5 home remodeling trends to watch for in 2021

After a year of spending more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many homeowners are looking for ways to make their homes fit their new realities. Open floor plans are out; dedicated spaces for remote work and learning are in. Yards are being transformed into entertainment spaces and walls are being repainted. At the same time, increased demand and safety concerns can make the remodeling process much longer than before.

Here are five trends to watch for this 2021 home-remodeling season.

1. A focus on dedicated spaces

At the start of 2020, “the most requested design concept was open space,” says Jimmy Dollman, principal of Dollman Construction in Roanoke, Virginia. “But now, we face a different set of design implications because everyone’s living conditions have changed.”

Dollman notes that remote workers and learners need privacy and quiet. “A year ago, it was rare for one family member to work from home,” he says. “Now, [parents] and kids find it difficult to get work done because of the noise in the open design.”

This year, expect to see homeowners spending less time knocking down walls to open up shared areas, and more time transforming spare rooms or nooks into dedicated spaces. That might mean adding a home office or home theater, for instance, or transforming a nook into a space for distance-learning.

2. Making room for home offices

To add home offices to residences, “homeowners aren’t adding square footage,” says Doug King, owner of King Contracting, a design-build firm in St. Petersburg, Florida, and president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. “Rather, they’re taking out rarely used closets, like in the hallway, and moving interior walls to make space.”

The home office trend isn’t going away anytime soon, he notes.

“Even when the pandemic is over,” King says, “there’ll be a lot of people still working from home.” He notes that because of this trend, use of home technology is also increasing as households install items such as ethernet cables for computer networks and Bluetooth speakers.

3. More outdoor living

One cure for that cooped-up feeling is outdoor living areas.

“People want their backyards to be their oasis,” King says. In his area, he says pools are the No. 1 thing being added to backyards. Outdoor kitchens and fire pits are the next most popular.

Homeowners spending more time at home may also start to seek out remodeling projects that bring beautiful outdoor views inside — for instance, by installing larger windows or glass doors that let in more natural light.

4. Longer wait times

Besides shifts in design trends, homeowners can expect a continued slow-down in the industry. In some cases, safety concerns have changed how contractors and workers approach projects. For example, Dollman has suspended all work in occupied residences to avoid exposure to COVID-19 “to protect the homeowners and our crews,” he says.

Getting permits can also take much longer than usual as demand increases and those who approve the permits adapt to new working conditions — for instance, working at home rather than in the office, or working with a limited staff.

5. Bold colors

For homebound do-it-yourselfers looking for affordable ways to make rooms more welcoming this year, adding a colorful fresh coat of paint will likely be high on their list.

A sign that bold colors and color combinations could be gaining favor: They featured prominently among Color of the Year winners for 2021 announced by brands including Sherwin Williams, Pantone and Benjamin Moore. Sherwin Williams selected Urbane Bronze (a dark brownish-gray), for instance; Benjamin Moore selected an Aegean Teal (a blue-green color); Pantone selected a color duo: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating (a gray tone alongside a bright yellow color).

For homeowners, striking paint colors like these could be an appealing low-cost way to add depth, excitement and personality to a room without overwhelming it.

Key Things You Need to Know Before Home Remodeling

Remodeling your home is the perfect way to maximize the space and to make every room more comfortable. There is so much extra space that can be utilized when you do remodeling, and you can create the ideal home to suit your family’s life. Furthermore, a well thought out remodeling can also significantly increase the value of your home. It is always worth researching which home improvements are most attractive to potential buyers as these will be the remodeling jobs that will add the most value. A great remodeling can add far more value to your house than the original cost of the work.

To help everyone who is considering giving their home a new lease of life, here are the key things you need to know before home remodeling.

1. The Exterior Will Give Your Home Instant Curb Appeal

The first remodeling job you should consider is an upgrade on the exterior of your home. This will give your home instant curb appeal, which will not only make the neighbors jealous, it will also significantly increase your home’s value. Potential buyers’ first impression of a property is usually its front exterior, so if you are looking to remodel in order to sell your house, this is definitely an area which you shouldn’t overlook. There are various materials and finishes that can make your home look totally different such as cladding and stone veneers. A little landscaping or a newly laid driveway can also make a huge difference when it comes to the look of your home’s exterior.

2. Kitchens Are Ideal for Remodeling

In most homes, the kitchen is at the very heart of family life and so maximizing the use of your kitchen’s space and creating a beautifully designed room is always worthwhile. In any home, an updated kitchen can easily be achieved by adding some top of the line appliances, changing the countertops, cabinets, and drawers, and adding a splash of color with contemporary styles. The kitchen is also a major factor in a home’s value as many potential buyers want a home where the kitchen doesn’t need any work, as this is considered to be a big job. If you are trying to decide which rooms in your home should be allotted the most amount of your budget, it is always worth starting with the kitchen.

3. Plumbing and Wiring Should Not Be Overlooked

Whilst being far from the most glamorous remodeling jobs, it is really important that every home has quality, up to date plumbing and wiring. It is vital that you have both of these regularly checked so that any potential issues can be nipped in the bud long before they escalate into more major problems. If you are remodeling your home to sell it, it is also worth noting that prospective buyers will usually check the condition of your plumbing and wiring in the survey. If you have certificates that show you recently had them replaced, the potential asking price of your home can be significantly higher. Plumbing can be difficult to access, so consider getting your pipes replaced or fixed whilst you are remodeling the floors in your homes.

4. Backyard Landscaping Will Open Up the Potential of Your Yard

As well as upgrading the exterior of the front of your house, it is always a great idea to landscape your backyard. This will enable you to create the perfect space for whatever it is your family likes to do in the garden. You can add some beautiful flower beds if you like gardening or create an area for your kids to play sports. If you are a family who loves entertaining, building a firepit or a big outside grill will really take your garden parties to another level. Other potential backyard ideas are adding a pool, creating a secret garden behind tall hedges, or adding a fish pond.

5. Your Bathrooms Should Be Sparkling

We spend significant amounts of time in the bathroom, so it is important that this is a room which you like. The total bathroom can be a little expensive, but as with the kitchen, even small changes can make a big difference. Replacing old tiles and having a professional restoration company clean up your old bathtub and sink can give the whole room a completely new lease of life. These are improvements that only cost a few hundred dollars but could add thousands to the value of your home.

A well-considered home remodeling can transform your family’s life and also add serious value to your house. Whilst the best remodeling choices vary from home to home, there are some which are always the most sought after. Consider the suggestions in this article, and your home will soon be the envy of the whole street.