Why 2026 Is Shaping Up as a Big Home Improvement Year

If it feels like everyone you know is talking about “projects” this year, you’re not imagining it.
Between New Year’s resolutions, rising home values, and people spending more time at home, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for home improvement.

Let’s look at why and what this means if you’re a homeowner in North Dakota thinking about updating your place.

1. Home Improvement Is Replacing Self-Improvement

One of the most interesting shifts: New Year’s resolutions are moving from “fix myself” to “fix my house.” A national survey commissioned by TAMKO found that 20% of New Year’s resolutions now focus on home improvement, not just personal goals, and 32% of homeowners are planning upgrades in 2026.

Top projects on their lists include:

• Interior renovations (fresh finishes, layouts, storage)

• Landscaping and curb appeal

• Exterior painting

• Decks and patios

• Re-roofing

People aren’t just dreaming about “someday” anymore. They’re deciding they want their homes to work better for the way they actually live right now.

2. Comfort and Personalization Are Beating “Resale Only”

For years, renovations were all about “Will this help resale?”
That’s still important, but 2026 data shows a stronger focus on comfort and personalization:

• A 2026 home renovation report found that many homeowners, especially those in the 30–44 age group, are driven by a desire to reimagine older homes and make them more expressive, comfortable, and modern, not just “updated for buyers.”

• Real estate and design pros are nudging people toward energy-saving additions, smart storage, and universal design (features that work for all ages and stages), because those improve daily life and hold up well over time.

So instead of chasing every hot trend, homeowners are:

• Making kitchens easier to cook in, not just prettier in photos

• Adding storage in mudrooms, laundries, and entries

• Improving lighting, comfort, and flow

• Choosing materials that are easier to clean and maintain

That’s good news. Those are exactly the types of updates that also make a home more attractive when it’s time to sell.

3. Not All Trends Are Created Equal (And People Are Learning That)

Designers and real estate pros are being pretty candid about trendy renovations that don’t age well. A number of 2025–2026 design pieces highlight “renovation regrets” – things like extreme statement walls, super-specific tile patterns, or all-stone open showers that look amazing but are hard to live with and maintain. The consistent advice from experts: prioritize updates that improve usability, energy efficiency, and flexible design, then layer in personality with finishes you can change later.

For homeowners in places like Ellendale, Edgeley, Oakes, Ashley, Kulm, and the surrounding areas, that usually means focusing on:

• Solid roofs, windows, siding, and mechanicals

• Functional kitchens and baths, even if they’re not “viral”

• Thoughtful storage (mudrooms, closets, pantries)

• Lighting, layout, and ease of cleaning

Those projects make day-to-day life better and show well when you eventually list.

4. What This Means for Homeowners in 2026

So, what should you take away from all this if you own a home in south-central North Dakota?

A. You’re not behind if you haven’t done anything yet

The surveys show a lot of people are just now planning their biggest year of projects. You’re right on time to:

• Make a list of what bothers you most about your home

• Group projects into “must do,” “nice to do,” and “someday”

• Decide what’s realistic for your 2026 budget

B. It pays to prioritize

Given higher costs, strategy matters more than ever. In most cases, the smartest order looks something like:

1. Protect the house: roof, siding, windows, drainage, mechanicals

2. Improve daily function: kitchens, baths, storage, lighting, flooring

3. Boost curb appeal and outdoor living: paint, landscaping, decks/patios

4. Then layer on decorative projects

C. Think in terms of “five-year you”

Ask: Will I still like this in five years? Will the next buyer see value in it too? If the answer is yes, that’s usually a good project.

6. Planning Projects With Future Resale in Mind

Even if you’re planning to stay put for a while, it’s smart to think about how your upgrades will look to a future buyer.

A few guiding questions:

• Does this project make the home easier to live in?

• Does it improve efficiency or reduce ongoing costs (insulation, windows, HVAC)?

• Does it fix something tired or dated that might scare buyers later?

• Am I picking materials and colors that can work for a range of tastes?

If you’re thinking about selling in the next few years, consider checking in with a local agent before major renovations. Sometimes a small tweak (like new counters, fresh paint, updated lighting) brings a better return than a full gut job.

Thinking About Updating Your Home in 2026?

If you’re in or around Ellendale, Edgeley, Oakes, Ashley, Kulm, or the nearby communities and you’re trying to decide which projects are worth it, I’m happy to be a sounding board.

We can look at:

• What similar homes are selling for with and without updates

• Which improvements tend to help resale the most in our area

• How to phase projects so they fit your budget and your long-term plans

Sometimes a quick conversation now can save you a lot of money and second-guessing later.

Call or text: 701-680-7741

Let’s make 2026 the year your home works better for you, and quietly sets you up well for the future too.