RACHEL BURRIS (Rocket Homes) 8-MINUTE READ
May 29, 2020
With public gatherings banned and shelter-in-place mandates keeping people at home, COVID-19 has put the spotlight on houses. Now, people are realizing the limitations of their dwellings and making moves to do something about them. Quarantine has become the ideal time to finally get around to those long-forsaken punch list items.
But what kind of projects are people actually taking on? After examining the most popular Google searches conducted by individuals across the country, we’ve compiled a list of the top home renovation projects during the quarantine. Take a look at the rooms Americans were most interested in renovating, decorating and sprucing up while cooped up in their houses, and decide if any of these projects are right for you.
Most Popular Home Renovations By Room To gain insight into the types of home renovations that Americans were interested in pursuing during quarantine, we turned to Google Trends. With over 1.5 billion users and 40,000 search queries received every second, Google has a wealth of data that they categorize and analyze to provide insight into consumer behavior. The online tool normalizes the data and scales it on a range of 0 – 100. So, when looking at popularity across regions – say specific states within the U.S. – trends are presented as a proportion to make comparisons between locales easier. Google Trends also presents data on the extent of interest there is in related topics and queries that users also searched for and displays spikes in interest as percentages. Any extreme spikes in interest are labeled as “Breakout,” and should be understood as being higher than any percentage listed. On May 19, 2020, we focused our research on the “Home Improvements” category of Google Trends and pulled data on the popularity of home renovations during the month of April, the height of the nation’s stay-at-home orders. We examined the most popular topics and queries for each room across the United States and have used the data to speculate the intent behind users’ searches. Let’s take a look at the eight most popular spaces that Google users researched while quarantining and the assumptions we can make about home renovation interests based on their searches.
Garage
Increase in Search Volume for Trending Topics / Queries:
Linear Garage Door Keypad: Breakout
Garage Door Net: Breakout
Double Garage Door: 300%
Garage Paint Ideas: 200%
Gym: 170%
Search Trends with Smaller but Notable Increases:
Lowe’s Garage Floor Paint
Garage Tile Floor
How to Install a Garage Door
Thermal Insulation
Epoxy
States in the North Central Region certainly have an increased interest in garages and not just because of the excitement that the garage door beer challenge has incited. Some users appear to want to increase the security of their garages by installing digital keypads and garage doors. Other residents of these states seem to be searching for ways to convert their garages into livable space. By installing thermal insulation and garage door screens, they can regulate the temperature of their garages and make them more habitable. As they do so, they’re also looking into freshening up the floors with paint, tiles, and epoxy. Their next step may be to transform the space into a home gym.
Kitchen
Increase in Search Volume for Trending Topics / Queries:
DIY: Breakout
Loan: Breakout
Countertop: Breakout
Sink: Breakout
Cost of Kitchen Remodel: 180%
Kitchen Rug Sets: 180%
Search Trends with Smaller but Notable Increases:
How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen Renovation Ideas
Best Paint for Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen Cabinet / Doorknobs
Kitchen Backsplash Tiles
Based on the data, Americans are more interested in renovating their kitchens than any other room inside their houses. This finding shouldn’t be all that surprising, given that kitchen updates have been historically the most popular home improvement project. Many users are trying to find do-it-yourself tricks for remodeling their kitchens and seem to be focusing their efforts on smaller tasks, like refinishing or painting cabinets, changing the hardware on cabinets or doors and selecting rugs for their kitchen floors. Based on the increased search volume for loans, others may be looking for professionals to help them complete larger renovation projects, like installing new countertops, sinks, and tile backsplashes.
Basement
Increase in Search Volume for Trending Topics / Queries:
Bulkhead: 350%
Unfinished Basement Ideas: 250%
Basement Epoxy Floor: 170%
Basement Dehumidifier: 120%
Basement Storage Ideas: 110%
Basement Toilet: 100%
Search Trends with Smaller but Notable Increases:
Basement Wall Ideas
How to Get Rid of Mold in Basement
Basement Ceiling Ideas
Cost to Finish Basement
With people confined to their homes, many homeowners are now looking to maximize the space they have at their disposal. Those living in the northeast are using Google to learn how to increase the habitability of their basements by clearing out the junk, eliminating mold, and making their lower levels less humid. Although they’re seeking ideas for finishing their basements, the fact that “bulkhead” is a trending search query suggests that many users may want to add a legal egress to convert their basements into bedrooms. Since the basement toilet has also been a popular search, it seems likely that these individuals could be inclined to turn their basements into private guest suites.
Yard
Increase in Search Volume for Trending Topics / Queries:
How to Till a Yard: Breakout
How to Keep Rabbits / Squirrels out of Yard: Breakout / 3,600%
Artificial Turf: 250%
Walkway: 250%
French Drain: 200%
Yard Decor: 200%
Search Trends with Smaller but Notable Increases:
Statue
Playground
Landscaping
Front Yard Garden
DIY Yard Ideas
Oscar Mayer’s May 2 campaign may have elicited a large number of people to search the term “Front Yard Cookout”; however, Americans still appear to be looking for ways to improve their outdoor space during the quarantine. Most users’ queries centered around growing and preserving healthy plants. Some appear interested in installing a French drain in their yard to minimize stormwater runoff and prevent their properties from flooding. But others are inclined to enhance the appearance and utility of their yards by building walkways, adding playground sets, incorporating sculptures and ramping up the decor.
Patio
Increase in Search Volume for Trending Topics / Queries:
Walkway: Breakout
Patio Shades: 120%
How to Build a Patio: 110%
Window Screen: 110%
Search Trends with Smaller but Notable Increases:
Patio Screen Door Replacement
Patio Paint
Ikea Patio Tiles
Patio Blinds
It seems that when you can’t eat out, dining al fresco is the next best thing. Homeowners are now more tempted to add patios to their yards or improve preexisting ones. Many seem interested in paving walkways that lead to their patios, while others are focusing on keeping the area cool with screens and shades. However, there’s also a desire to improve the aesthetics of these outdoor spaces by painting and tiling the area.
Bathroom
Increase in Search Volume for Trending Topics / Queries:
Chenille Fabric: Breakout
Teak Bathmat: Breakout
Brown Bathroom Rugs: Breakout
DIY: Breakout
Loan: Breakout
Search Trends with Smaller but Notable Increases:
How to Paint Bathroom
Tile for Bathroom
Cost of Remodeling a Bathroom
Top bathroom searches seem to suggest that users are pursuing bathmats and rugs made of teak and chenille to avoid the chilling sensation of bare feet on cold tile floors. Considering that bathroom renovators are hunting for tips on how to paint their lavatories and exploring their options for tiling, it appears they want to take on smaller projects themselves. But similar to those interested in kitchens, users are also inquiring into financing options, perhaps after learning the projected cost of their remodels.
Dining Room
Increase in Search Volume for Trending Topics / Queries:
Refinishing: Breakout
Accent Wall: Breakout
Navy Blue: Breakout
Chair: 160%
Dining Room Rug: 100%
Search Trends with Smaller but Notable Increases:
Dining Table
With restaurants closed or only providing carry-out options, people seem to be more interested in journeying to their dining rooms to enjoy their culinary creations. Since dining rooms have taken a backseat to eat-in kitchens in recent years, it seems users want to find easy ways to spruce up these rooms. Users are interested in refinishing their dining tables and chairs and adding rugs to create cozier dining experiences. They also seem interested in adding a pop of color, specifically navy blue, to their dining rooms by painting an accent wall or adding furnishings with this deep hue.
Bedroom
Increase in Search Volume for Trending Topics / Queries:
Chenille Fabric: Breakout
Teak Bathmat: Breakout
Brown Bathroom Rugs: Breakout
DIY: Breakout
Loan: Breakout
Search Trends with Smaller but Notable Increases:
How to Paint Bathroom
Tile for Bathroom
Cost of Remodeling a Bathroom
Top bathroom searches seem to suggest that users are pursuing bathmats and rugs made of teak and chenille to avoid the chilling sensation of bare feet on cold tile floors. Considering that bathroom renovators are hunting for tips on how to paint their lavatories and exploring their options for tiling, it appears they want to take on smaller projects themselves. But similar to those interested in kitchens, users are also inquiring into financing options, perhaps after learning the projected cost of their remodels.
Cape Cod Bedroom
Increase in Search Volume for Trending Topics / Queries:
Cape Bedroom: Breakout
Addition: 190%
While homeowners may not be determined to renovate their own bedrooms, they do appear motivated to add an additional bedroom to their attics. Cape Cod-style bedrooms, which are typically situated on the top floor of the house, are known for their quaint, snug feel. These bedrooms are usually boxy spaces that feature steeply sloped ceilings, simple furniture, and nautical color palettes.
Living Room
Increase in Search Volume for Trending Topics / Queries:
Gold: Breakout
Midcentury Modern Architecture: Breakout
Rustic Architecture: Breakout
Beige: 130%
Living Room Rug: 100%
Search Trends with Smaller but Notable Increases:
Accent Wall
Tan
Boho-Chic
Couch
Living rooms may not be getting much love when it comes to Google searches; however, users have demonstrated a yearning to give their common areas a facelift. While gray was once all the rage, the newly sought-after look incorporates warmer, neutral colors. Think light wood finishes, tan couches, beige rugs, and gold accents. This palette complements the mid-century modern look, which emphasizes clean, geometric lines, warm woods, and metallic finishes. The connection makes sense given that living room searches also indicate that people are thinking of changing the aesthetic of these rooms. Those less interested in minimalist design seem to be gravitating toward the raw, natural beauty of the rustic style or the relaxed, eclectic feel of boho-chic interiors.