Top 9 Renovations to Increase Home Value in 2025

If you’re thinking about updating your home in 2025, you’re not alone. According to the Remodeling 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, the average return on home improvement projects hovers around 75% nationally. But in high-demand, design-savvy markets like San Francisco, strategic renovations can not only boost your enjoyment of your space—but also push your resale value even higher.

Whether you're planning to sell in the next year or simply future-proof your home, these 9 renovations are topping the list for increasing home value (and buyer appeal) this year.

1. Boost Your Curb Appeal

In SF, where Victorian façades and Spanish-style homes line the streets, first impressions count.
Simple updates like fresh paint (hello moody charcoal or classic white), polished front doors, updated house numbers, and drought-tolerant landscaping can dramatically increase curb appeal. A well-maintained exterior can help your home stand out among tightly packed homes on charming, walkable blocks.

2. Create a More Functional Floor Plan

San Francisco homes often have awkward layouts—think double parlors, closed-off kitchens, or maze-like hallways.
Opening up walls to create a more open flow between kitchen, dining, and living spaces is high on buyers' wish lists, especially in smaller homes where space is at a premium.
Even reconfiguring bedrooms to create a true primary suite can make a big difference.

3. Upgrade to Luxurious Bathrooms

Spa-like bathrooms are no longer a luxury—they’re an expectation.
Adding a walk-in shower with statement tile, soaking tubs, dual vanities, and radiant heat floors (a must in chilly SF mornings) can transform your home’s appeal.

4. Install a Kitchen Island or Walk-In Pantry

Kitchens remain the heart of the home, and buyers in 2025 continue to prioritize them.
HomeLight’s recent report found upgraded kitchens were one of the biggest selling points last year, with a mid-range remodel recouping up to 96.1% of the investment.
In SF, adding a flexible pantry space (hello creative storage in Edwardian kitchens), multiple sinks, and new appliances—plus, a functional island for prep and socializing—are features buyers swoon over.
In neighborhoods like Glen Park or West Portal, these upgrades can take a cozy kitchen from “meh” to “must-have.”

5. Build or Convert a Home Office

Work-from-home isn’t going anywhere, and in SF where square footage is gold, buyers are looking for a dedicated workspace.
Even converting a closet, attic nook, or sunroom into an office can help market your home as flexible and future-proof.
Homes often have unused basements or garages, consider creating a legal ADU or separate office space.

6. Expand Your Outdoor Space

Outdoor living has become an essential extension of the home—even in foggy SF.
Decks, rooftop patios, or backyard upgrades (think fire pits or heaters for year-round use) continue to be hot.
Especially in neighborhoods like Potrero Hill or the Mission, where sunny microclimates mean more time enjoying the outdoors.

7. Modify Your Home for Aging-in-Place or Intergenerational Living

San Francisco’s multi-generational households are growing, with many buyers looking for homes that can flex with family needs.
Adding accessible bathrooms, ground-floor living spaces, or converting garages to ADUs can widen your buyer pool.

8. Build a Mudroom Area in Your Garage

In San Francisco, where space is tight and garages are often underutilized storage zones, converting a portion of your garage into a dedicated mudroom area can be a huge value-add.
Think built-in cubbies, hooks, seating, and even a pet wash station—perfect for sandy shoes after Ocean Beach visits or muddy boots from Mt. Sutro hikes.
This is especially useful in homes where garages tend to be front-facing and already provide easy access into the house.

9. Small, But Impactful Changes: No Deferred Maintenance!

In a market where buyers are paying premium prices, homes that show signs of neglect—like peeling paint, worn carpets, or dated light fixtures—shrink the sale price or the pool of interested buyers.
Regular updates like fresh paint, new hardware, modern light fixtures, and polished floors ensure your home feels turnkey and move-in ready.
In SF, where homes from the 1920s to the 1970s come with “deferred maintenance baggage,” these small updates can make a world of difference in perception—and price.

In a high-cost, design-forward city like San Francisco, thoughtful renovations go a long way.
Focus on function, flexibility, and first impressions, and you’ll be set to reap the rewards—whether that’s a faster sale, a higher price, or simply more enjoyment of your beautiful SF home.