If you’ve been going back and forth between living with your home’s quirks or diving into a remodel, here’s something to keep in mind: the right upgrades or what you call high ROI projects can boost your resale value and help you fall in love with your home all over again.
According to the 2025 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of REALTORS®, Americans spent a whopping $603 billion on home renovations in 2024. And it’s not just about aesthetics—buyers today are less willing to overlook wear and tear. In fact, 46% say they’re not as open to compromising on condition anymore. That means your home’s value could come down to a few smart upgrades.
But before you grab a sledgehammer or start tearing out tile, let’s look at the projects that deliver the highest return—and the biggest emotional reward.
Let’s Talk Numbers: Which Home Upgrades Pay Off Most
If selling is even remotely on your radar, some renovations or high ROI projects you make have better return than others. According to the data, here are the updates that deliver the biggest bang for your buck:
- New Steel Front Door – 100% of the cost recovered
- Closet Renovation – 83%
- New Fiberglass Front Door – 80%
- New Vinyl Windows – 74%
- New Wood Windows – 71%
- Basement-to-Living Area Conversion – 71%
- Attic-to-Living Area Conversion – 71%
- Complete Kitchen Renovation – 60%
- Minor Kitchen Update – 60%
- Adding a New Bathroom – 56%
- New Primary Suite Addition – 54%
- Bathroom Renovation – 50%
And don’t underestimate the power of the little things—fresh paint, modern lighting, or new cabinet hardware can go a long way in how a space feels and looks.
It’s Not Just About ROI—It’s About How Your Home Makes You Feel
Sure, remodeling can boost your home’s value—but it can also change how you feel about the space you live in every day. That’s where the Joy Score comes in: a simple 1-to-10 scale that reflects how happy homeowners were with their renovations.
Here are the projects that brought the most happiness:
- Adding a Primary Bedroom Suite – 10/10
- Kitchen Upgrade – 10/10
- New Roof – 10/10
- Bathroom Renovation – 9.8/10
- Complete Kitchen Renovation – 9.7/10
- Painting an Interior Room – 9.3/10
- Installing New Wood Floors – 9.1/10
- Basement Conversion to Living Space – 8.8/10
- Painting Exterior Siding – 8.8/10
- New Front Door – 7.5/10
- New Siding – 7.3/10
- New Garage Door – 7/10
But the emotional payoff goes even deeper:
- 64% of homeowners said they wanted to be at home more after remodeling
- 46% felt they enjoyed their home more
- 55% experienced a real sense of accomplishment
- And if money weren’t a factor? A whopping 92% said they’d do even more projects
Sometimes, the best reason to remodel isn’t resale—it’s simply falling back in love with where you live.
Remodel Now, Enjoy Now—Profit Later with High-ROI Projects for 2025
Just because you’re not planning to list your home next week doesn’t mean those updates aren’t worth it. In fact, most homeowners (about 1 in 4) tackle remodeling projects to refresh aging finishes, not because they’re preparing to sell. Only 18% said they’re renovating with a sale in mind over the next couple of years.
The takeaway? Smart updates can do both: make your home feel better now and help you sell for more later. It’s a win-win.