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<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto: James Bombales, design by Claire Jefford<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n When you\u2019re in the midst of a kitchen renovation \u2014\u00a0heating up yet another microwavable meal while surrounded by a thin layer of construction dust \u2014 it can be difficult to feel any joy whatsoever. It\u2019s a stressful time, and those soggy chicken nuggets spinning around in the microwave become a direct representation of your mental state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But there\u2019s light at the end of the renovation tunnel according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors\u00ae. The <\/span>2019 Remodeling Impact Report<\/span><\/a> ranks remodeling projects not only by return on investment, but also by how happy homeowners feel upon their completion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe NAR report shows us that people often remodel for resale purposes, but it also reminds us that homeowners remodel, too, with the desire to make a home their own,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist.<\/p>\n Based on the results, each home improvement project was assigned a \u201cJoy Score\u201d on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the highest). Here, we examine the top 10 interior renos that yield the most smiles and sighs of relief.<\/p>\n Photo: James Bombales, design by\u00a0Sara Bederman<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Tens, tens, tens across the board for complete kitchen renovations! An impressive 95 percent of homeowners say they have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are at home following this costly, but worthwhile project. Spaghetti and meatballs just taste better when you\u2019re eating them off a marble-clad kitchen island.<\/p>\n Investing in the functionality of your home always pays off. And when it comes to closets, that means adding shelving, clothing rods, pull-out drawers, hooks and lighting. Not only will a closet renovation increase your home\u2019s value, it will simplify your morning routine and get you out the door faster.<\/p>\n Photo: James Bombales, design by\u00a0REDESIGN4MORE<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Real estate agents\u00a0say you should ignore cosmetic issues like the paint color on the walls when you\u2019re touring an open house, but once you\u2019re all moved in, you\u2019ll want to get right to work correcting the design mistakes of past homeowners. A full interior paint job feels like a fresh start, and it\u2019s well worth that noxious fresh paint smell.<\/p>\n A kitchen upgrade is less expensive and less time consuming than a full-gut reno, but the payoff can be huge. In fact, 40 percent of Realtors\u00ae suggest sellers complete this project before listing their home. Repainting the cabinets, replacing worn-out surfaces, and swapping out dated hardware will give your kitchen a modern look without the hefty $68,000 price tag.<\/p>\n Photo: James Bombales, design by\u00a0Karin Bennett<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n If you opt to do the job yourself, repainting an average-sized room will set you back about $50 and take up one or two days of your weekend. Not a bad price to pay for an all new aesthetic. Twenty-three percent of homeowners who tackled this easy DIY project say they did so to add more individuality and personality to their home. Go ahead, paint your bedroom that moody\u00a0navy blue color!<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got an unfinished basement, you\u2019re sitting on untapped potential. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) puts the estimated cost at $46,900, but homeowners will likely recoup 64 percent of those costs when they decide to sell. Just think of all the movie nights, ping pong games and jam sessions you could have in the meantime.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n1. Kitchen renovation – 10<\/b><\/h2>\n
2. Closet renovation – 10<\/b><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n3. Full interior paint job – 9.8<\/b><\/h2>\n
4. Kitchen upgrade – 9.7<\/b><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n5. Individual room paint job – 9.7<\/b><\/h2>\n
6. Basement conversion to living area – 9.5<\/b><\/h2>\n
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