REDEFINING FEATURES
Springiswidelycherished Spring is widely cherished as aseasonofrejuvenation.
swinter windsdown, manypeopleembrace the arrival ofspringbloomsand the regrowth of grass onthe ground andleavesonthe trees,which canbreathe newlifeintolandscapesthatmight have grownabit stale in previous months.
That same staleness can affectahome’sinterioraswell. Home interiors can benefit from periodicupdates in much thesameway alandscape benefitswhenspringbloomsreturn. As homeowners seek to refreshtheir living spaces,theycan consider these features to redefine their living rooms.
FIREPLACE
livingroom
Awood-burning fireplaceisundeniably agamechanger when looking to redefinealiving space. Butsuch aproject could be asignificant undertaking in ahomethat does not already feature awood-burningfireplace. Homeowners who want to adda wood-burning fireplacecan reinvent aliving room,but they will likely need to adhere to building codes, secure permits andevenconsult with an engineer to ensuresuch an addition does not affect the structural integrity of thehome. A gas-poweredfireplaceisalessdemanding project, butwill also requiresome extrawork if homeowners need to connect a gaslinewherenosuch line currently exists. Aplug-in electric fireplacecan create anew ambianceand will not requireas much time, effort and moneyasthe alternatives. >>
>> WALLPAPER
comeback Wallpaper can be used to draw atte
a strong color add a sense of personality
Interior designspecialists note that wallpaperi comeback.Wallpaper canbeusedtodrawatten inmuchthe same wayboldcolorsare chosen walls.Wallpaperonanaccent wall can featurea or astrongcolor to adda senseofpersonalityt that might belacking if the wallsare currentlyp neutral colors.
design specialists wallpaper is making a in much the way bold colors are for accent walls. Wallpaper on an accent feature a bold pattern that be lacking if walls are currently painted in
COFFERED CEILING
Acoffered ceilings canimmediatelyredefine the impressi people getofaliving space. Coffered ceilings featurea of rectangular,square or octagonalgrids that aretypically accentuatedbymolding.Cofferedceilingsprovide alux andevenhistoric aesthetic, makingthemanideal addit homeowners looking to redefine an existingspace.
A coffered can immediately redefine get of a living feature a se rectangular, square octagonal grids are typically accentuated by molding. Coffered ceilings provide a luxu and even historic making them an ideal
WINDOWS
New windows are another when homeowners are hoping to redefine a living room. energy-efficient, so replacing windows may rising energy costs If a yard is a notable feature a home’s exterior, new windows
design the space around the view. All extra natural
Newwindows areanother option whenhomeownersare hopingtoredefine aliving room. Modern windows are energy-efficient,soreplacing aging windowsmay help homeowners combat risingenergycosts. If ayardisa notablefeature of ahome’sexterior, newwindows that accentuatethe view froma living spacecan quickly redefine howresidentsand guests seethe room.Permits maybenecessaryifyou’reexpanding existing windows,but thatcan be worthitifyou’reableto designthe spacearoundthe view.All that extranatural lightalsomay reinvent thefeeling people getupon entering the space. HI264730
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a rundownon countertops
BKITCHENIMPROVEMENTS WITH
AHIGHRATEOFRETURN
uyerspay attentiontokitchens, which undoubtedlyaffects theROI of kitchen renovations. Accordingtothe Journal of Light Construction’s “Costvs. Value Report2025,” aminor kitchen remodel offersanROI of 113percent, while amidrange remodeloffersanROI of 51 percent.Replacing akitchen countertopcan help homeowners see improve-
ments to thefunctionality of theirspaces andimprove thevalueoftheir homes.
According to data from GrandView Research,the U.S. countertops market is projected to reach$35.57 billionin2026, drivenbyhomeownerswho desire high-valuerenovationsoverrelocating. Thosethinkingabout overhauling their spaceswith newcountertops canconsid-
er the leading materials and howthey rank in cost, maintenanceand durability.
BUTCHER BLOCK
Those who appreciatea soft, organic textureand “warmth”intheir spaces can look to butcher block.Woodismaking acomeback,asmanyhomeowners are movingawayfromstark,white designs.
>> Butcherblock is self-healing,meaning scratches canbesandedout.Butcher block costs between$50 and$150per squarefoot.
ENGINEERED QUARTZ
The National Kitchen &BathAssociation reports that 78 percentofdesignprofessionals expect quartz to be thepreferred countertopmaterialoverthe next several years. Quartz isnon-porous, so it willresist stains,scratches and bacteriainfiltration without having to be sealed.Unlikenatural stone, quartz offers pattern uniformity, which makes it easier to map out seamless transitions. Quartzcosts between$50 and $150 per squarefoot installed.
GRANITE
Granitestill holdsaconsiderablechunk of the countertops market andremains asolid standard forthose who valuea one-of-a-kind look of natural stone. Granitehas exceptional heat resistanceand addssignificant resale value. However, it requires periodicsealing to maintain itsgoodlooks.Costs range from $40 to $190per square foot.
PORCELAIN
Porcelaintiles andslabs areprojected to become thefastest-growing segment inthe ceramictiles market,accordingtoreports from Yahoo Finance. High-precisionprinting technology enablesporcelain to mimic rare marble and other stonewith superior accuracy.Porcelainisevenharderthan graniteand effectively impervious to UV rays.This makes themateriala solidchoice foroutdoor kitchens.Plus, at acostof$60 to $120 per squarefoot, it is competitive with other similarmaterials
LAMINATE
Laminateisa budget-friendlyoptionfor homeowners at $20to$80 persquare foot, butisnot as durable as othermaterials. Some laminates mimic thelook of high-end materials, andtheydon’t requiremuch maintenance. HI264736
notable features of modern
Bathrooms Bathr
Homeowners areincreasingly investingmoreintotheir bathrooms,reflecting agrowing desire forquiet luxuryand personalhealth. Accordingtothe 2026 NationalKitchen &BathAssociation (NKBA) TrendsReport, 72 percent of designers report that clients are enlarging their bathrooms to accommodate newwellness-centered features. Modernbathrooms aredefined by somenotablefeatures
HOME SPASHOWER
The NKBAreportsmorehomeownersnow prioritizea larger,feature-rich shower over justa bathtub. Steamshowers arenolonger niche;theyintegrate aromatherapy andchromotherapy (mood-enhancing light) systemsintothe designs. Althoughopen,walk-in showers arestillpopular fortheir accessibility,there’s arisingtrend inshowerpods, which areenclosed, cozy spaces that moreeffectivelyretainheat and steam.
SMARTTECHNOLOGY
Polaris Market Research says theglobal smartbathroom market is projected to exceed $11 billion in 2026. Technology focused on efficiency andhygiene is popular. Intelligent toiletsthat have self-cleaning UV nozzles,heatedseats andmotion-activated lidsare risinginpopularity.Smart faucetswithprecise flow controland leak detectionalso arebecomingstandard, withHouzz saying sustainability features likethese area must-have for84percent of renovators.
Bathrooms aremorethan just places to wash up.These spaces areevolvingfrom utilitarianrooms to high-tech sanctuarieswithall themodern conveniences one can imagine.
AGING IN PLACE ELEMENTS
Features once associatedwith gettingolder arenow beingrebranded as high-end designelements.AccordingtoForbes, curblessentries and built-in benches aresomeluxurysafetyfeatures built into modern bathrooms.
EVOLVING MINIMALISM
Organic minimalism is adefining style withinmodernbathroom trends for2026. This idea prioritizes clean lookswithnatural materialslikestone andwood, whichare replacing cool graysand starkwhitesthathavebeen dominating bathroom schemes for sometime, accordingtoRe-Bath design expert JennyMars. Designers favorlarge-format slabs or tiles to minimizegrout lines. Earthy tones likesagegreen,terracotta, and warm wood vanities also arepopular
LAYERED LIGHTING
Designprosare usinglighting as afunctional tool, andsay that task lightingmust be layeredfor the best effect.Nighttime-specific low-glowlightingand integrated mirror LEDs supporta natural circadianrhythm whileoffering comfortand safety. The NKBA says 91 percent of respondents cite lighting as atop priorityin theirbathroomdesigns. Mood lighting in showersand other lightingfeatures arepopular requests. HI264740
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THE SIGNTHATA BUSINESS IS HONEST AND ETHICAL
interiordesign
REPURPOSE YOUR DININGROOM
Arecent study by Realtor.comfound formal diningrooms areoften themost underutilized squarefootage in homes, and asignificant percentageofMillennial and Gen Zhomeowners preferflexible “lifestyle rooms”overdiningspaces.Sowhat can homeowners whose dining room tables are coveredinmail or thekids’homeworkdo to repurposethe space intosomething they will actually use?The following arefiveideas to repurpose aformaldiningroom into amore usablespace.
LOUNGE
Those whoenjoyhostingfriends or family withoutsitting down to formaldinnersmight appreciatetransformingthe diningspace into acocktaillounge. Swappingthe dining room tableand chairs forlow swivel chairs arounda coffee table or high-backedbar stools around bar tables easilyconvertsthe seating space. A built-inwet bar or abar carthelps complete
Traditional formal dining rooms arenot as necessary as they were ageneration or twoago.
this social hub forintimateconversation. Paint theroom in darker colors or usetexturedwallpapertosimulateanafter-hours feel that separates the spacefromthe rest of thehouse.
MUSICSPACE
Homeowners who playaninstrument may appreciatea designated spacefor jam sessions. Dining roomswithhigh ceilings andbarefloorsoften provide excellent acoustics formusic.Complement the spacewitha high-tech audiosystemand sound baffling panels forthose whoplan to record.
LIBRARY
Homeowners cancreatea digitaldetox zone by wayofacozylibrary.A timelesschoice, a library canfeature floor-to-ceiling bookshelvesorbuilt-ins and comfortable reading chairsstationed by awindow.
HOME OFFICE
Hybridworkisa permanent fixture in today’s career landscape.Adining room located near the frontofthe home presents aprime locationfor aprofessional workspace. Replace atable with asleek executivedesk. An existing buffet or sideboardcan be repurposedasprinter storageorfor filing. Consider adding Frenchdoors or partitions to provide privacy withoutcompromising on light flow
HOMEWORKZONE
Activefamiliesmay need to transformthe diningroom into ahomework labthat offers a quietspacefor educational pursuits.Organized cabinetrycan houseschool materials, craft supplies, and much more, confiningitall to oneroom. Locating the computer in the spacecreates acentralized “safe” spot for internetbrowsing and monitoring young childreninthe process. HI264741
ROO S ROOFS ARUNDOWN ON ROOFING
No twohomerenovation projects arethe same. Someprojectsare highly detailed undertakingsthat takemonthsifnot yearsfromstart to finish, while otherscan be tackled by skilleddo-it-yourselfers overthe course of asingle weekend. Thougheachproject is different, categorizingrenovations as needs orwantscan help homeowners determine when thetime is rightto goforward.
Roofreplacement projectstypically fall into the“need” category. Adecaying roof can jeopardize the safety andsecurityofahomeand leadtoadditional issues,likewater damage. It’s unwise to delayroof replacementprojectswhen signs of adecaying roof starttoappear.Homeownerswho arestarting to seesuch indicators can look to this rundown of roof replacement projects as they beginthe process of replacing their roof
COST
Roof replacementcosts vary considerably dependingonahost of variables. Materials, location and thecost of labor, dimensions of theroof,and even choice of contractor all affect thecost of the project.The homerenovation experts at Angi
WATER FOUNTAINS
Waterfountains canserve as stunning focal points in outdoor living spaces. Outdoor fountains areidealfor anyone hoping to createanoutdoor oasis, as fewsights andsounds promotea calming atmosphere as effectively as softlyflowing waterina cast stone fountain. Fountainsalsoattract birds, which can add to thesoothing sounds of abackyardescape.
uniquefeatures for
OUTDOOR LIVING
Outdoor living spaces arewildly popular.A 2023 studyconductedbyBrown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens foundthat 63 percent of homeowners indicatedtheywould prioritize an outdoor living spaceifthey were to remodel their homes.
Homeownersciteamultitude of motivations regarding their interest in upgrading their outdoor living spaces.The 2024 U.S. Outdoor Trends StudyfromHouzz Research found thatmorethan half of
homeowners who participated in the study (51 percent)wanttorenovate to improveaesthetics, while 37 percent hopedtoenhanceentertaining spaces. One-thirdviewrenovating outdoor spaces as agreat waytoextendthe living space of theirhomes.Homeowners whoshare these motivations and arecommittedto renovatingtheiroutdoor living areas can look to these unique featurestofulfill all three goals
HAMMOCK
Ahammock is asimple yetunique, functional andaffordable featureto consider foranoutdoor living space. If the existing landscaping allows, situate ahammock betweentwo tall, sturdy trees. Such asight can contributetoa welcoming and calming ambianceinan outdoor living space, and provide extra room to lounge and relax beneath the shade of trees. >>
>> SHADESTRUCTURE
Gone arethe days when homeowners’ most accessible option to createshade on patios and decks were umbrellas extending outfromthe center of outdoor dining tables. Pergolasand gazebos arenow available in awiderange of shapes andstyles,making these amust-havefor homeowners whowant to entertainwhile ensuring guests remaincomfortableonhot days.A hardtopgazebowith roof hookstoaccommodatefans,lights andevenplants can serveasanaesthetically appealingsafehaven from summer sun.
GAME ZONE
If entertaining is theprimarymotivation behind an outdoor livingspace renovation, then designate part of thespace forgames and activities. Adesignated bocce courtwill draw visitorswho want to relax and enjoy alittle friendly competition away fromdining areasand otherspaces. Asmallputtinggreen can
THEPOPULARITY OF OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES REMAINS HIGH.HOMEOWNERS HOPINGTOENHANCE THEIR EXISTING SPACES CAN CONSIDER ANUMBER OF UNIQUE FEATURESTOMEET THEIRGOALS. SH262605 Ad obeS to ck
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indicatethe average roof replacementproject costs $9,500. Asphalt is among themoreaffordable roofing materials, costing an average of $1 to $1.20 persquarefoot, according to Nerdwallet. Slate roofs will be moreexpensive, costing anywhere from $10 to $30 per squarefoot.
LIFE EXPECTANCY
Homeowners mayblanch at thecost of aroof replacementproject,particularly if theychoosea more expensivematerial. However, it’s importantto keep lifeexpectancy in mind when receiving roof estimates. Many homeownersnever replacea roof twice, making this apotentially costly but ultimately one-time expense. Though slateroofsare expensive, homeownersmay finditreassuring that estimates from variousroofing resourcesindicateslateroofs come with alifeexpectancy ranging from 50 to 200 years.Bycontrast, Nerdwalletestimates an asphalt roof lastsaround 10 to 20 years, while others suggest such roofscan last as long as 30 years.
MATERIALS
allow golferstoworkontheir short games, and suchspacescan offerample opportunities forfun if homeowners are inclinedtohostputting contestsduring backyardbarbecues. Whatever game tickles homeowners’ fancy, designating aspaceexclusively forgamescan up the entertainment value of an outdoor living space.
Choice of materials is arguably themost significant decision homeowners will make when replacinga roof.The experts at This Old House reportthat materials typically account for55to65percent of theoverall cost of aroof replacement project. Decisions regarding roof materials will be affected by budget, local climate(certain materials are better suited to particular climatesthanothers), aesthetic appeal, andrequired maintenance. It’s also important that homeowners consider the material warrantyofeach roofing product. Some materials offer longerwarranties than others, whichcan provide ameasureofsecuritytohomeowners investing so muchinthe project
AROOFREPLACEMENTPROJECT IS NOTA RENOVATIONTHATCAN BE DELAYED WHENSIGNS THEROOF IS FADINGSTART TO APPEAR. HOMEOWNERSARE URGEDTO CONSIDER AWIDERANGE OF VARIABLES BEFORE COMMITTING TO APROJECT. SH262597
