What is the most popular home improvement
So you're wondering what everyone else is doing to their houses, right? The numbers from the 2023 Remodeling Impact Report (that's from the National Association of Realtors and Harvard folks) point to something pretty obvious. Most popular home improvement in the US? It's a kitchen renovation. Specifically the minor or mid-range kind. Tops the charts for both how happy it makes people and how much cash you get back when selling. But honestly? Interior painting is right there nipping at its heels, especially if we're talking about what people actually do most often. Let's dig into why these two dominate.
Why is the kitchen the most popular room to renovate?
They call it the heart of the home for a reason, and the data backs that up big time. A minor kitchen remodel—we're talking new cabinet fronts, updated appliances, fresh countertops—gives you the best return on investment of any interior project you can tackle. That same 2023 report says you'll recoup about 71% of what you spend when you sell. But here's the thing nobody talks about: the Joy Score. That's how much happiness a project brings. Kitchens score insanely high. People want better functionality, higher home value, and honestly, just a nicer place to hang out and cook.
What does a "minor" kitchen remodel include?
Before you get carried away dreaming about knocking down walls—don't. A minor remodel keeps the floor plan exactly where it is. It's all about making things look and work better without moving any walls.
- Cabinet Refacing or New Doors: Swap out those tired fronts and hardware. Instant facelift.
- New Appliances: Energy-efficient stuff that actually looks like it belongs in this decade.
- Countertop Replacement: Quartz, granite, or that solid surface stuff. Whatever floats your boat.
- New Faucet and Sink: Deep basin sink. Pull-down spray faucet. Game changer for washing big pots.
- Backsplash Installation: Tile behind the counter. Makes cleaning easier and looks way better than painted drywall.
- Lighting Update: Ditch those fluorescent nightmares. LED or layered lighting changes everything.
What is the second most popular home improvement?
Look, kitchens cost money and take time. But painting? That's the people's champion. Interior painting is hands down the most frequently done project. Why? It's cheap, it's fast, and it completely transforms a room in like a day. One room, one day. Cost is laughably low compared to a full renovation. That same Joy Score metric? Painting scored a 9.8 out of 10. Highest of any project. People just love that fresh, clean look. You get to make your space feel like yours without emptying your bank account.
How does painting compare to other popular projects?
Let's lay it out so you can see how everything stacks up—frequency, cost, all that good stuff.
| Project | Popularity Rank | Average Cost | ROI | Joy Score (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Painting | 1 (Most Frequent) | $1,000 - $3,000 | 100%+ (DIY) | 9.8 |
| Minor Kitchen Remodel | 2 (Highest ROI) | $15,000 - $25,000 | 71% | 9.5 |
| New Flooring (Hardwood) | 3 | $3,000 - $8,000 | 70% | 9.3 |
| Bathroom Remodel | 4 | $10,000 - $20,000 | 58% | 9.2 |
What are the most popular exterior home improvements?
Inside stuff gets all the glory, but don't sleep on the outside. New siding—specifically fiber-cement—is the big winner out there. You'll get about 69% ROI and your house will actually look like someone cares about it. Then there's garage door replacement. Sounds boring, I know. But it's one of the best investments you can make. Recoups nearly 94% of its cost when you sell. Landscaping too—new lawn, planting trees—that stuff makes people happy in a way that's hard to measure.
What is the "Joy Score" and why does it matter?
This Joy Score thing? The National Association of Realtors cooked it up to track how much emotional satisfaction a project gives you. And honestly, it matters more than you'd think. Painting scores 9.8 because it's instant, low-stress, and you get that dopamine hit right away. Compare that to a major kitchen remodel—sure, the end result is great, but the disruption, the cost, the time... it drags the score down. The best projects have both high Joy Scores and reasonable costs. Emotional return matters just as much as financial return these days.
Expert Insight: "Homeowners are increasingly prioritizing projects that improve daily living quality over pure resale value. The rise of the 'Joy Score' shows that emotional return is just as important as financial return. The most popular projects are those that make a home feel fresh, functional, and personal." — Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors
Checklist for planning the most popular home improvement
Thinking about doing a kitchen remodel or painting your walls? Here's what you need to figure out beforehand so you don't mess it up.
- Define your budget: Pick a number and stick to it. No cheating. li>Set your timeline: Kitchen takes 4-6 weeks. Painting? One to three days. Plan accordingly.
- Get multiple quotes: For kitchen work, talk to at least three contractors. Don't just go with the first one.
- Choose materials first: Cabinets, countertops, paint colors—pick them before you start tearing things apart.
- Check permits: Minor remodels usually don't need them, but check local codes anyway. Better safe than sorry.
- Plan for disruption: Set up a temporary kitchen or paint one room at a time so you're not living in chaos.
- Focus on the "wow" factor: Put your money into what you see and use every day—countertops, faucet, that perfect paint color.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the single most common home improvement project?
Interior painting, without a doubt. Millions of homeowners do it every year. It's cheap, it makes a huge difference, and honestly, anyone can do it. DIY folks love it. Professionals love it. It's the king of frequency.
Does a kitchen remodel add value to my home?
Yeah, it does. A minor kitchen remodel gets you back about 71% of what you spend when you sell. But here's the catch—going overboard with a major upscale remodel? That only gets you 53-58% back. You can price yourself right out of the neighborhood. The sweet spot is the mid-range minor update. That's what works.
Why is painting so popular compared to other projects?
Because it's the cheapest, fastest, least disruptive way to change everything about a room. Highest Joy Score in the game—9.8. You can do it yourself, save on labor, and make the space feel like yours. Low risk, massive reward. That's why everyone does it.
What is the most popular home improvement for increasing home value?
A minor kitchen remodel is the one everyone talks about. But if you're looking purely at ROI percentage? Garage door replacement. Up to 94% cost recovery. For interior stuff, new hardwood flooring gives you a solid return too. It depends on what you're after.
Resumen breve
- El proyecto más popular: La reforma menor de cocina (minor kitchen remodel) es la más popular por su alto ROI (71%) y satisfacción del propietario.
- El proyecto más frecuente: La pintura interior es la mejora más común a su bajo costo, alta satisfacción (Joy Score 9.8) y rapidez.
- Mejor inversión exterior: Reemplazar la puerta del garaje ofrece el ROI más alto (94%), siendo una de las mejoras más rentables.
- Factor clave: La "Puntuación de Alegría" (Joy Score) demuestra que la satisfacción emocional es tan importante como el valor de reventa para los propietarios actuales.