Budget-Friendly Home Remodeling

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.

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   or three at a time. 54% 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 can update your house to the point its value soars above similar neighboring homes. 

Make a list of your priorities. 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.  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. 

Another way to save on costs: two-tone cabinets. 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.

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 1 in 10 homeowners saying they plan to focus on flooring upgrades in their remodels this year.  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.

Home Remodel Idea: Minor Bathroom Renovation

Homeowners also rate bathroom renovations highly for bringing them joy, according to the NAR report. 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. Consider smaller scale updates, which can be completed for less.

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.

Home Remodel Idea: New Landscaping

Landscaping upgrades may offer 100% cost recovery. 

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.