Where to Splurge and Save When Remodeling

A smart way to make these decisions is to separate your remodel into “needs” and “wants.” Needs are the items that affect safety, durability, and everyday function, things like structural and mechanical updates, waterproofing, ventilation, insulation, and layout corrections. Wants are enhancements that elevate the final experience, premium finishes, statement lighting, specialty tile, or custom built-ins. When homeowners treat needs as “today’s budget” and wants as “tomorrow’s budget,” it becomes easier to spend confidently on essentials and phase upgrades over time without sacrificing the overall plan.

ROI varies by home, neighborhood, and market conditions. Minnesota homeowners often see strong return from kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, and finishing lower levels. Kitchens remain one of the most requested remodels because they impact daily living and buyer perception. Bathrooms, especially primary suites and functional upgrades also tend to hold value well.

Lower level finishes can help build equity. They add usable space and improve how the home feels. This can affect how quickly the home sells and its perceived value.

The safest “splurges” are often the things you can’t easily change later. They are also the items that help avoid costly problems. This includes high-quality installation, waterproofing, ventilation and kitchen cabinets that get daily use. Is also covers decisions tied to structure or layout.

In kitchens, this often includes cabinet design and lighting. In bathrooms, it involves plumbing quality, proper waterproofing, and everyday fixtures. If you invest in the bones of the project, your remodel will age better and require fewer repairs.

Saving doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style, it usually means choosing smart alternatives that still look premium. You can choose mid-range appliance packages. Use beautiful but simpler tile patterns. Select LVP or engineered wood when it fits.

Use cost-effective countertop options in secondary areas. In bathrooms, fiberglass shower pans and LVT in extra baths can save money. This allows you to spend more on important things like lighting, ventilation, and good fixtures.

Focus on timeless, durable decisions for the “hard-to-change” elements: layout, flooring, cabinetry, tile selections, and window choices. Then express personality through items that are easy to update later, paint, lighting fixtures, hardware, decor, textiles, and accent pieces. A helpful filter is asking: “Will this still feel right in 5–10 years?” If the answer is uncertain, keep the permanent elements classic and make trend-forward choices in replaceable finishes.