01/02/2026

Kitchen Remodel vs Bathroom Remodel: Which Adds More Home Value?

If you’re choosing between a kitchen remodel and a bathroom remodel, you’re not alone. These are the two most common “big impact” renovation decisions homeowners make—and they can absolutely influence resale value. The real question is: which one adds more value for your home (and what level of remodel actually pays off)?

Here’s the honest answer most homeowners don’t hear:

A minor-to-midrange kitchen refresh often delivers the highest return on investment.
A midrange bathroom remodel can still be a smart investment—especially if the bathroom is dated or dysfunctional.
A major gut kitchen remodel can be great for lifestyle, but it often yields less at resale than people expect.

Let’s break it down.

What the data says (Mountain region, including Idaho)

Industry reports track typical remodel costs and the value retained at resale.

Cost vs. Value (Mountain Region)

Minor kitchen remodel (midrange) recoups about 110.3% of cost (meaning it can return more than it costs in resale value, depending on the market and timing). Journal of Light Construction
Bath remodel (midrange) recoups about 69.4%. Journal of Light Construction
Major kitchen remodel (midrange) recoups about 49.3%. Journal of Light Construction

That’s the big takeaway: a modest kitchen upgrade tends to beat a midrange bath remodel for value, but a full kitchen overhaul often drops in ROI.

Realtor + Remodeler perspective (NAR/NARI)

The 2025 Remodeling Impact Report also shows estimated cost recovery:

Minor kitchen upgrade: 60%
Complete kitchen renovation: 60%
Bathroom renovation: 50% NARI

Different methodology than Cost vs. Value—but the same general direction: kitchens usually edge out bathrooms for cost recovery.

Why kitchens typically add more value

Buyers emotionally “price” the kitchen more than almost any other room. It’s the social hub and the most visible sign of whether a home feels modern and well-cared-for.

A kitchen remodel boosts value because it improves:

First impression (the “wow” factor)
Function (layout, storage, work zones)
Perceived upkeep (cabinet quality, counters, lighting, finishes)

Even when buyers love a gorgeous bathroom, they’ll often still judge the home on the kitchen.

What Treasure Valley Buyers Notice First in the Kitchen

In the Treasure Valley, buyers often decide how “updated” a home feels within the first minute of seeing the kitchen. Even if they don’t say it out loud, they’re scanning for quality, functionality, and whether the space feels move-in-ready. A kitchen doesn’t have to be massive or ultra-luxury to impress—it just needs to feel cohesive, functional, and updated. Here’s what they notice first.

Buyers notice:

Cabinet condition (are they worn, dated, chipped, or nicely updated?)
Countertops (durable materials and a clean, modern look)
Lighting (bright, layered lighting makes a kitchen feel expensive)
Layout flow (does it feel cramped or easy to move through?)
Storage & pantry space (especially in family homes)
Appliance match + placement (mixed finishes can feel “piecemeal”)
Sink + faucet (small upgrades that signal quality)
Backsplash + hardware (details that make it feel finished)
Overall cleanliness + “newness” (even small dated elements can drag the vibe down)

Quick tip: If the layout works, a midrange refresh (cabinets/counters/lighting) often creates a huge perceived value boost without overbuilding.

When a bathroom remodel can add more value than a kitchen remodel

A bathroom remodel may add more value if:

You only have one bathroom (or it’s in bad shape)
The main bath feels small, dark, poorly laid out, or leaky.
Finishes are very outdated (old tile, worn tub/shower, failing vanity)
You’re converting a space to add a new bathroom (utility + desirability)

Even if the ROI percentage is lower, fixing a problem bathroom can protect the value and help your home sell faster.

What Treasure Valley Buyers Notice First in the Bathroom

Bathrooms can add serious value by removing buyer hesitation. While kitchens drive the emotional wow factor, bathrooms are where buyers look for “problem signs” such as water damage, poor ventilation, or dated finishes that are expensive to fix. Here’s what they notice first:

Bathrooms can add significant value—especially when they are bright, clean, and updated. But buyers are hyper-alert for anything that hints at future repairs.

Buyers notice:

Shower/tub condition (tile, grout, caulking, glass, and overall finish)
Vanity + countertop (does it feel modern and functional?)
Lighting + mirror (dark bathrooms feel smaller and older)
Ventilation (fans, humidity, signs of poor airflow)
Fixtures (faucets, showerheads, handles—do they feel sturdy and updated?)
Water pressure and drainage (buyers will test this during showings)
Flooring (clean, durable, and moisture-friendly)
Any signs of water damage (stains, swelling, soft spots, peeling paint)
Overall brightness + cleanliness (this heavily impacts buyer confidence)

Quick tip: A bathroom that feels “fresh” and easy to maintain can help your home feel more move-in ready—even if the kitchen is the star.

Minor vs. major remodels: the ROI “trap”

This is where homeowners accidentally overspend.

Minor kitchen remodels (best ROI)

These typically include things like:

Cabinet refresh (refacing/painting) + new hardware
Countertops upgrade
New sink/faucet
Updated lighting
Coordinated appliances (not necessarily luxury)

This is the category that often performs best in terms of resale value.

Major kitchen remodels (lower ROI, higher lifestyle payoff)

A “major” remodel usually means:

Layout changes
Custom cabinets
Premium appliances
Structural work
Higher-end finishes across the board

These upgrades can be worthwhile for your daily life—but their resale value doesn’t always keep up.

High-ROI Updates vs. Overbuilding (What Pays Off Most)

Not all remodel dollars are equal. In the Treasure Valley, the remodels that add the most value typically share one thing in common: they make the home feel updated, functional, and cohesive—without pushing the finishes far beyond what buyers expect for the neighborhood.

High-ROI kitchen upgrades (value-friendly)

If you want the kitchen to feel “new” without overdoing it, these upgrades tend to deliver strong perceived value:

Refinished or painted cabinets + updated hardware
New countertops (especially when paired with a modern sink + faucet)
A lighting refresh (recessed lighting, pendants, and under-cabinet lighting)
Updated backsplash that ties the whole kitchen together
Cohesive finishes (matching tones across fixtures, metals, and materials)
Improved storage solutions (pantry organization, pull-outs, trash pullout)

High-ROI bathroom upgrades (buyer-confidence boosters)

Bathrooms add value fast when they remove worry and make the space feel clean and modern:

A bright, updated shower/tub area (tile, glass, and clean grout lines matter)
New vanity + mirror + lighting (this is a “wow” upgrade without layout changes)
Updated fixtures (faucet, showerhead, handles—small but noticeable)
Better ventilation (a quiet, effective fan helps prevent moisture issues)
Flooring upgrades that look clean and are water-friendly

Common overbuilding moves (when resale value is the priority)

These upgrades can be amazing for lifestyle—but don’t always return their cost when selling:

Major layout changes that require moving plumbing or structural walls.
Ultra-high-end appliances in a midrange home/neighborhood
Highly personalized design choices (bold trends that date quickly)
Overspending on custom features that buyers won’t pay extra for
Finishes that don’t match the rest of the home’s value level

Quick takeaway

If resale value matters, the goal is usually not “luxury everything.” It’s “updated, cohesive, and move-in ready.” When you remodel with the neighborhood in mind, you’re far more likely to protect your investment and attract confident buyers.

So…which should you do first?

Here’s a simple decision guide (the one we use with homeowners):

Choose the kitchen first if…

Your kitchen is the most dated room in the house.
The layout is workable, but finishes are tired.
You’re within 2–5 years of selling.
You want the best chance at value return with a controlled budget.

Choose the bathroom first if…

The bathroom has functional issues (poor ventilation, leaks, bad layout)
The home feels “stuck in the past” because of one ugly bath.
You’re missing a bathroom that today’s buyers expect.
You want to improve daily comfort fast (and not live through a full kitchen reno.)

Typical Remodel Timelines in the Treasure Valley (What to Expect)

One of the biggest differences between a kitchen remodel and a bathroom remodel isn’t just cost—it’s how long your home feels “under construction.” While every project varies based on scope, material lead times, and permits, these are realistic expectations for many Treasure Valley homes.

Keep in mind: every home is different. Once demolition starts, we may uncover hidden issues—like water damage, outdated wiring, or plumbing repairs—that can extend the timeline. Material availability and permits can also affect scheduling. These ranges are a helpful starting point, but your final timeline may vary.

Kitchen remodel timeline (typical)

Minor refresh (finishes only): ~2–4 weeks
(paint/refacing, counters, sink/faucet, lighting, backsplash)
Midrange remodel: ~4–8 weeks.
(new cabinets, counters, lighting, some drywall/flooring updates)
Major remodel (layout changes): ~8–12+ weeks.
(moving walls/plumbing, custom cabinets, structural changes, larger trades)

Why kitchens take longer: they often involve multiple trades and more sequencing—cabinets, counters, electrical, plumbing, flooring, backsplash, appliances, and inspections.

Bathroom remodel timeline (typical)

Cosmetic update: ~1–2 weeks
(vanity, fixtures, mirror/lighting, paint, minor finishes)
Full bathroom remodel (same footprint): ~2–4 weeks
(shower/tub, tile, vanity, flooring, lighting, ventilation)
Major bath remodel or adding a bathroom: ~4–8+ weeks
(layout changes, moving plumbing, permits, added framing/venting)

Why bathrooms can go faster: it’s a smaller space—less cabinetry and countertop coordination—but tile work and plumbing changes can extend the schedule.

Pro tip: plan for material lead times

Even if construction is only a few weeks, lead times for cabinets, tile, and countertops can affect the total start-to-finish schedule. Choosing materials early helps keep the project moving smoothly.

The smartest “value” strategy: fix the biggest buyer objections

If your goal is resale value, the win isn’t always “kitchen vs bathroom.”

The win is: remove the biggest reasons buyers will discount your home.

Examples:

If the kitchen is dated but clean, and the bathroom is failing → start with the bathroom.
If the bathroom is fine, but the kitchen screams 1998 → start with the kitchen.
If both are dated → do a minor kitchen refresh + targeted bathroom update, rather than one massive gut job.

Quick checklist: upgrades that tend to help value the most

Kitchen (high impact without overdoing it)

Updated cabinets (refinish/reface if boxes are solid)
Durable countertops
Great lighting (layered: recessed + pendants + under-cabinet)
Modern sink + faucet
Cohesive finishes (hardware, fixtures, color palette)

Bathroom (high impact, buyer-friendly)

A clean, bright shower/tub area
Updated vanity + mirror + lighting
Ventilation improvements
Modern tile choices (timeless > trendy)
Quality fixtures that feel “solid,” not builder-grade

Want the best ROI and a home you love?

DreamWorx Renovations can help you choose the right project scope—so you’re not overbuilding for your neighborhood, and you’re not leaving value on the table. Get a clear scope, timeline, and budget range—then move forward with confidence. Book your Treasure Valley remodel consult today.