While renovation is an important aspect of the homeownership process, not all remodeling projects are created equal when it comes to boosting property value. Unless the project modernizes the appearance, increases the functional space, improves safety, or lowers the energy consumption of the home, then the renovation will not appeal to a wide market and be completed more or less for the current owner’s personal preference.

Therefore, before starting any home remodeling efforts, consider the following list to help you attract buyers, and boost property value. 

Include a Home Office

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work opportunities were steadily increasing for Americans–the pandemic just expedited the process significantly. As a result, homes that do not feature an adequate remote work environment will be struck from the consideration set of an increasing number of buyers, while those that have been renovated to include innovative office spaces will surely stand out.

Although you will want a home office to mirror a functional office-building space in a number of ways, there are some special features unique to the home that should be considered, including:

• Sliding pocket doors that do not eat into the square footage of either the home or office
• Customizable glass partition walls that allow other aspects of the home to remain separate but visible, an important consideration for working parents who need to keep an eye on their children during the workday
• Acoustic ceiling tiles to muffle the transfer of noise from other areas of the home
• Nonporous solid surface office desks to reduce the amount of time needed for cleaning

Increase Light and Open Space

The open floor concept is largely accepted as one of the most powerful trends in contemporary home design. Dark, cramped, and closed-off home interiors are steadily being updated to be more open and inviting.

Therefore, you will need to capitalize on this trend to appeal to a modern market. Some of the best remodeling projects for making your home feel brighter and more spacious include:

• Combine kitchen and dining room spaces. As opposed to having a wall separating these two areas, use a 42-inch breakfast bar or another form of accessible-from-all-sides island to create a distinction between these areas.
• Update dark-colored walls. Replace them with white shiplap wall options to make the interior feel more spacious and better reflect light.
• Upgrade the windows. Not only can old windows lose their seals and include cracks that allow the unwanted transfer of air, but years of catching flying debris can cause them to become stained and grainy, inhibiting the flow of light. 

Give the Kitchen a Facelift

“Most realtors agree that kitchens sell homes. As the centerpiece and most communal area of any residence, it is not hard to understand why. This makes kitchen remodels among the best projects for homeowners looking to add resale value.” – Steve Lyon of Houston Home Remodeling Pros

Modern kitchens should be open, inviting, durable, and easy-to-clean. Some ways to accomplish these goals include adding nonporous quartz countertops, tough but classy vinyl flooring, and open shelves to replace bulky closed cabinets.

Build a Deck

The changes wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic are too many to list. One of the most dramatic, though, is the amount of leisure time spent at home as people have foregone restaurants, theme parks, and sporting venues to adhere to safer-at-home guidelines.

As such, homes that are well-equipped to entertain their residents are highly desirable in the current climate. Building a deck is a great way to add functional space to a property at a relatively low cost, as a deck is an ideal location to house the grill, set up a table for game night, or simply pull out a chair and enjoy some evening views. 

Conclusion

When planning remodeling projects, it is important to choose those that will appeal to a wide market in order to increase the value of the property. To this effect, projects such as including a home office, increasing the house’s light and open space, giving the kitchen a facelift, and building a deck are all great ideas to help your home stand out and command a premium price on the market. 

Skylar Ross is a contributor to the Innovative Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Skylar is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.