What Homeowners Are Changing About Their Homes
Swimming pools, decks, patios and porches are in high demand this summer, according to searches for pros on Houzz
Erin Carlyle
August 10, 2020
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
If you’re spending more time at home these days, there’s a good chance you’re considering how to improve it indoors and out. If so, searches on Houzz show that you’re definitely not alone.
Searches for swimming pool design and construction pros more than quadrupled (up 334%) on Houzz this June compared with June 2019. Searches for pros to work on deck, patio and porch projects nearly tripled (up 178%) in June compared with a year ago. Homeowners were also interested in indoor projects, with searches for pros to assist with home additions and extensions up 52% this June compared with last June. Read on for more details about the projects that homeowners are most interested in this summer, as revealed by searches on Houzz.
Searches for swimming pool design and construction pros more than quadrupled (up 334%) on Houzz this June compared with June 2019. Searches for pros to work on deck, patio and porch projects nearly tripled (up 178%) in June compared with a year ago. Homeowners were also interested in indoor projects, with searches for pros to assist with home additions and extensions up 52% this June compared with last June. Read on for more details about the projects that homeowners are most interested in this summer, as revealed by searches on Houzz.
Demand for Outdoor Projects Was High in June 2020
Outdoor projects topped the home improvement list, according to June 2020 search results. In addition to the swimming pool and deck, patio and porch projects already mentioned, homeowners sought out more privacy and security. Interest in fence installation and repairs was up 166% compared with the previous June. Additionally, landscape architects and contractors saw demand for their services double in June compared with June 2019.
“We’re the busiest we’ve ever been,” says landscape professional Holly Stickley of The White Pear in Portland, Oregon. “Our clients are forgoing vacations due to the coronavirus pandemic and investing in making their homes more enjoyable to shelter in place.”
Outdoor projects topped the home improvement list, according to June 2020 search results. In addition to the swimming pool and deck, patio and porch projects already mentioned, homeowners sought out more privacy and security. Interest in fence installation and repairs was up 166% compared with the previous June. Additionally, landscape architects and contractors saw demand for their services double in June compared with June 2019.
“We’re the busiest we’ve ever been,” says landscape professional Holly Stickley of The White Pear in Portland, Oregon. “Our clients are forgoing vacations due to the coronavirus pandemic and investing in making their homes more enjoyable to shelter in place.”
Homeowners Also Showed Interest in Improving Indoor Spaces
While outdoor spaces held the strongest appeal this June, homeowners also expressed interest in improving their indoor spaces — or even coming up with completely new ones. Searches for pros to work on custom homes were up 87% this June compared with the previous June, while demand for pros who can create custom kitchen cabinetry rose 82% year over year.
Homeowners also made inquiries about kitchen remodeling, up 49% this June compared with the previous June, and bathroom remodeling, up 33% year over year.
While outdoor spaces held the strongest appeal this June, homeowners also expressed interest in improving their indoor spaces — or even coming up with completely new ones. Searches for pros to work on custom homes were up 87% this June compared with the previous June, while demand for pros who can create custom kitchen cabinetry rose 82% year over year.
Homeowners also made inquiries about kitchen remodeling, up 49% this June compared with the previous June, and bathroom remodeling, up 33% year over year.
Interest in Home Remodeling Rose Across Major Metros in the U.S.
Interest in outdoor and indoor remodeling projects wasn’t limited to one region. In fact, homeowners reached out to design or remodeling pros in greater numbers across the nation. Inquiries for help from pros were up significantly this June compared with June 2019 in Boston (80%), Atlanta (73%), Chicago (72%), Houston (71%) and Miami (54%), among other areas.
Your turn: How has the pandemic influenced your desire to improve your home? Please tell us in the Comments.
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Interest in outdoor and indoor remodeling projects wasn’t limited to one region. In fact, homeowners reached out to design or remodeling pros in greater numbers across the nation. Inquiries for help from pros were up significantly this June compared with June 2019 in Boston (80%), Atlanta (73%), Chicago (72%), Houston (71%) and Miami (54%), among other areas.
Your turn: How has the pandemic influenced your desire to improve your home? Please tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Find a pro to help with your project
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
Shop for products
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Living in Southern California naturally involves spending lots of time outside. However, the pandemic has made outdoor space the most important "room" in our home. Our young adult kids use the backyard to socially distance with their friends. My recent college grad spends every weekend with her friends spaced around the fire pit. So much so that we are now going to upgrade to a new fire pit and install a gas. line as part of our current backyard remodel.
The over use of my kitchen during this pandemic caused my old hot water pipe to bust. I had no choice but to do a full kitchen remodeling due to water damage. Thank God for good insurance I have a reasonable budget to do this. I have been learning so much with Houzz about cabinetry, countertop choices and how to select a style that reflects the Drake Home. My husband and I added a pergola last May-June. from ground up. It really helped to distress. We now have a lovely meditation space.
Completed: I had all my garden paths and terraces and stairs repaired, plus I said goodbye to a long gravel path and had it paved in granite... (no more weeding, no more gravel on the lawn and elsewhere). I also got rid of overgrown shrubs by the part of the fence that seperates my property from a small wood, and replaced them with three Japanese maples against the backdrop of a hedge of yews along said fence. Upcoming this spring: surrounding the maples with ferns and perennials (mostly replanting from other parts of the garden), and getting rid of the eternal problem zone at the back of the house. The latter will involve landscaping (including low support walls to form an even surface), a big shed to store the lawn mower and other tools (which currently block a large part of my garage), and a spot surrounded by a slim hedge to store the garbage bins out of sight when you enter the garden through the back garden door. I never run out of plans, but mybudget does matter ;-)