Home owners remodel their homes for many different reasons, with an eye toward their own enjoyment as well as the eventual resale value.

Some want to give new life to a house with an out-of-date floor plan. Baby boomers who want to stay in their homes as they age � as well as younger home owners who are looking ahead � want to enhance accessibility. And, many home owners want to add sustainable home features that also save money on utility bills.

As the home building and remodeling industry celebrates National Home Remodeling Month in May, one this is clear � home owners are taking their wish lists to professional remodelers to make them happen.

Open up to new spaciousness

Open floor plans remain as popular as ever, and more and more home owners are choosing to take out an interior wall or two to make the space feel larger and more connected.

Remove a wall between the kitchen and a formal dining room and the newly opened space can breathe new life into the entire floor. Natural light enters from more directions and family members working in the kitchen or eating at the counter can interact with others watching television or doing homework. Entertaining takes on a new ease, as friends can gather and move about more freely in the space.

Design for aging in place

Enhancing your home to better accommodate aging in place can also be an upgrade in style, ease of use, and comfort for everyone.

A bathroom upgrade where luxury meets universal design might include a large walk-in shower with zero-threshold, a built-in teak bench or tile corner seat, and multiple shower heads, including a waist-high sprayer.

A new kitchen island may add an eye-catching look and adaptive conveniences with multi-level countertops of an easy to maintain, durable and attractive material such as engineered quartz, a deep drawer for dishes and another for the microwave, and a sink with hands-free faucet.

Going green

Remodeling your home can not only fulfill your family's dream of a more comfortable and stylish home, but depending on the upgrades you choose, you can also realize savings on utility costs, improve air quality for better health and strengthen the long-term value of your home.

Some of the top upgrades that can make a home more energy efficient include putting in high-efficiency windows and low-flow water fixtures, replacing appliances and water heaters with ENERGY STAR�-rated models, increasing or upgrading the quality of insulation, and installing a high-efficiency HVAC system that is appropriately sized for the area that is to be heated or cooled.

To learn more about remodeling or to find a remodeler in your area, contact Greater Montgomery Home Builders Association at (334) 277-7766.