Home Improvement Thriving

Get ready for another resounding year for renovations and home improvement.

As we enter our third year with COVID-19, homeowners are renovating their living spaces to accommodate their needs and lifestyle changes. Working and schooling at home, aging in place and renting extra home space, remain big motivators for home improvement and renovations. Sustainability and functionality are two top considerations for remodeling consumers. The longer we are home, the more home projects we will want to do. The home improvement demand will be greater than the supply of home improvement services available to fulfill projects.

What projects are in demand
The top home improvements for 2022 are much the same as they were in 2021. According to The American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey, Outdoor Living Spaces (not including pools) was up 74% in 2021. The longer we are home, the more home projects we will want to do.

Window, Door and Wall
Improvements to roofing, siding, windows, doors, water systems and smart technology will continue to grow. More windows and doors, as well as larger glass walls are trending.

Home Office
Building additions or converting a spare room into a home office or multi-purpose space are in great demand.

Kitchen and Bath
Smarter kitchens, lighting, cabinets, island, and appliance projects will be prominent. Demand for bathroom makeovers from luxurious upgrades to practical tub conversions for seniors will increase.

Outdoor Living Space
Converting or adding extra useable space is highly desired. Patios, patio covers, decks, outdoor kitchens, grills, and tables will remain popular.

Luxury Enhancements
Homeowners are adding resort features such as steam rooms, hot tubs, workout spaces and Zen gardens for healthier lifestyle changes.

California along with Oklahoma, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas are predicted to do the most renovating in 2022.

Home improvement contractors need to prepare for a busier than ever year. Project backlogs should be accepted as the new normal. Consider labor and supply shortages that will make projects take longer to complete. Keep your workforce happy and have multiple suppliers on hand. Be selective on the projects you take on. Market to the customers who work the best for the services you offer.

Sources: The American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey: Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University: The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity