Posts in category: Remodeling Benefits

Home renovation is a significant aspect of homeownership, and it’s always interesting to see how trends evolve over time. In 2022, more homeowners than ever before were focused on long-term living in their homes rather than selling in the near future. Renovation activity was in full swing, and kitchens and bathrooms were the star attractions. That trend continues for 2023 with a few surprising twists.

Staying Put: A Long-Term Approach

Last year, a whopping 61% of homeowners revealed their intention to stay in their homes for 11 years or more following their renovations. This marks a significant shift as the share of homeowners planning to sell their homes soon dropped by half since 2018, with only 6% of homeowners considering this option, compared to 12% in 2018.

Renovation Activity Is Boomingt

Similar to last year, homeowners are actively engaged in improving their living spaces, with nearly 3 in 5 undertaking remodeling (58%) or decorating (57%) projects. Additionally, nearly half of homeowners focused on necessary repairs. The median expenditure for home renovations nationwide last year was $22,000, while those in the top 10% of spend invested a considerable $140,000 or more. The momentum continues with over 55% of homeowners planning renovation projects in the near future.

Kitchens and Bathrooms Take Center Stage

When it comes to renovation, interior spaces are the top choice for homeowners. Notably, homeowners tackled on average nearly three interior projects simultaneously. Kitchen and bathroom remodels remain the most popular projects. Kitchens and primary bathrooms also command the highest median spend.

Professionals Are in Demand

Since last year, homeowners have increasingly turned to construction professionals and designers for their renovation needs. While specialty service providers were the most frequently hired (46%), construction professionals, such as general contractors and kitchen or bathroom remodelers, were a close second at 44%. The percentage of homeowners relying on construction professionals grew by 6 points compared to the previous year, as did the share relying on design-related professionals like Lenton Company, which increased from 20% in 2021 to 26% in 2022.

Baby Boomers Lead the Way

The baby boomer generation continues to be at the forefront of renovation activity, with 6 in 10 homeowners belonging to this age group. They were followed by Gen Xers (27%) and Millennials (9%). Interestingly, Gen Xers surpassed baby boomers in terms of median spending for the first time last year.

Aging Homes Call for System Upgrades

As the median age of homes in the United States continues to increase, homeowners are increasingly focusing on improving their home systems. In 2022, nearly 3 in 10 homeowners opted for plumbing upgrades, while electrical and home automation upgrades were close behind. Electrical upgrades, in particular, gained traction increasing by 4 percentage points after remaining stable at 24% for two years. Among typical home system upgrades, cooling and heating systems commanded the highest median spends, and were undertaken by more than 1 in 5 renovating homeowners.

Overall, the trend continues for homeowners who demonstrate a clear preference for long-term living in their renovated spaces. Renovation activity remains robust, with kitchens and bathrooms taking center stage. The hiring of construction and design professionals also saw a significant uptick. As homes age, homeowners are addressing crucial system upgrades to ensure their living spaces remain safe and efficient. These trends offer insights into the evolving priorities and preferences of homeowners, as well as the booming industry of home renovation. What can Lenton Company’s design-build professionals do for your home? Give us a call at 661.273.9179 and let’s start a conversation.

Source: 2023 U.S. Houzz & Home Study: Renovation Trends

Research Study: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/2023-u-s-houzz-and-home-study-renovation-trends-stsetivw-vs~166887998

Are you hosting for the holidays with guests set to stay over? As you look around your home wishing you had signed a remodeling contract months ago, don’t despair. There’s still time to make small changes to ready your home before guests arrive. Here’s a timeline we’ve adapted from Real Simple magazine, while adding a few of our own approaches into the mix.

Five Weeks Out

Time to focus on the guest room and accommodations if overnight guests are expected. Be sure there’s open storage for company to use during their stay. Update any bedding or window treatments that have seen better days. Make sure an outlet is visible and add extra charging cords or a power strip for your guests’ devices to recharge.

Four Weeks Out

There’s no better way to help your entire home feel clean and welcoming than a fresh coat of paint in a few key areas. Add surprising paint colors or vibrant patterned wallpaper if you’ve been wanting a bold change. If a simple refresh suits your style, a new coat of paint in the same color will do the trick. Our team of craftsmen can help with painting or papering, just give us a call.

Three Weeks Out

Time to inspect your light fixtures, especially in the guest room, living room, and entryway. If anything looks rusted, cracked, or dated, now’s the time to purchase and install new lighting options.

Two Weeks Out

Now starts the fun part. Update decorative accessories by adding plants, new rugs, and throws to your space. These small updates are low-cost but can have high impact helping you dress your home up. If you haven’t already – because you were busy decluttering, painting, and installing new lighting – now’s your chance to add seasonal décor. Lenton Company Pro Tip: Festive throw pillow covers are a great way to help your current pillows look refreshed and celebratory, without the need to buy whole new pillows.

One Week Out

Almost there and now is the time to clear away all the remaining clutter that piles up daily. Dust corners, clean windows, and your home is certain to sparkle and shine.

If you were planning a kitchen, bath, or multi-room remodel before guests arrived but put it on the back burner, we would love to help put your plans in motion in time for next year’s celebrations.

At the turn of the 20^th century, two architect brothers – Charles and Henry Greene – worked together in Pasadena, California to create what is known as Craftsman homes. The brothers were influenced by the English Arts & Crafts movement, which was a push back to the Industrial Revolution by promoting the work of skilled craftsman over machine made goods. Another influence was Oriental wooden architecture, popular in the day. Available as kit homes and in pattern books, craftsman bungalows became the most popular style of small house from about 1905 through the 1920s. Today, they are a treasure worth restoration.

External Features

The outside of a Craftsman home is easily recognizable by some standard features. A low-pitched, gabled roof reflects the Oriental architecture influence on the style. These rooflines typically have a wide, unenclosed eave overhang with decorative supports. The front porch area extends the livable space of small homes making it comfortable to spend time outdoors.

Columns, whether tapered or double, are another distinctive characteristic that support the overhang. A partially paned door with glass panes in the upper third of the door and separated from the bottom paneled portion by a thick piece of trim is another authentic look. Multipaned windows are another featured detail. The most common configurations are either four-over-one or six-over-one double-hung windows.

Earthy Colors and Mixed Materials

A nature-inspired palette of browns and greens helps the low-profile bungalows blend seamlessly with their surroundings. One or two contrasting colors are typically used to highlight architectural features like trim or decorative supports. Craftsman homes almost always feature a mix of materials: clapboard or shingled siding with the porch piers and foundations often made of stone, brick, concrete block, or stucco.

Indoor Spaces

As you might expect, inside living spaces reflect the warmth and comfort of natural woods and a variety of textures and details. Since the homes were typically constructed as bungalows, simple, wide-open layouts make the most of limited square footage.

Inspiration Leads to Renovation

While not every home has the basic structure to transform into a Craftsman, there are features that can be introduced inside and out to mimic the classic California vibe.

Instead of a front porch, consider adding a patio cover in the back of the house to serve the same purpose of extending living spaces with the benefit of privacy. Plan a mix of materials and textures to replicate the earthiness of nature and use contrasting paint colors to highlight details. Introduce glass panes and stained glass in cabinetry to give an artistic ambiance.

The 2022 U.S. Houzz & Home Survey released earlier this summer. According to Houzz, the data reveals that not only did renovation budgets grow in 2021, but project scopes also expanded. For the purpose of their study, recent homeowners are defined as those who have not yet moved into their home or moved in less than a year ago. Short-term owners moved into their home one to five years ago. Long-term homeowners moved into their home six or more years ago.

Renovation Activity & Spend Hit 4-Year High

Home renovation activity and spending are at the highest rates reported since 2018. More than half of homeowners (55%) renovated in 2021, up from 53% in 2020 and 54% in both 2019 and 2018. Following 15% growth in median renovation spend in 2020, homeowners reported an additional 20% jump in 2021 median spend, which now stands at $18,000.

Planned Renovation Spending Increases Year Over Year

More than half of homeowners (55%) plan to renovate in 2022, and nearly half (46%) plan to decorate. For the first time since 2018, homeowners’ planned spending has increased. The median has been $10,000 for the past three years and is now $15,000, a 50% jump.

Recent Homebuyers Spend Double the National Median Spend

Recent homebuyers, who account for 10% of renovating homeowners, spent nearly double the median ($30,000) in 2021, surpassing the median spend for short-term and long-term homeowners ($19,000 and $15,000, respectively). Recent homebuyers with higher-budget projects (the top 10% of spend) invested $175,000, compared with $100,000 for short-term homeowners and $90,000 for long-term homeowners. This higher spending limit potentially can be attributed to the number of projects recent homebuyers undertake at a single time. They are averaging three to four rooms, as well as home systems such as electrical and plumbing.

Investment in Interior Rooms Rises

The median spending increased for all interior room renovations in 2021. The kitchen, which remains the most popular interior room to be upgraded and is the room with the highest spend, saw an increase in investment of 25% ($15,000 in 2021 versus $12,000 in 2020). Interior rooms with the most dramatic spend increase are guest bathrooms (38%), laundry rooms (33%), living rooms (33%) and guest bedrooms (28%).

Other findings include homeowners exploring alternative funding sources – use of cash declined 7 points while financing with credit cards increased 6 points. Another area of investment increase was on outdoor security system upgrades.

Source: 2022 U.S. Houzz & Home Study: Renovation Trends

What does “home” mean to you? Many of the changes brought by the past year have centered on how we use our homes — and some of those changes have been for the better. Antelope Valley homeowners are discovering the benefits and conveniences of working, entertaining, and caring for loved ones right at home. Unsurprisingly, this shift is reflected in kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home remodeling trends, like: 

High-End Home Offices

While some people are heading back to the office, many workplaces allow or even suggest their employees continue to work from home. The kitchen table may have been an acceptable temporary office space, but an elegantly appointed in-home office is a much better long-term solution. Homeowners are converting rooms to create a quiet, separate area where they can be uninterrupted and productive. For families with extra space in their backyards, building a free-standing home office creates a distinct separation between home and work. 

Multi-Generational Homes

Remodeling for accessibility helps senior homeowners stay in their home longer — and allows for multi-generational living. Additions with full suites give family members their own space while staying close. Separate entrances, bathrooms, and even kitchens balance privacy and togetherness. 

At-Home Retreats

This past year saw many of us rediscovering the great outdoors. Homeowners are turning their backyards into stunning, resort-like escapes perfect for entertaining or just relaxing. Fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and conversation areas lead the trend, but there’s no limit to your oasis — and no reservations required! 

State-Of-The-Art Kitchens

In the past year, many homeowners spent more time than usual in their kitchens. As home chefs get more familiar with what they want and need to create their perfect plat du jour, updates such as large center islands, deluxe pantries, specialty storage, and the latest high-tech appliances are in demand. 

Our lives are constantly evolving, and it makes sense that our homes also need to adapt. Does your house suit your lifestyle? Contact us today, and we’ll help you update your home to meet your current and future needs.