renovation Projects in the US (and How to Do Them)

Renovating your home can be daunting, especially when it comes to deciding which projects are worth investing in. With so many options available for potential upgrades, it's hard to know what will provide the most value. To simplify the process, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most valuable renovation projects you can do in your home. We also give you some examples of how you can do them yourself! 

Homes with a laundry area sell for $32,138 above the nation’s median list price of $397,862. 

Renovating your laundry area can bring a number of benefits, including improved efficiency and convenience. A well-thought-out laundry renovation will make the space more useful by optimizing storage and layout. This can reduce the amount of time spent on chores and increase the overall productivity in the room. 

Joelle Uzyelis a luxury interior designer who showcases an extraordinary laundry area on herTikTok. The dog station has an oak counter that contrasts with matte gray cabinets and drawers containing all your dogs’ supplies. Just past the first washer and dryer set is a dog-washing area with textured gray walls and a large drained shower area for your furry friend. A smaller tub for handwashing is available for more delicate items and the space has an additional washer and dryer set along with a fabulous island to do your folding. It doesn’t get much better than this!

Allison Bickerstaffoffers an elegant laundry area renovation idea on herTikTok. There, she demonstrates how to make the space more enjoyable. Starting with a soothing sage green color for a single wall, she then uses some plywood from Lowes for shelves and adds in arolling storage cartfrom Target. Finishing off the look is a variety of wicker baskets and clear jars. Allison truly succeeds in elevating the room in terms of both functionality and aesthetic appeal.  

Homes with ceramic floors sell for $73,088 above the nation’s median list price of $397,862. 

Ceramic floors are a great choice for any home. They offer a number of benefits, including durability, ease of cleaning, and resistance to moisture damage. Installing ceramic tile can add value to your property both aesthetically and financially due to its popularity amongst homebuyers and long lifespan—ceramic tile can easily last 75-100 years! 

London MosaiconPinterestspecializes in Victorian floor tiles as well as contemporary geometric schemes. They offer full customization on designs and stock a large range of high-quality ceramic tiles suitable for interior and exterior use. At a thickness of 9mm, they are not only decorative but robust.

@hollybushhomeon Insta shows off how elegant ceramic tiles can look even when paired with a minimal color palette. Neutral hues and clean lines provide modern elegance and a ceramic floor delivers the kind of durability that’s appealing to many homebuyers.

Stoneandtileshoppe.comoffers a 18x18” Arenella Off White Ceramic Tile for$1.59per square foot. ThisvideofromBest Online Cabinetsshows how to install ceramic tiles while keeping them level and using the smallest grout line possible.

Homes with an eat-in area sell for $26,739 above the nation’s median list price of $397,862. 

An eat-in kitchen is a kitchen with a designated space in the home for meals and snacks. It can be as simple as an eating nook or as elaborate as a full kitchen dining room. Eat-in areas are becoming more popular because they provide an opportunity to bring people together, creating an inviting atmosphere for conversations and shared meals. They also allow homeowners to use their space more efficiently by combining the kitchen and dining room into one multifunctional area.

Renovating an eat-in area can increase the aesthetic appeal of the space. It can also add more seating and provide a better layout that maximizes useability.

Serenity meets luxury in this exquisitely designed eat-in kitchen fromKabieva Bahyton Insta. Statement light fixtures mesmerize against cool, muted hues. Added architectural touches hint at neoclassical inspiration. It’s a timeless space that’s sure to delight guests. Get the look with this similar styleBernardi Ceiling Lampor thisKohler Lighting Drum Chandelierand enhance your ceiling withcrown molding. Paint your cabinets with Benjamin Moore’sFeather Gray, and embellish with minimal,gold-colored cabinet hardware. Installing a signature curved range hood fromCopperSmithcreates an attractive focal point, whileCalcutta Oro Marblepromises an elegant choice for a contrasting backsplash. Purchasing theseCaracole chairsis the perfect complement for around, marble-topped table.

Japandi Interior onInstamelds Japanese aesthetics with Scandinavian practicality in this chic eat-in that contrasts organic forms against a geometric, neutral backdrop, showing that one eye-catching furniture concept and light fixture can bring a whole space together without much additional fuss. For your own home, consider purchasing a light fixture such as thisKenza Dimmable Pendant lightwhich reviewers praise for its easy installation.Changing up the backsplashis a piece of cake withmarble-patterned contact paperavailable for just $3.75 per square foot. Install four sets of these inexpensivetwo-door kitchen cabinetsand forego the hardware for a minimal look. No need to spend thousands on designer furniture, just look for round shapes like thesemid-century inspired chairsfrom Target and pair them witha black kitchen tableandwhite, contrasting centerpiecesfrom Overstock.

Renovating a home office has many benefits, both practical and financial. Practically speaking, redoing this area will provide an improved workspace with more efficient storage solutions and better-suited furniture for the specific needs of the user, resulting in increased productivity as well as greater comfort while working from home. 

Texture, detail, and inspired lighting abound in this elegant home office fromKaren AspreaonInsta. Achieve a similar result for your own space by installingglamorous shelving, purchasing anupscale deskandcoffee table, rolling out acasually patterned floor-covering, and hanging a trio ofgold-and-crystal chandeliers. Adding wall coverings thatmimic fiberandgraniteprovide an appropriate backdrop for dark hues andmetallic accents. Want additional ceiling embellishment? Installingthis crown moldingallows you to easily employ LED lighting above your space to produce a subtle, indirect glow.

This coastal-inspired office fromMelissa BristowonInstasoothes with dark walls that contrast with wood-like floors. Creating this look can be accomplished by painting your home office with a dark, eggshell interior paint similar toBenjamin Moore’s Baby Seal Black. Install ample cabinets and shelveslike theseto provide storage orpurchase a few bookshelvesand line them against the wall for a simpler approach. You can also add3 ⅜” wide crown moldingto bring a touch of finesse to the ceiling.Vinyl plank floorsmake for aneasy DIY projectand when topped by ageometric-patterned rugand amid-century modern desk, the result is a nice mix of cozy and professional sure to inspire productivity while maintaining comfort.

Investing in landscape improvements can go beyond just aesthetic benefits, they offer financial benefits as well. According to professor Mark S. Henry at Clemson University, leveling up your landscaping could increase your home’s value by28%. Depending on what type of plants/trees/shrubs you choose, these renovations reduce energy bills by as much as$250 per yearthanks to added shade during summer months. Both landscaping and features such as pools, fountains, and pergolas can add a level of visual impact to your property that can’t be understated, enhancing your lifestyle and backyard enjoyment.

A spectacular fountain and pergola make this backyard space fromCM & CoonInstaa one-of-a-kind poolside experience. Buildhigh wallsfor privacy and embellish them withsolar-powered light fixtures. Addingplants,wicker furniture, andsolar lanternswill keep the area cozy. You can construct your own rain curtain by following the instructions on thisstep-by-step videofromThe Best How To By Clem, or purchase anyattractive pergolaand add arain nozzleor waterfall attachment likethis onefrom Sheer Water Designs. 

Reece and Paul known as@littleedwardianon Insta show how they made the most of a smallbackyard renovation.To transform your own yard, considerbuilding a privacy fence,erecting simple trelliswork,installing raised planters, spreadinggravel, and purchasing a few well-placedfurniture piecesthat can be painted to match your aesthetic. Adark fenceprovides contrast tolight-coloredfooting while borderinggreeneryadds privacy as well as seclusion. Accent your space by selectingattractive pillowsandunbreakable dinnerwarefor your next gathering.  

Are any of these ideas inspiring you? If you’re looking to increase your home’s value or want to create a more attractive living space, we hope you’ve found some motivation to dive into your next home improvement project!

Whether you’re thinking of putting your home on the market or just beginning your homeownership journey, contact us today! Our team of experienced realtors can help guide you through the process and make sure that everything goes smoothly. We look forward to hearing from you soon!