The new year brings with it hope for peace, joy, and happiness. For homeowners, it also marks a brand-new year of renovations for your home. Whether it’s finally transforming your bathroom into an oasis or fixing up the kids’ rooms, there’s a lot to tackle in the new year. Homeowners will be increasingly looking for affordable but also green options in 2023 as they make their home renovations. From the spaces that need the most attention to the must-have materials, you can expect to see these home reno trends everywhere in 2023. Despite spiking inflation and high prices at the supermarket and the gas pump, homeowners are still investing in their properties. From building a new deck in the backyard to refurbishing the garage, certain renovations will not only give you a good return on investment, but they will also increase the equity in your home. With all this in mind, maybe you’ve been wondering what some of are the best returns on investment (ROI) home projects you can plan on accomplishing in 2023.

 According to the building professionals at Nelson Cabinetry, the real estate market is expected to remain healthy in 2023 despite a recent downturn in the last quarter of 2022. One of the best things about owning your own place is that you don't have to just drool over home renovation trends – you can get them done without pleading your case to a landlord. After all, our homes are our refuges from the world; a place we can relax, get work done, enjoy time with friends and family, and play with pets – all on our own terms. Improving them to become more accessible, livable, or stylish (or sometimes all three!) can be extremely rewarding for you in the short-term, while increasing the home's value over the long term.

Home renovation and remodeling can be great ways to increase your home’s value while tailoring it to your style preferences. We researched the top renovation and remodeling trends for 2023 to inspire you with ideas that might appeal to you.

If there's one thing home remodeling experts agree on, it's that most 2023 home renovations will be focused on increasing comfort and functionality. While a lot of us remain intent on pinching pennies rather than spending them, home renovation trends predict that what we do remodel will have to pull double duty to serve our emotional and physical needs to make the grade. 

Renovation or Remodeling?

The words renovate and remodel mean different things yet are often used interchangeably. But when talking to a contractor or a mortgage lender it’s important to use the correct term to get accurate estimates and the best rate/terms on your loan. The key difference between a renovation and a remodel is whether you’re creating something new. Renovation means updating or restoring a room or home. It retains the same functions but will look different.

Remodeling means changing the functionality of a room or home in addition to updating its design. Both options change the look and feel of your home and may increase your home’s value. There are many ways to cover the expense of renovations and remodels, but how much do they cost?

The cost of home renovation and remodeling projects varies depending on your area, the scope of the job, and your timeline. Therefore, it’s best to compare quotes from different companies to get an idea of the average cost in your area for a project like yours.

Kitchen Designs

Another popular theme of 2023 renovations are "making more with less" or "getting creative with what you've got." This could mean anything from adding a certain feature to your personal space. Improving on elements already in place is oftentimes much cheaper than starting anew.

Experts say kitchens are now becoming spaces to show off personal design styles and perspectives. Key kitchen trends include incorporating calming tones, such as water and botanical-inspired blues and greens. Warm neutrals that feel calming and create a sense of relaxation. With a focus on personal wellness, but also wellness for the world. There are a lot of biophilic materials being used in this space like tactile woods and dynamic composites. Kitchen islands continue to be a big trend, as people look to maximize their fridge space in their kitchen and make a bar area more of a focal point for hosting.

Flooring Replacements

Regarding the materials used in interior design, there is a certain craze for natural wood. It’s not actually a recent phenomenon, but the 2023 home decor trends will take back the love for this fantastic organic material. On the floor, we can see the big comeback of light natural parquet in all its nuances and possible combinations of salts. Use the same essence for the furnishings and the exposed beams on the ceiling, among others, and it will be perfect!

Apart from the ubiquitous solid wood, raw concrete, white marble, and black steel are also present in the decor of tomorrow. However, the eye of the discerning observer sees that their presence is certainly more subdued compared to previous years. When it comes to metallic finishes, brushed brass is gradually replacing the very popular stainless steel.

Additional Workspace/ Office

The pandemic convinced many employers (and employees) that working from home is a viable option. As such, many 2023 renovations will be spent turning living space into working space. Door stead points out that "the way you organize and decorate a room can impact your energy levels and productivity," so be certain that your home office renovation has the proper lighting, furniture, and technology to put you in the best frame of mind.

Since working from home (even part-time) has become mainstream, designers are putting more focus on home offices. Comfortable functionality is the name of the redesigned game, featuring ergonomic furnishings, energizing colors, and Zoom-friendly wall art and shelves. And if you’re currently building or renovating your home, chances are that you’re dedicating an area of your abode for the ideal workspace. Also, more people are looking towards home to create emotional comfort amid all the ongoing global crises. Families want to know their home has the space to work from home, have spontaneous Zoom meetings, or do home schooling without tripping over each other. From offices that double as rooms for schoolwork to kitchens that double as work zones on the fly, multifunctional rooms are needed by just about every family today. Don't forget about dual-use spaces that allow for relaxation and unwinding, too. Think couches in home offices, chairs in bedrooms, and extra seating in the kitchen so others in the family can converse with you while you cook or just get ready for the day.

Curves

Doorways aren’t the only architectural feature adding curves in 2023 — walls, windows, halls, kitchen islands, and vanities are also rounding out. Perhaps it’s in response to years of sharp, minimal lines, but rounded edges and curvaceous corners are a top trend. This home renovation trend must stick with power. Perhaps it's the softness, the fluidity, or the comfort that curves convey that keep them so in demand. Ways to add the curve trend to your home include using furniture pieces like a round mirror, coffee table, accent chair, sofa, or rug. Incorporating the curve trend through your home’s architecture can also include trying a round garden, deck, kitchen island, or even built-in bookcases.

Eco-friendly Finishes 

In the last few years, many people are becoming aware of the fact that eco-friendly aka “green” homes are quite important for our environment. However, there are still many people who are not aware of why eco-friendly homes are important. An eco-friendly house is always environmentally friendly, which is surely a great thing for you and your family. Apart from the sustainable resources that are used to make these eco-friendly homes, the heating and cooling system installed in your house creates a balanced temperature inside the house and the ventilation system provides you with clean and fresh air – obviously healthy and environment friendly.

By using renewable energy sources, minimizing waste production, and recycling as much as possible, an eco-friendly home minimizes its impact on the environment. An eco-friendly house has been designed with all kinds of considerations in mind, from the way it looks to how it functions. Here are some of the most common features:

• Low heat loss through windows and doors.

• Energy-efficient appliances and lighting.

• Low water consumption – Either through rainwater harvesting or by using a greywater system.

• Minimal waste production – e.g., composting food waste instead of throwing it away in bins; reusing materials such as old newspapers instead of throwing them away.

• Low carbon footprint – e.g., using natural insulation such as straw bales or wool; heating with renewable sources such as wood pellets or biofuels.

 Many home renovation trend pieces indicate that environmentally friendly decor and design choices are becoming even more popular. One example is cork flooring, which HGTV calls "a mega home reno trend for 2023 thanks to its eco credentials, sustainable sourcing, and heat-retaining properties." Other hot materials include reclaimed wood, stone, adobe brick, and bamboo.

Trends come and go. While a trend may be popular now, if it doesn’t quite work for your home’s look, then feel free to make some creative modifications. Before embarking on a renovation, consider your budget and your family’s lifestyle and unique needs. Choosing to renovate can make you a happier homeowner and increase your property value if you ever choose to sell.

Use these trends as motivation, but there’s no “right” way to renovate or remodel your space. All projects should take your unique personality, lifestyle, and budget into consideration. And while there will be some features that are more valuable than others when the time comes to sell your home, the happiest homeowners are the ones who recreate their space based exactly on the way they want to live in it. With labor and materials both in short supply, and inflation sending prices sky high, any renovation you embark on will likely cost more and take longer than you anticipate. That seems to be how they all go. Be patient and try to maintain a sense of adventure. In the end, a more comfortable and workable home will make the expense and inconvenience of remodeling worth it.

Happy renovating and remodeling!