As the housing market continues to slump, more and more Americans are opting to remodel their homes. A recent poll conducted by Angie’s list, a popular online source and magazine known for reviewing and rating home services, found homeowners will spend 13 percent more on home improvements and maintenance projects in 2008, averaging $11,250.

Projects that are most likely to provide a return on their investment are proving particularly popular with consumers this year. The five most-planned home projects for 2008 include kitchen/bath remodel, landscaping/yard work, general remodeling, flooring and interior painting.

Several remodeling trends appear to be emerging in 2008 including a desire to make homes more environmentally friendly.

Green Remodeling

Environmentally-friendly features are usually associated with new construction but those consumers in older, existing homes, also have many easy, affordable and immediate steps they can take to make their home more “green”.

Installing low-flow toilets, faucets and showerheads can help reduce water consumption and water heating costs. Repairing leaky faucets also will save a significant amount of water from being wasted each week. Saving electricity is also possible with the purchase of appliances featuring the Energy Star rating.

Homeowners should also consider renewable resources when purchasing flooring products. Bamboo is a grass and replenishes itself naturally in the wild, so by using bamboo, consumers preserve the habitat of endangered wildlife. In addition to bamboo, cork is another great option for those wishing to create a green or eco-friendly home. Cork is considered a green product because the same tree can be harvested numerous times. Solid hardwood floors are also a “green” choice in comparison to other flooring options such as carpet, which needs to be replaced often and is not usually recycled.

Lumber Liquidators, a popular retailer of bamboo, cork and hardwood flooring encourages the use of renewable resources and generally prefers to use suppliers that operate in areas where the harvest rate is slower than tree planting and growth rates.

“We’re at an age where consumers are becoming more concerned about what they put in their bodies, and in their homes,” said Tom Sullivan, founder and chairman of Lumber Liquidators.

Practicality

As homeowners decide to stay in their homes for a longer period of time, a few added elements of practicality have become more important while remodeling. Many older homeowners look for ways to remain in their home as they “age in place”. Examples of this practical remodeling include creating an ample about of store space as empty-nesters look for ways to condense their belongings and removing carpet to reduce allergy inducers. Older homeowners may consider their needs in the future – ways that will improve mobility, including the addition of hardwood floors to their home.

Texture & Color

A splash of both bold color and texture is huge for 2008. Whether it is a bright red accent wall, vibrant purple pillows, or blue hardwood flooring, color the perfect way to bring life into the home. Incorporate texture with embossed wallpaper, plush fabrics or even your flooring. Handscraped flooring, a specialty sanded hardwood, is bigger than ever – each with a unique look and feel.

Whether it is converting a home to be more environmentally friendly, adding some practical comfort or implementing a splash of color or texture, there are a number of ways homeowners can freshen up their space for years to come. However, trends come and go and homeowners are advised to choose projects that best reflect their lifestyle and future plans.

• 1,309 Angie’s List members took the 2007 poll.

This article was provided by Lumber Liquidators. Lumber Liquidators offers many varieties of handscraped floors, including Tobacco Road from Virginia Millworks, which offers a rich, textured floor featuring various shades of brown. More options are available at www.lumberliquidators.com .