What Upgrades Increase Home Value? 25 Improvements Worth Making

As you plan your next renovation project, it’s more critical than ever to know what upgrades increase home value. The world looks much different in 2026 than it did a couple of years ago, and our homes have been at the center of massive change and re-evaluation. Flex rooms and outdoor spaces, for example, are now extremely coveted features. Our newest list of home improvements that add value takes these recent trends into account and incorporates specific product suggestions, updated for 2026. Using extensive surveys of HomeLight agents, expert data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and out-in-the-field expertise from top agents such as Gina Baum of northern Maryland, we’ve put together this list of 25 home upgrade recommendations so you can make better decisions about where to invest your money. Upgrading Your Home? First, See How Much It's Worth HomeLight can provide a preliminary estimate of home value in as little as two minutes. Home renovation trend overview Annual inflation of 3.7% as of September 2026, along with concerns over labor shortages and economic uncertainties, is making everything more expensive, including the cost of installing new floors or ...