What were the most popular home improvement projects in 2020?

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Many households took on home improvement projects, with most of the world spending more time than ever at home throughout 2020. A silver lining to the COVID pandemic has been the extra time available for people to get to those home improvement projects that have been on the back-burner for years. As well as the additional downtime, people have been forced to take certain projects into their own hands because of a lack of available services.

The State of Home Spending report showed that the average spend on home improvement and remodeling projects increased by $745 from 2019. Despite the economic strain of COVID, some households experienced increased disposable income because of reduced travel, dining, and entertainment expenditure. Among the home projects undertaken in 2020, many households opted to improve their homes’ condition by installing ductless mini-split systems. Others chose to enhance their leisure time with a new patio or deck. If you are considering repairing or remodeling your home, here are the most popular home projects in 2020 for inspiration.

Outdoor Decking

As a DIY endeavor, installing outdoor decking is no easy feat. However, 14% of home projects in 2020 involved putting in outdoor decking or a patio. As a versatile outdoor space, a deck can bring a host of benefits to the household, including increasing the resale value. No matter the area’s size, a deck allows you to spend time outdoors and appreciate the full extent of your property. If you’re lucky enough to have room for a large deck, you can look forward to countless summer evenings eating, drinking or relaxing outdoors.

For families with young kids, a deck is a fantastic place to create a play area. Kids can get some well-needed time absorbing the sun and enjoying the fresh air, yet they are close enough for parents to keep an eye on them.

Integrating Smart Technology

Virtually all home appliances are now smart technology-enabled. While smartphone-controlled coffee machines or remote-controlled vacuum cleaners have a novelty appeal, 2020 has seen people install smart technology that improves their home’s efficiency and safety.

Basic household appliances, like thermostats, smoke detectors and lightbulbs, are now smart technology-enabled. They can be monitored, adjusted and accessed using an app or smart device, allowing you to increase your home’s efficiency at the touch of a button. Many households also upgraded to video doorbells for enhanced security. Virtual assistants are commonplace and usually linked to speakers and TVs for voice control.

Colour Makeovers

As a relatively cheap DIY project, indoor and outdoor painting can add tremendous value to a house. It’s also something that can be enjoyed as a family. Getting children involved in painting teaches them a skill, gives them a sense of achievement and makes the workload a little less for parents. Besides painting, wallpaper or accent pieces such as cushions, rugs, throws and lampshades are also a popular way to add a splash of colour to rejuvenate your interior space.

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Kitchen Remodeling

According to the State of Home Spending report, 70% of the population claimed to be cooking more at home because of the pandemic. Considering that statistic, it’s no surprise that kitchen remodeling was a popular home project throughout the year.

A House Method survey showed a willingness for people to carry out various kitchen renovations themselves. New backsplashes, cabinets and countertops were all popular projects throughout 2020, allowing people to enjoy the increased cooking time during the year. It’s reported that remodeling brings a significant amount of satisfaction to homeowners. It gives them an increased desire to spend time at home and brings them more joy while they’re in the house.

Heating and Cooling Upgrades

Some households focused on upgrading HVAC systems within their homes to create a more efficient and comfortable home environment. Installing a mini-split system is one of the most effective ways to conserve energy and gain increased control over a building’s temperature. 

Because a mini split system does not require ductwork or extensive remodeling, handy individuals may be able to DIY install a ductless mini-split system. However, to properly connect the electrical cables and add coolant to the refrigerant lines, it generally requires a professional to safely install one.

A mini-split system is designed to control the temperature of specific zones within a building.

It is the ideal solution for a household that experiences fluctuating temperatures in different areas of the house. For example, some homes are sweltering upstairs during the summer but cool downstairs when the sun goes down. A multi-zone mini-split system allows you to expel cool air upstairs while regulating the downstairs with warm air.

Gardening and Landscaping

In previous years, summers may have been spent abroad on the beach, visiting friends or traversing the land on a road trip. However, 2020 saw many of us commit countless hours to our gardens. One of the biggest benefits of gardening is improved physical and mental wellbeing. From sowing herbs to planting flowers and outdoor paving to large-scale landscaping, gardening helped manage the pandemic’s stress.

Growing food became a hugely popular project. As a family activity, children and adults can learn a lot from growing fruits and vegetables. It gives a strong sense of pride when you can enjoy the nutritional benefits of homegrown food.

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Bathroom Renovations

Bathroom renovations were one of the top three completed home renovations of 2020. The average spend on home improvement products per household equated to the cost of a new bathtub, shower or countertops. 

Bathroom projects are often completed because of poor or faulty plumbing or repairs to vanities and bathroom fixtures. However, with more people staying at home in 2020, many bathroom renovations were performed to improve aesthetics and comfort. Due to the complexity, some tasks need to be done by a professional plumber or electrician.

What Home Improvement Trends Will Emerge in 2021?

Although we all hope that 2021 will be a more prosperous year than 2020, total normality may not be a reality until the end of the year. This could spell the beginning of some new home project trends. Whether you want to increase your home’s value or find a worthwhile project to invest your time, home improvements are always a great idea.

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