Current homeowners are choosing to remodel according to their needs instead of relocating. According to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, only about 1 in 10 households changed homes in 2024. This is across varying markets from young homeowners to retired households. Many first-time homebuyers choosing to remodel their starter homes instead of leaving their pandemic-era sub-3% mortgage rates. “The reality today is that many households appear to be “locked in” to their homes,” wrote Riordan Frost, Senior Research Analyst at Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. As for…
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Remodel of the week: Jenny O’Leary
Architect and designer Jenny O’Leary transformed a kitchen inside a late-1800s brownstone in Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn, N.Y., into a modern, functional space while still preserving historical charm. The challenge was more than updating and preserving an old house, but designing a kitchen a couple could comfortably share on the daily. Another challenge was the fact that O’Leary’s clients had two opposing design styles. While one liked darker tones and strong lines, the other preferred softer elements. O’Leary aimed to renovate the kitchen to feel classic and calm for each…
Read MoreHomeowners choose remodeling over moving
Homeowners in Loudon County, Va., are choosing to renovate their homes instead of moving due to tight housing inventory and discouraging mortgage rates. Across multiple homes in the area, outdated kitchens with dark cabinetry and inefficient layouts have been transformed into bright, functional spaces designed for modern living. Rather than searching for a new home, homeowners are reinvesting in the spaces they already love, improving flow, storage and long-term comfort. “Many of the homes we work in have great bones,” said Justin Butler, owner of Klappenberger & Son in Loudoun…
Read MoreNARI announces their Remodel of the Year Awards
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) announced their Remodel of the Year Awards. These awards are distributed across 44 categories among 7 regions with 159 winners. NARI was formed in 1982 with the merge of the the National Remodelers Association and the National Home Improvement Council. The categories range from best residential kitchen, bath, basement, interiors, whole home and more. The winners for the entire house over $1,000,000 category were Alloway Construction & Restoration, Inc. (Region 1 Northeast), Alair Homes Arlington (Region 2 Southeast), Gordon James (Region 3…
Read MoreDesigners recommend upgrades to elevate small kitchens
While a small kitchen can feel cluttered, designers recommend small upgrades throughout to elevate the space and boost functionality. Vertical storage space, readily accessible appliances and decorative cabinet inserts are just a few of the trends designers predict will take the spotlight in kitchen renovations in 2026. “In compact spaces, visual noise magnifies quickly,” says Kimberly Oxford of Kimberly Oxford Interiors. “Fully integrated, panel-ready appliances are becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity. They allow the cabinetry to carry the visual weight of the room and create…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: Rude Haus
Local studio Rude Haus renovated a home in New Hope, Pa. with an assortment of hand-crafted elements to create a colorful, vintage atmosphere. Instead, the designer incorporated Pennsylvania’s surrounding countryside into the living spaces of Clover House by using bright colours and texture. Handmade tiles depicting plants, animals and countryside motifs that frame the threshold between the living room and dining room. The project entailed updating the main living areas of the split-level home after its owners performed initial renovations, which brought the house up to code, but left the…
Read MoreOhio builder and remodeler elected as 2026 NAHB Chairman
The 2026 chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) was elected at the International Builders’ Show. Bill Owens a remodeler and home builder based in Ohio was selected for the leadership position. Owens is the founder and principal of Owens Construction, a design+build firm he founded in 1982. Throughout his 40 year career, Owens held roles in NAHB leadership structure at the local, state and national levels. Before being elected chairman, Owens served on the NAHB Leadership Council and is a member of the NAHB Board of Directors.…
Read MoreWood becomes top choice for kitchen cabinets
For the first time in recent years, wood has emerged as the top choice for kitchen cabinets, selected by 29% of renovating homeowners, marking a six percentage point jump from 2025. The previously popular sleek, minimalistic white tone in kitchens is being replaced with wood finishes for kitchen cabinets. Medium wood tones are becoming increasingly popular, followed by light wood then dark wood in 2026 kitchen remodeling trends. Wood is also taking over kitchen countertops in renovations. Renovators increasingly are choosing a contrasting countertop material for kitchen islands apart from…
Read MoreRenovation influx expected in 2026
A national survey conducted by a leading research company found that, out of 2,000 homeowners, one in five have renovation or home upgrade plans in 2026. The survey found that 43% of homeowners completed a renovation in 2025, while an additional 32% report plans to renovate in 2026. Nearly six in 10 respondents said they plan to update interior spaces, while 43% cited landscaping projects. “These findings reflect how strongly homeowners connect personal fulfillment with their living spaces,” said Chris Freeborg, VP and Chief Marketing, Communications & Product Development Officer.…
Read MoreNAHB predicts remodeling growth throughout 2026
At a panel hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) during the International Builders’ Show (IBS), industry experts discussed the NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI). This quarterly survey administered by the NAHB to their members reported over 50 points for 24 consecutive quarters. Their data supports that confidence in the remodeling industry is stronger than their multi-family and single-family counterparts. They predict that residential remodeling activity is expected to increase 3% in 2026 with an additional 2% in 2027. “There are many factors contributing to the continued…
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