As we pack up the garland and the lights and make our list of resolutions, our empty halls often have us dreaming of a new renovation this time of year. With materials remaining high and labor more expensive these days, homeowners want to get the most value from any renovation they undertake. So how do we decide where to invest? The editors at 365 Collective sat down with local architects Susan Alisberg of Alisberg Parker Architect, LLC in Old Greenwich, CT, and Stewart Skolnick of Haver & Skolnick Architects in Southbury, CT, to get their best advice on the dos and don’ts of making meaningful and lasting changes to your home this year.
Do: Consider the Kitchen
“The heart of the home is, and will always be, the kitchen,” says Alisberg. “A thoughtfully renovated kitchen delivers the highest return on investment by enhancing both daily living and overall resale value.” A total kitchen renovation can allow you to improve function and flow, making a direct impact on daily living. It’s also one of the places homeowners look first when searching for their next home. “It’s where families and friends gather and spend the most time, so updated finishes, appliances and improved functionality make an immediate impact.”
Focus on storage and prep space, advises Skolnick, who recently completed a whole-house renovation that included a 12-foot by 5-foot island with seating for six. “The islands we’ve designed have grown and grown,” says Skolnick, noting that homeowners increasingly want more casual living space and less formal space. As most high-end kitchens include built-in appliances, he says, invest in reliable and high quality appliances that will last the life of the kitchen you design—or close to it. And lastly, design storage for wine and liquor. “One of the most popular commodities that were being asked for, whether it be a bar or a pub, or a walk in wine cellar, are accommodations for alcohol and wine.” If there is no room for a separate wine cellar, wine storage in the kitchen or pantry is a must.
Do: Update Bathrooms
“When a bathroom feels dated, the entire home feels dated,” notes Alisberg, who ranks bathrooms a close second when it comes to valuable investments. “Modernizing bathrooms with clean lines, new fixtures, and timeless materials not only elevates day-to-day comfort but also signals to buyers that the house has been well-maintained.”
Do: Improve Flow
Sometimes it’s not about updating one room but rather improving the flow of your spaces. Opening up interiors to make them feel more connected or improving connections to your outdoor living spaces can make your home feel larger, more contemporary and more desirable without adding square footage. Widening doorways or removing walls between the kitchen and family room or dining room is a wise investment, recommends Alisberg. “If the home’s structure allows, opening the floor plan is a transformative renovation,” she adds. “Enhancing indoor–outdoor connections through larger doors, covered terraces, or transitional spaces is increasingly desirable, especially in climates where outdoor living is part of everyday life. These upgrades create an expansive, luxurious feel and significantly boost appeal and value.”
Don’t: Choose Tech Just Because It’s New
“Technology evolves so quickly that homeowners need to be strategic about what they commit to. The key is to invest in innovations that enhance daily living but don’t lock you into components that may become obsolete,” says Alisberg. For example, a few years ago there was a trend in new construction to replace traditional outlets with built-in USB ports. “We consistently discouraged clients from doing this because hard-wiring a specific technology into the walls rarely ages well,” she adds. “Sure enough, the original USB port design was quickly replaced, and those integrated outlets now feel outdated.”
Rather, invest in technology with staying power that improves function and efficiency. Increasingly popular choices for homeowners, says Skolnick, are geothermal heating and cooling and integrated technology like a Creston system so homeowners can control temperature, lights, music and the like from their phone. “With fuel and energy being what it is today, most clients are asking what they can do to make their house fuel efficient and almost all the houses we do today are geothermal,” he says.
Don’t: Overcomplicate Layouts
Homeowners today lean toward simpler interiors with less formal and more casual living spaces that serve today’s lifestyle, advises Alisberg. Rather than spending on corbels and columns, prioritize natural light to make homes feel brighter and more open. Larger windows help connect your home to its surroundings.
Don’t: Save Integral Updates for Later
When you’re doing a major renovation, don’t skimp or delay updates if they are integral to the project, advises Skolnick. “What we try to tell people when they’re doing a renovation is stretch as much as possible because you don’t want to keep doing renovations,” he adds. “You want to do one significant renovation and be done with it.” If the project includes adding a wing or exterior construction, those can be held for a later date, but updates that are integral with the overall construction should be addressed together. For example, new windows should be done in tandem with new siding; a kitchen, butler’s pantry and open family room should seamlessly be designed together.
Do: Splurge on Spaces You Live in Most
No matter your budget, prioritize the rooms you spend the most time in, says Alisberg. The kitchen, primary living spaces and primary bedroom suite are areas where she recommends spending more of your budget.
“The people who are making this renovation possible live in [the primary suite] for eight hours a day and use the bathroom twice a day at least so that primary bedroom suite with bathroom and walk-in closet has to be everything they ever desired,” agrees Skolnick. In the bedroom, focus on storage, daily routine and relaxation, he adds, noting that homeowners today look for primary suites that have bathrooms with double vanities, a freestanding soaking tub to wind down at the end of the day and a multi-head shower for an invigorating morning refresh, and his and hers closets. If there is room, consider a sanctuary spot like a window seat or chaise.
For less-frequently inhabited spaces, plan to find a balance and stay to a budget. “In secondary spaces, we look for opportunities to save without sacrificing design,” says Alisberg. “We advise using well-designed, cost-effective materials that still feel timeless and refined.”
