Bathroom and Kitchen Renovation Projects With the Highest Return on Investment

There are many reasons to renovate your home: customizing it to your unique taste, adding livable space and – for many, most importantly – improving its value. But are you putting your money in the most effective places? When it comes to renos, smaller projects that add function and aesthetic appeal tend to garner the most bang for your buck. From new fixtures to fresh colour, we’ve compiled 10 bathroom and kitchen renovation projects that will make an impact on your home – and a high return on investment.

white cabinets with black hardware in modern kitchen with centre island

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Convert Your Cabinets

The kitchen is the prime selling-point of a home, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to gut it to give your home’s value a lift. In fact, the opposite is often true: smaller upgrades and projects that don’t require the cost of demolition often give a higher return on investment in the kitchen. Case in point? If your cabinets are well-placed but outdated, give them a fresh look by painting or refinishing the doors and adding new, sleek hardware.

white kitchen with green cabinets and glass dining room table

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A Fresh Coat

Never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint. A new paint job provides the best return on investment of any home improvement project.

two metallic pendant lights handing over marble island in kitchen with blue cabinets

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New Light

Are out-of-date light fixtures keeping your kitchen in the dark ages? Installing a new light fixture can transform the look of your kitchen in an afternoon. Keep your choice simple, stylish and not overly fussy – when it comes to return on investment, you may want to keep the abstract art on the walls.

white kitchen with bleached-oak cabinets and stainless steel appliances

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Elevated Appliances

You can install the most modern cabinets and the chicest flooring in your kitchen, but if the appliances are old, clunky and malfunctioning, buyers aren’t going to see the room as top of the line. Modern energy-efficient appliances offer power and energy savings for years to come, naturally enhancing your return on investment while providing visual upgrade. What colour should you choose? Tip: for the best ROI, avoid trendy designs and opt for ever-popular and sleek stainless steel designs.

lavender bathroom with white double sinks and black-framed mirrors

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Double Time

Two really is better than one – at least when it comes to your en suite. If you have a master bathroom with space to spare, installing double sinks can dramatically enhance the livability, comfort and attractiveness of the room. One caveat: don’t assume double sinks will produce a big return on investment in every bathroom. Two sinks in a small powder room, for example, is overload and could have the opposite effect.

white bathroom with black tile accents and striped towels hanging from towel hooks

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Raise the Bar

Sometimes, it’s the simple things. Upgrading the wall accessories in your bathroom – think towel bars, hooks and rings – is a quick, inexpensive project that can make a big, value-adding visual impact.

white floating vanity in white bathroom with round mirror

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A Big Lift

It’s not magic: a floating vanity looks modern while creating the illusion of more space. The perception of more space (whether real or just visual) is always a value-add, giving this type of bathroom upgrade a double wow factor when it comes to ROI.

white soaker tub in a grey bathroom with purple art on the walls and towels in built-in shelves

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Tub Time

While a new shower can save space while looking sleek, when it comes to ROI, you may want to consider the versatility and beauty of a new bathtub. If you’re looking to sell your home soon, a big, luxurious bathtub adds a spa-like quality to the room, while also providing more options to potential buyers that may have small children or pets that would be better served by a bath.