Remodeling in 2022
I’ve dubbed this lovely month of March as “Remodel March.” Why? No reason except that I wanted to and I’m super excited about potentially helping a lovely couple remodel the main living space in their new-to-them home. I also love the vibe that March gives off as it brings the start of Daylight Savings Time, and of course, Spring. It is a great time of year to update spaces or remodel them altogether…let’s be real, any time of year is a great time to remodel.
Defining "Remodel"I want to clarify the meaning of “remodel,” so that we all start on the same page, this is not the same as renovation but closely related to a makeover. A remodel is changing the structure or form of a space… A renovation is to restore a space (or building/home) to a good state of repair… A makeover can simply be changing textures, paints, furniture placement and accessories.
A successful remodel can be costly but can also add major value and appeal to your home, improve the function of the space for your lifestyle and bring you lots of joy. All wins, yes? The most popular remodel is still, hands down, the kitchen with an average price tag of $14k, with bathrooms and bedrooms coming up next and the living room sneaking its way in there as well. In my opinion, if you are up for remodeling your kitchen, you are going to need to at least consider making over your living room so that you can have some cohesiveness, or as a designer would say, some harmony, across those square feet.
Because statistics and numbers don’t lie, here is what the 2019 Remodeling Impact Report for NAR had to say about a kitchen remodel:
85% of homeowners had a greater desire to be home after completing the project
74% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are home
78% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they just think of the project.
52% of the value recovered from the project in a sale
Modern Day Remodel TrendsSo, you have read the stats above and you know that it is time to embark on a remodel. Now what? Well, ideally your budget includes hiring someone like me: fun, semi-professional (because I like to have fun and get personal), excited and knowledgeable. I spend my spare time reading all the magazines, blogs and books about what is new and exciting in the world of home, so that you don’t have to. And for the last two years I have had the pleasure of helping families, singles, professionals and just your average, everyday homeowner make their home more suitable for their lifestyle.
The trends in this list are in major consideration of where we are in the pandemic and how our everyday lives have changed permanently since the shutdowns, quarantines and general chaos of it all. I started AWH during the pandemic because I saw that our homes were no longer meeting our needs, and I knew that life would look different going through and on the other side of it. Here are some of my favorite 2022 design trends that not only bring beauty and functionality, but also value!
Adding technology. Our homes have quickly become the hub of our life, not just where we eat our meals and have family game night. We are learning here, working here and obviously, living here. When remodeling, consider adding outlets that can do more than power a lamp, for example, this guy, who charges the lastest devices up to 2x faster. Smart home technology is a big plus as well, not just for convenience, but for sustainability and security - the choices are endless: Ring, Nest, Arlo, Alexa… Do your research and make the best decision for you and your family. And, I’d be remiss not to mention the advancements in appliances:
Bold Colors & Patterns for Days - I love a good accent wall with a bold color, a fantastic wallpaper or even some sort of wood or shiplap application, but a lot of folks are opting for a 360-degree view of any one of the aforementioned. I’m here for it. The choices are endless, you can evoke any type of mood you want, and bonus, none of these selections are permanent. Some of the most popular spaces for this trend can be found in the laundry room, mudroom, formal dining rooms and home offices.
Natural Elements | Biophilic Design - This is a trend that has been around for some time and, IMO should never go away. It isn’t just beauty that natural elements bring to an interior, but they can boost your Vitamin D, make your air cleaner, and make you feel like less of a jerk for using some sustainable materials. I credit @joannagaines for showing the world how wonderful wood and stone can be on the inside of a home. She started the craze with all the shiplap installations and concrete counters. She and other designers that I love, @leannefordinteriors & the twins out in Seattle, @thelyndsaylamb & @1leslie_davis have taken it even farther by adding some warmth with natural wood tones in every application imaginable.
Designers and builders alike have all come to understand that not only can windows serve an actual purpose, but can also be artistic features in a home, either in their shape & size or in the unconventional placement of them.
Lastly, plants. I got on this bandwagon in 2019 thanks to @fagelbagel and my world hasn’t been the same sense, I love my plants. If you don’t have any, or you don’t know where to start, read this.
Tips of the TradeIn my former career as a corporate event planner, I would often run into someone who also classified themselves as an event planner because they threw a birthday party once. Trust me, one birthday party does not a planner make. Same goes for home makeovers, remodels and renovations - just because you painted your bedroom in college and hung art on the wall doesn’t mean that you are capable of successfully completing a full-scale home improvement project. So, that’s my first tip. Don’t do something you’re not capable of, if you do it wrong, you could spend a lot more money making it right, or even worse, cause some scary issues to the structure or function of your home.
So, in most cases you are going to need to hire professionals. My recommendation is to research the trade providers specific to your project in your area, or for larger remodels and renovations - research some general contractors. After your research is complete, call them and schedule a time for them to see your space and talk about your project, I suggest doing this with three from each trade or three general contractors. From here you will have a better understanding of what all of this will cost and can then determine if that’s going to work for you or not. You can always make adjustments to the project in order to fit your budget. And, remember right now is a great time to use the equity that you already have in your home to make your home better - call you bank or mortgage company to see what offers/incentives they have to offer.
Be aware that things don’t happen overnight and that our systems are overloaded. Trades professionals, general contractors, designers, and the manufacturers are all dealing with supply chains issues, in every category. When starting a remodel, set timelines that are considerate to this issue that isn’t going away in 2022. Make sure you and the professionals that you hire have an open and honest dialogue about these expectations in advance.
Lastly, consider the resale value of every aspect of your project, even if this is your forever home. Why? Let’s say in 10 years you need to refinance your home, assuming that you have made smart choices in your remodel, your home’s value will be much higher, giving you much more equity in home to borrow against. If this isn’t your forever home, I suggest reaching out to a realtor and having them do an assessment on your home and the remodel plans prior to demo, your goal in your remodel should not only be beauty, but a banging return on investment.
In ConclusionThe process of remodeling is complicated, it will have good times and bad times and will be fun and arduous all at the same time. Put your patient panties on, hire reputable professionals and think long term.
Follow along on Facebook and Instagram as I post 2x per week throughout the coming month, which I've dubbed "Remodel March".
From tips and tricks to before and afters...from budget-friendly projects to DIY remodeling...from renovation for organization to remodeling for function.
I'll cover it all, and you don't want to miss out!