Lumber prices continued their decline for the 11th straight week, with the framing lumber composite price falling to $424 per 1,000 board feet—the lowest since October 2024. Although prices are down 4.1% over the past month, they remain 13.1% higher year-over-year. U.S. lumber availability also hit a low not seen since 2019, as both domestic production and imports, especially from Canada, decreased in the first quarter of 2025. Read More
Read MoreYear: 2025
2025 ASID Economic Outlook Report
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has released its 2025 Economic Outlook report, highlighting how tariffs, rising costs, and labor shortages are creating an uneven recovery for the design industry. While moderate consumer spending and employment growth offer some stability, persistent challenges like paused infrastructure projects and high housing prices demand that designers remain agile and forward-thinking. The report identifies new opportunities in sectors such as adaptive reuse, build-to-rent housing, and aging-in-place design, offering data-driven insights to help interior designers navigate and grow in a shifting economic landscape. Read…
Read More2025 National/Regional RotY Award Winner
The 2025 National/Regional Remodeler of the Year Award winner for Residential Kitchen Under $50,000 transformed a closed-off kitchen into a bright, open-concept space by removing surrounding walls and incorporating thoughtful design upgrades. The remodel prioritized improved traffic flow, expanded counter space and refreshed finishes while preserving style and function. Read More
Read MoreBusiness Roundtable Launches New Workforce Initiative
The Business Roundtable has launched a Skilled Trades Initiative to address U.S. labor shortages by promoting careers in high-demand fields like construction, manufacturing, maintenance and energy. Spearheaded by CEOs such as Marvin Ellison (Lowe’s) and David Gitlin (Carrier), the program partners with companies, experts and nonprofits to create resources, training, and tools aimed at strengthening the industrial and construction workforce. Read More
Read MoreProducer Prices Rise in May: New Construction Input Analysis
Prices for inputs to new residential construction rose 0.2% in May after a slight decline in April, with building materials increasing 0.1% month-over-month and 2.5% year-over-year. While energy input costs rose slightly in May, they remain nearly 10% lower than a year ago. Overall, input prices for residential construction are up 1.9% from May 2024, driven by modest increases in both goods and services. Read More
Read MoreThe Fed Pause Continues
The Federal Reserve maintained its current interest rate range of 4.25% to 4.5%, continuing its pause on rate cuts despite earlier reductions in late 2024. Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the Fed’s commitment to reducing inflation and achieving full employment, noting that persistent shelter inflation and ongoing housing affordability challenges—exacerbated by high construction costs—are key concerns. While economic activity remains solid and unemployment is low, the Fed slightly downgraded its 2025 GDP growth forecast and raised its inflation outlook, citing tariff uncertainty as a potential contributor to elevated inflation through the…
Read MoreHome Improvement Market Growth Revised Downward
The home improvement market’s growth forecast for 2025 has been lowered to 3.4%, down from an earlier projection of 5%, due to rising material costs, new tariffs and labor shortages. Economic pressures, including high tariffs on imported materials and a sluggish housing market affected by high mortgage rates, are contributing to slower activity. While existing home sales are expected to gradually recover, new housing starts may remain stagnant or decline slightly. Read More
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: Laurel Builders Transforms Cramped Kitchen into Award-Winning Gathering Space
Laurel Builders Inc. of Shakopee, Minnesota, earned the 2025 National Remodeler of the Year Award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) for their outstanding residential kitchen remodel in the $100,000 to $150,000 category. The project involved reimagining a small, dimly lit kitchen with a disconnected breakfast bar into a bright, open-concept space that seamlessly integrates with the main floor. By removing walls and structural elements, the team created a unified area that offers ample storage, cooking space, and an inviting seating area for family and guests. The…
Read More5 Essential Home Design Ideas for Aging in Place
As people age, many prefer to stay in their own homes and often repurpose spaces like former kids’ rooms for new uses such as hobbies or visiting family. Interior design experts recommend focusing on accessibility, mobility and comfort to support independent living, while keeping budget and layout limitations in mind. Read More
Read More5 Home Renovation Projects That Are Most Tariff-Proof
These five remodeling projects are less affected by the rising costs of imported materials due to recent tariffs. They include updating kitchens and bathrooms, enhancing energy efficiency and improving curb appeal, as they often rely on domestically sourced materials or labor-intensive work. Allowing homeowners to focus on these areas to mitigate the impact of increased material costs and ensure their renovations remain within budget. Read More
Read More