16 'Outdated' Home Design Trends That Are Better Than Modern Trends
BuzzFeed highlights timeless design choices that hold value. Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs Value 2025 shows exterior projects (garage door 267.7%, entry door 216.4%) outperform most interior remodels. Regional and market conditions affect returns.
Ready to run the numbers?
Why: Home renovations can add value at resale, but ROI varies by project type, region, and market. Understanding Cost vs Value helps you prioritize projects that pay off.
How: We use Remodeling Magazine Cost vs Value 2025 data by project type, apply regional multipliers (Pacific, West South-Central strongest), market condition, material quality, and DIY savings to estimate your ROI.
Run the calculator when you are ready.
📊 ROI by Project Type
National average ROI (Cost vs Value 2025)
📈 Value Added vs Cost Curve
Value added at resale by project cost
🍩 Cost Breakdown
Labor, materials, other (DIY reduces labor)
📊 Regional ROI Differences
ROI by region for your project type
Estimated ROI
Value added: $39,515. Adds more value than cost at resale. Near national average.
For educational and informational purposes only. Verify with a qualified professional.
BuzzFeed\'s "16 \'Outdated\' Home Design Trends That Are Better Than Modern Trends" highlights timeless choices that hold value. Remodeling Magazine\'s Cost vs Value 2025 shows exterior projects (garage door 267.7%, entry door 216.4%) outperform most interior remodels. This calculator estimates ROI by region, market, and project type. Sources: BuzzFeed, Remodeling Magazine, NAR, Zillow.
Key Takeaways
- • Exterior projects (garage door, entry door, stone veneer) deliver 200%+ ROI per Cost vs Value 2025
- • Minor kitchen remodel (112.9%) is the only interior project in the top five
- • Pacific and West South-Central regions report strongest returns
- • DIY can improve ROI by reducing labor cost (typically 35% of project)
Did You Know?
How Does Home Renovation ROI Work?
ROI = (Value Added at Resale ÷ Project Cost) × 100%. Remodeling Magazine surveys real estate professionals to estimate value added. Regional multipliers reflect local housing trends. Market condition (hot/stable/soft) and material quality also affect returns.
DIY reduces your cost by saving labor (typically 35% of project cost), which can raise ROI if quality is maintained. High-end materials may add 5% to value; economy materials may reduce it by 10%.
Expert Tips
Cost vs Value by Project Type
| Project | Typical Cost | ROI % |
|---|---|---|
| Garage door | ~$4,700 | 267.7% |
| Steel entry door | ~$2,400 | 216.4% |
| Stone veneer | ~$11,700 | 207.9% |
| Minor kitchen | ~$28,500 | 112.9% |
| Wood deck | ~$18,300 | 94.9% |
| Bathroom | ~$15-25K | ~60% |
Regional Variations
Pacific and West South-Central regions report the strongest overall returns. Regional differences reflect local housing trends, material costs, and buyer preferences. Backup generators show higher ROI in hurricane-prone areas. Use costvsvalue.com for 119 local market data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is home renovation ROI and how is it calculated?
Home renovation ROI (return on investment) measures how much of your project cost you recoup at resale. Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs Value report surveys real estate professionals to estimate value added. ROI = (Value Added ÷ Project Cost) × 100%. Exterior projects like garage doors (267% ROI) and entry doors (216%) typically outperform interior remodels.
Which home renovation projects have the best ROI?
Per Remodeling Magazine 2025: garage door replacement (267.7%), steel entry door (216.4%), manufactured stone veneer (207.9%), fiber-cement siding (113.7%), and minor kitchen remodel (112.9%). Eight of the top 10 projects are exterior/curb appeal. Bathroom remodels average ~60% ROI; major kitchen remodels ~55%.
How do regional differences affect renovation ROI?
Pacific and West South-Central regions report the strongest overall returns. Regional variation reflects local housing trends, material costs, and buyer preferences. Backup generators show higher ROI in hurricane-prone areas. Use regional multipliers when estimating your project's value at resale.
What is cost vs value in home renovation?
Cost vs Value compares job cost (what you pay) to value at sale (what buyers will pay for it). Projects that add more value than cost have ROI above 100%. Remodeling Magazine publishes annual Cost vs Value data for 119 U.S. markets via Zonda and XactRemodel.
When is the best time to renovate for ROI?
Market condition affects ROI: hot markets (strong demand) typically yield 5-10% higher returns than soft markets. Renovate when you plan to sell within 1-3 years for maximum resale impact. If staying 5+ years, prioritize personal enjoyment over pure ROI.
Does DIY vs contractor affect renovation ROI?
DIY reduces your out-of-pocket cost (labor is typically 30-40% of project cost), which can improve ROI if quality matches contractor work. However, poor DIY work can hurt resale value. For complex projects (electrical, plumbing, structural), professional work often yields better ROI.
Official Data Sources
⚠️ Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes. ROI estimates are based on Remodeling Magazine Cost vs Value 2025 and industry averages. Actual returns vary by location, project quality, and market conditions. Not professional real estate or financial advice. Verify with local appraisers and contractors.
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