Five trending upgrades for 2022 that will have lasting impact

The Leading Indicator for Remodeling Activity from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies predicts a steady and significant rise in remodeling projects that is projected to reach $401 billion of annual spending by the third quarter of 2022. If you’re looking to make some moves with home renovation projects in the New Year, here are five impactful ideas.

Refresh the staircase. If you have dated carpet or worn treads on your stairs, you have a prime opportunity to revamp a central component of your home for a small investment. It could be as simple as installing new treads, selecting new paint for the walls and maybe a new stain on the trim. To go the extra mile, local ironworkers are often happy to custom fabricate a handrail.

Modernize the bathroom. With no major construction involved, you can transform your bathroom vanity over the course of a weekend. Select new hardware that looks bold and stately (think chrome bars, not little plastic knobs) to match the tones in your countertop, and then remove the cabinets to give them a fresh, neutral shade. If you’re over the white-on-white bathroom look, try a dramatic dark finish to make new fixtures pop.

Install new flooring. Research flooring with a good combination of durability and timeless aesthetics, like the Duravana hybrid resilient flooring, a waterproof and eco-friendly product exclusive to LL Floor-ing. Duravana’s range of styles are designed to replicate the natural color, grain and texture of real hardwood, with more unique plank patterns than traditional vinyl plank or laminate. Plus, its easy-click installation makes it DIY friendly. Learn more at LLFlooring.com.

Organize the mudroom. A little bit of organization in an entryway can make a huge difference in the functionality and flow of the home. Start with simple shoe and boot storage, like a DIY bench or wall rack, so those items don’t spill out to hallways and bedrooms. Wall hooks are helpful for when guests arrive. And if you don’t have a true mudroom, a bit of wall-mounted storage can make even the slimmest entryway feel intentional and inviting.

Define outdoor spaces. Once the snow melts, adding a dedicated lounge to your back or side yard can feel like adding a whole room’s worth of square footage to your house. It could be as easy as a new patio set and a fire pit with some gravel or simple flagstone landscaping.

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