Nationally, the most common home renovations include interior painting, exterior painting, finishing a basement, installing or replacing windows, and bathroom remodeling. Houzz polls have unveiled that renovating kitchens and bathrooms, porches, balcony and deck projects are also popular.
For homeowners considering renovation projects large or small, the North Carolina Spring Home Expo is the place to go for ideas. Whether you’re planning a DIY or need a reliable contractor to fix your leaking roof, the Home Expo is the spot to find experts says Sol Lee, the Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide Group, which is presenting the Expo.
“At the Home Expo you'll save time and money finding all your local home improvement experts in one place, allowing you to get quotes from all and making those connections that are hard to make over the phone or internet,” Lee said.
The North Carolina Home Expo will host local and national exhibitors offering exclusive deals and discounts. There will be a wide variety of vendors in home, outdoor living, beauty, decor, DIY and more. The Home Expo will also be an opportunity to learn about the latest trends.
“You'll see new trends in home design, from outdoor landscaping to indoor kitchens or bathrooms. Coming to the Home Expo allows you to find examples of those trends and even plan out what might be the best fit for you,” Lee said.
Some demonstrations at the Home Expo may include new window technology and solar power. Lee said you may even find vendors offering cookware who will demonstrate the benefits of their premium cookware by cooking you a sample.
“The Home Expo also has many vendors offering products like Farm to Table food services, mattresses, cookware, skincare and much more,” Lee said.
The North Carolina Home Expo is free to attend. It will be held at the Crown Complex Expo Center May 19 noon to 6 p.m., May 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Crown is located at 1960 Coliseum Drive in Fayetteville. For more info on the event visit https://northcarolinahomeexpo.com/.
Signs it’s time to renovate
Homeowners renovate their homes for a variety of reasons. Renovations can increase the value of a property and make homes safer and more comfortable for their occupants.
Statista projects $510 billion will be spent on home improvements in 2024. Nearly a quarter of Americans opting to renovate will spend an average of $10,000 on their projects.
Every room and space in a home may need a renovation at some point, and the following are five signs it’s time to renovate.
- Age: The National Association of Home Builders says that 50% of U.S. homes are over the age of 40. That means that age alone could dictate a need to renovate, particularly if some materials are original to the home. For example, asphalt roofs typically last 25 to 30 years, while window frames can last 20 to 50 years, depending on how well they have been maintained.
- Outdated looks: A home can look dated even if it is a relatively recent build. That’s because trends change quickly. For example, dark, cherry cabinets that were popular just a little while ago have now been replaced by lighter color palettes. Homeowners whose homes do not match the looks emulated in design magazines may consider a change, particularly if they’re planning to sell soon.
- Deterioration: Signs of water, storm or structural damage should be addressed as soon as possible. Any deterioration should be a strong indicator that it’s time to renovate.
- Efficiency: Escalating utility bills could be indicative of an inefficient home. Homeowners can conduct energy audits and then improve the areas where energy loss may be occurring, such as windows, doors, siding and insulation. Improving windows, doors, weatherstripping and insulation in a home can offer visual appeal and help homeowners save money.
The initial investment may be significant, but those costs will pay off in energy savings. According to One Main Financial, space heating is the largest energy expense the average American homeowner has, accounting for around 45% of all energy costs.
Small renovations that can make a big impact
Some homeowners may employ the mantra “go big or go home” when they embark on home improvements, thinking that only the largest renovations produce noticeable change. But that’s not the case. Various smaller renovations can provide a lot of bang for homeowners’ bucks as well.
- Countertops (and hardware): A complete kitchen overhaul may stretch some homeowners’ budgets. However, changing an older countertop for a new material can provide the facelift a kitchen needs. And while changing the cabinets may be homeowners’ ultimate goal, swapping hardware in dated finishes for newer handles and pulls can provide low-cost appeal.
- Paint: Painting a space is an inexpensive improvement that adds maximum impact. Paint can transform dark and drab rooms into bright and airy oasis. Paint also can be used to create an accent wall or cozy nooks.
- Lighting: Homeowners should not underestimate what a change in lighting can do. When rooms or exterior spaces are illuminated, they take on entirely new looks. It’s worth it to invest in new lighting, whether it’s a dramatic hanging light over the dining room table or task lighting in dim spaces.
- Accent updates: Any space, whether it’s inside or outside a home, can get a fresh look with new decorative accents. Invest in new throw pillows and even slipcovers for living room sofas. Use new tile or paint the brick on a fireplace in a den, then update the mantel with decorative displays. Purchase wall art that can bring different colors into a room. Change the cushions on deck furniture and buy color-coordinated planters.
These subtle changes will not cost as much as full-scale renovations, but they can still help homeowners transform their homes.