The Space-Savvy Home: Remodeling Trends That Make Room for Life

Today’s homeowners are turning to remodeling to make their spaces work harder—and smarter. Whether you live in 1,500 or 5,000 square feet, the question is the same: How to get more function, comfort, and flexibility from your space? With evolving lifestyles and changing needs, remodeling offers the opportunity to break free from traditional room layouts and create personalized solutions that reflect the way you live.

Over the past year, NARI has teamed up with Sphere Trending—a think tank known for forecasting what’s next in home, architecture, and design—to uncover how today’s homeowners are rewriting the rules of remodeling.

Interior Space Optimization
Interior space optimization is at the heart of the issue. Built-in furniture, floating desks, and multi-functional counters help streamline how space is used, making every inch work harder. From tucked-away storage to convertible room designs, the focus is on creating zones within rooms that adapt throughout the day. Susan Yashinsky is the VP of Innovation at Sphere Trending. She explains that to build functionality, homeowners increasingly consider adaptable layouts that respond to changing demands.

Homeowners are also transforming their interiors through functional space strategies. Multi-purpose rooms have become the norm—living areas that morph into offices, gyms, or guest quarters with minimal effort. The home office, once a luxury, is now a priority, often integrated seamlessly into shared spaces. These versatile areas reflect a growing desire for homes that can shift between work and relaxation effortlessly.

Going Further With Additions
Beyond interiors, many homeowners want to expand their space for additional functionality. Whether it's a remodeled basement, a garage-turned-studio, or a newly built accessory dwelling unit (ADU), these physical extensions add flexibility and value. Even previously overlooked spaces, such as attics, can be converted into usable living areas, offering creative alternatives to moving or upsizing.

Blending Indoor and Outdoor Living
More and more, homeowners are seeking to integrate indoor and outdoor living, where patios, porches, and yards become true extensions of the home. “We’re living the lot line,” Yashinsky says. “We’re expanding the front porch for livable space and using every inch of back and side yards.” Server windows, outdoor dining spaces, and lounge-style patios are just a few ways homeowners are making the most of what’s outside their walls.

Design for Space
Design plays a key role in making spaces feel open and functional. Thoughtful design techniques—such as high-contrast color schemes, vertical storage, and room dividers—help visually expand smaller footprints. Emily Siwek is the director of architecture at Sphere Trending. She notes the rise in modern dividers that enable light to pass through while still defining space, blending practicality with style. “We’re seeing a lot more diversity and creativity, with natural wood, for example, creating openness and transparency,” she adds.

In a time when every square foot counts, creativity is the new currency of home remodeling. Whether you’re optimizing, expanding, or integrating, today’s strategies for maximizing space aren’t just about making do—they’re about making better.