For the past few years, American homeowners have been staying put. Real estate analysts attribute this “holding pattern” to several factors, with mortgage rates being the most important. Homeowners, particularly those who locked in a rate of 2 or 3% several years ago, are loath to sell their property and then be forced to shop for a new mortgage with a much higher mortgage rate.
Because of this trend, along with an increase in multigenerational family households and the cumulative wear and tear on high traffic areas such as kitchens and baths, many homeowners have opted to renovate rather than vacate their residence. According to the most recent American Housing Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, American homeowners spent about $827 billion on home improvement projects in the two-year period ending in 2023, an increase of more than $200 billion over the previous two-year period.
As this trend suggests, home renovations can be expensive, not to mention, inconvenient. Just ask any family who decided to renovate an older, out-of-date kitchen. After $90,000+ in labor and materials, and 6-9 months of having no workable kitchen, the financial and personal commitment can be maddening. As a result of this double whammy, many homeowners decide to take a more measured approach to bringing a home into the 21st Century. More and more, they are looking for high impact, low budget renovations.
What This Means for You — Planning and executing high impact, low budget home improvement projects, where some or all of the work is done by the homeowners, are not only possible, but can be very rewarding – financially and personally. If you’re looking for some good ideas for this “quest,” keep reading!
Acme Brick is more than just brick. We offer a wide array of home improvement products, and many lend themselves to high impact renovations that can be done in days, rather than months. Click here for more ideas.
Whether it involves improving the family’s quality of life or getting a home ready for sale, planning will always involve asking the question: What are we going to do about the kitchen?
So how much does a kitchen remodel increase home value? According to a 2023 survey from Remodeling Magazine, a kitchen remodel can average anywhere from 31.7% to 85.7% of its cost at resale depending on the size of the project. In many cases, homeowners do not have the budget for a total kitchen renovation. So, finding less expensive improvements can make a big impact in the busiest room in the house. Here are some ideas to consider.
Lungarno Marrakesh tile backspash in Medina Green, available at Acme Brick Tile & Stone
The editors of House Beautiful magazine note, “As we’re taking notice of emerging design trends for 2025, we’re seeing a lot of kitchens with seamless backsplash transitions that match the countertops to the cabinets. Also trending are neutral-toned backsplashes that highlight colorful cabinetry. But on the other end of the spectrum, bold and unique backsplashes are also incredibly popular.
“From sleek black subway tiles to stone counter splashes, when it comes to kitchen backsplash ideas, there are plentiful options that add a major design moment to a highly functional space.”
Here are five tips the magazine suggests for high impact in the kitchen:
Any improvement in the kitchen’s storage capacity will pay big dividends. According to the editors of Better Homes & Gardens, “Whether your kitchen is large or small, ample storage is always a smart home improvement idea. Take advantage of an unclaimed wall or corner space with open shelves to keep dishes, spices, and frequently used cookware within easy reach. If you like to entertain, consider mounting a wine rack next to or under upper cabinets.”
Families consume thousands of gallons of water each year. Installing a water filter under the sink is an inexpensive hack (less than $150) to make this water taste better while removing impurities. Plus, this can be done by the homeowner, saving professional installation charges.
Photo credit: evgeniykleymenov / Adobe Stock
The proliferation of small appliances such as food processors, slow cookers, air-fryers, mixers, coffee makers and toasters can wreak havoc on the countertop space. One inexpensive way to reclaim this space is to install a simple appliance lift in a base cabinet. This can be an easy and inexpensive DIY project, completed over a weekend. The basic spring-loaded hardware and required wood supports are all that are needed.
One of the Acme Top 10 Home Design Trends for 2025 pointed to a shift in concern about health and wellness. Because of its traffic and constant moisture, there is greater potential for germs in the bathroom.
According to several sources, including this one in 2023, the national median investment on a major master bathroom remodel project was about $21,000. It’s a busy place, and remodeling a bathroom can be expensive. However, there are other inexpensive ways to make this space better. Here are three tips to consider.
Fireplace update featuring Romabio Classico Limewash
Few areas of a home give more comfort than a warm fireplace. Unfortunately, the heat and smoke over many years can make any fireplace seem dated. According to the editors of Home & Garden, they suggest “giving the fireplace a facelift.”
Painting brick might seem like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. For a quick look at the colors, textures and chemical composition of Romabio limewash for brick, just click here.
Wood floors take a beating in any home. This is what happens when people are constantly walking on you! Restoring the shine to wood floors is easy and inexpensive. All it takes is a little “elbow grease.”
The experts at BH&G note, “Restore your floor’s shine factor by polishing with a product that is specifically designed for hardwood floors. A wooden floor should be polished once a year and every four to six months in high-traffic areas of the home.”
Interior accent wall featuring Cherokee Mosstown thin brick from Acme Brick Tile & Stone
Because of its wide range of colors and styles, plus its ease of installation, thin brick is a great design strategy for adding an accent wall for high impact. This is real brick that is sized thinner. Designers love it and so can homeowners!
For a look at the wide array of thin brick from Acme, just click here.
Photo credit: ungvar / Adobe Stock
Many homeowners are amazed at the change that occurs when crown molding is added to a room. As the BH&G editors notes, “Trimwork and crown molding are accessories for walls, doors, and windows. Whether you’re replacing the old trim or adorning your walls for the first time, you can transform a room with trim in just a weekend. Give your home a complete look with affordable, off-the-rack moldings from a local home improvement center. For a deluxe custom look, you can layer pieces of crown molding around entryways and ceilings.”
Whether the renovation is for a better family quality of life or to make potential buyers add your home to their short list, curb appeal and first impressions are very important. Here are three tips on making this happen from this source.
Photo credit: rawpixel.com / Adobe Stock
One of the most interesting trends highlighted in the annual Acme Brick What’s Hot for 2025 survey was the popularity of wallpaper. Not-so-coincidentally, this strategy is an excellent strategy for high-impact and low budget renovation. The styles and colors are virtually unlimited, the expense for the wallpaper can be moderate, and the work can be completed by the homeowner in a weekend. That’s a win/win/win. To get some great tips on this amazing remodeling strategy, just click here.
Photo credit: Kirill Gorlov / Adobe Stock
If you’ve ever stumbled over a bicycle, only to knock over the skis while searching (endlessly) for that portable drill/screwdriver to take down the Christmas lights, you appreciate one of the best renovation hacks of all: organizing the garage. The “tricks to this trade” involve getting the right storage shelving, ceiling hooks, cement paint and “a place for everything, and everything in its place. Getting the garage right is not easy, but it’s VERY inexpensive.
For the ultimate playbook for this reno hack, just take a deep breath and click here.
These 20 renovation tips all have two things in common: They are inexpensive and can be completed by homeowners themselves. And when they turn out great, just imagine how good that feeling will be!
Need home improvement products that are “best in class?” Click here for some great ideas.
