Home renovations remain popular, but homeowners are approaching projects more thoughtfully, focusing on features that enhance long-term livability. Today’s homeowners would rather choose carefully and design a forever home than move.
According to the 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study, just over half of the homeowners surveyed took on renovation projects in 2025, with median spending holding at $20,000.
Although renovation activity is steady year over year, the mindset behind those projects is shifting. Many of today’s most common updates are less about dramatic transformations and more about making home work better day to day.
For new construction buyers, this offers a useful lens during the home search. According to the trends revealed in Houzz’s survey, the spaces that influence a home’s functionality: kitchens, storage, laundry, and outdoor areas, are among the most popular renos.
Meanwhile, in many new homes, those features are already integrated into the design. Instead of planning future projects, buyers can focus on finding a home that already supports how they want to live today.
These renovation trends from the Houzz report highlight what homeowners are adding after move-in and what buyers can look for up front during their home search.
Function Is Leading, Especially in the Kitchen
Kitchens remain the most renovated room, although homeowners are treating the heart of the home as a multifunctional space where the household gathers, in addition to cooking and chores. Design is utility-based, but also should encourage people to linger and socialize.
For kitchen renos, homeowners are spending more time planning layouts, reworking storage, and improving flow. Function is leading the conversation, often as much as style. New-build kitchens are being designed with islands that support prep and gathering, storage that is easier to access, and a clearer sense of how the space will be used throughout the day.
For new-home buyers, the distinction can mean walking into a kitchen that aligns with the function they are after, without the need for a major overhaul.
The Rise of the “In-Between” Spaces
Beyond the kitchen, some of the fastest-growing renovation activity is happening in spaces that were once overlooked.
Laundry rooms, closets, and entry areas are getting more attention, especially among younger homeowners. These are the spaces people tend to revisit and make changes first after moving in, once daily routines take shape.
That pattern is starting to influence how new-build homes are designed. Rather than leaving these areas as afterthoughts, many builders are bringing them forward, with walk-in closets that include built-in storage, dedicated laundry rooms with cabinetry, and entry spaces that help manage everyday clutter.
It’s a subtle shift, but one that changes how a home functions from the moment you move in.
Younger Buyers Want It All, Right Away
Gen Z may still be a small share of homeowners, but their expectations are already shaping the market.
Many start renovating almost immediately after moving in. In fact, according to the Houzz survey, 63% begin updates right away, often focusing on kitchens, laundry rooms, and closets.
That expectation aligns closely with what new construction can offer. For a generation that values efficiency and organization, the appeal is clear. New construction means less to update, more to enjoy right away.
Outdoor Space That Feels Like Part of the Home
Outdoor living continues to be another area where homeowners are investing after move-in.
Patios, decks, and covered areas are among the most common upgrades, often added after move-in to make the home feel more complete. The goal is to create an outdoor space that connects naturally to everyday living.
New construction is increasingly delivering that connection upfront. Outdoor areas are being designed alongside the home, with direct access from main living spaces and enough structure to support regular use. As homes become smaller and right-sized, built-in outdoor space starts to carry more weight.
Surface-Impact Upgrades Are Popular
Small surface-impact upgrades are appealing to homeowners because they are typically lower cost, and elevate style effectively. Paint, lighting, and plumbing fixtures remain some of the most common purchases.
In renovations and in new construction alike, surface-impact changes allow homeowners to personalize a space easily and meaningfully.
In a new home, those updates often become finishing touches rather than fixes. With layouts and key features already in place, the focus can shift to layering in details rather than reworking the foundation.
Want to Skip the Renovation Phase ?
Taken together, these renovation trends point to a clear shift. Homeowners are no longer updating just to refresh a space, but are making their homes easier to live in for longer.
Much of what people are renovating today comes down to fixing gaps they discover after moving in. For new construction house hunters, the option is there to start with a home that already supports daily life, instead of planning how to make it work later.
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This article was originally published on Builderonline.com.
Hero image: Design by CROSS; Photography by Joshua Nolden
