When Forbes covers the biggest home renovation trends of the year, I take note. When they feature seven photos from one of my projects to help tell that story, I feel genuinely proud of what this team has built.
Earlier this week, Forbes published their coverage of the 2026 Houzz and Home Study, the largest annual survey of residential remodeling activity in the country with more than 20,000 respondents. Seven images from our Bronco Revival project here in Scottsdale, Az. were selected to help readers visualize the data.
You can read the full Forbes article here.
Here is what the data says, and what it means if you are planning a renovation in the Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, or greater Phoenix area.
Kitchens Are Still King
Kitchens remain the most popular space to renovate, with 26% of homeowners surveyed actively remodeling or planning a kitchen project. Median spend is now $24,000, up from $22,000 last year. For major remodels, that number climbs to $55,000 for larger kitchens.
At Living with Lolo, our luxury kitchen projects typically run well above the national median because our clients are not looking for a surface-level refresh. They want a kitchen that functions for their family and still feels like a piece of art. We hold duel credentials as both an interior design firm and a licensed general contractor under Arizona ROC means we manage every part of the project, from the design concept through final installation, without hand-offs to a separate contractor.
Kayla D.
Our out-of-state condo clients say it best. Here is what one family had to say after we completed their fully furnished Scottsdale condominium, managed entirely remotely from start to finish.
"We had such a wonderful experience working with Living with Lolo. Lauren and her team are a dream, professional, organized, efficient, and friendly. From the very first phone call with Lauren to the final reveal, Living with Lolo truly exceeded our expectations. They handled ALL of the details, which was a lifesaver since we live out of state. And the end result is beautiful, stunning. Thank you, Living with Lolo, for everything. We would use you again without hesitation."
Bathrooms Are Getting Serious Investment
Guest bathrooms came in second at 25% of respondents, with median spend up to $7,000. Primary bathrooms were third, with median spend now at $15,000 and high-end remodels reaching $75,000.
This tracks exactly with what we see in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Clients who are investing in luxury homes want primary bathrooms that feel like a spa. The design details, the materials, the lighting, and the layout all matter, and they want a team that can execute the vision without compromise.
Living Rooms and Bedrooms Round Out the Top Six
Living rooms came in fourth (18% of respondents, median $5,000), followed by guest bedrooms (15%, median $1,500) and primary bedrooms (14%, median $1,700).
The national median spend in these categories reflects the broader market. Our clients in the luxury segment typically invest significantly more, because furniture, textiles, custom window treatments, and layered lighting are what make a home feel finished and intentional. On average, our cients spend between $35,000 and $80,000 on a fully furnished living room.
What Homeowners Are Actually Buying
The Houzz study also broke down the most popular product purchases. Paint led at 62%, followed by light fixtures (48%) and faucets and shower heads (46%). In the interior design category, rugs topped the list at 48%, followed by pillows and throws (47%) and artwork (42%).
Homeowners are investing in the details that shift how a space feels, not just how it looks in a photo. That is exactly the philosophy behind every project we take on at Living with Lolo.
Why This Matters for Scottsdale Homeowners
While the national data is interesting, the local context is what really matters to you.
Scottsdale and Paradise Valley sit in a tier of their own. The homes here are larger, the budgets are higher, and the expectations are significant. If you are planning a kitchen remodel, a primary bathroom renovation, or a full home redesign, the difference between a good result and an exceptional one comes down to who is leading the project.
Equally important is working with a team that is unified and that can give you accurate historical pricing for your remodel before they even start designing your home. This will make sure that your project scope is something that you’re actually going to be able to execute and not just design.
At Living with Lolo, we are one of the only firms in the Phoenix metro area that holds both an interior design credential and an active Arizona Registrar of Contractors general contractor license. That means you work with one team, one contract, and one vision from the first design concept through the last punch list item.
If you are thinking about what a renovation could look like for your home, we would love to talk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Scottsdale in 2026?
Nationally, the median kitchen remodel cost is $24,000 according to the 2026 Houzz and Home Study, up from $22,000 the previous year. Major remodels, meaning at minimum all cabinets and appliances are replaced, run around $55,000 for larger kitchens.
In Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, luxury kitchen remodels typically run significantly higher than the national median. Custom cabinetry, high-end appliances, premium stone countertops, professional-grade plumbing fixtures, and detailed lighting design all contribute to higher project costs in this market. At Living with Lolo, our kitchen projects reflect the expectations of luxury homeowners who want a space that is both functional and extraordinary. Because we hold both an interior design credential and an active Arizona ROC general contractor license, we manage design and construction under one roof, which keeps projects on budget and on schedule.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Scottsdale?
According to the 2026 Houzz and Home Study, the national median for a guest bathroom remodel is $7,000, up from $6,000 the previous year. Primary bathroom remodels have a national median of $15,000, with high-end remodels reaching $75,000.
In the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley luxury market, primary bathroom renovations frequently exceed those national benchmarks. Clients investing in custom tile work, freestanding soaking tubs, steam showers, custom vanities, and spa-level lighting are typically working with budgets well above the national high-end range. The investment reflects how seriously luxury homeowners treat the primary bathroom as a daily retreat, not just a functional space.
What is a design-build firm and why does it matter for a remodel?
A design-build firm is a company that handles both the interior design and the construction or renovation under one contract and one team. Most homeowners who renovate work with a designer separately from a general contractor, which creates hand-off points where the vision can get diluted, the budget can shift, and communication can break down.
A true design-build firm eliminates those hand-offs. The designer and the contractor are the same team, which means the original design intent is protected all the way through construction. At Living with Lolo, we hold both an interior design credential and an active Arizona Registrar of Contractors general contractor license. That dual credential is rare in the Phoenix metro area and it is the reason our clients end up with a finished project that actually looks like the original design.
What is the difference between an interior designer and a design-build firm?
An interior designer focuses on the visual and experiential aspects of a space: the layout, materials, finishes, furniture, lighting, and overall aesthetic. A general contractor manages the physical construction, including permitting, subcontractor coordination, structural work, and installation.
A design-build firm does both. At Living with Lolo, Lauren Lerner and her team handle the full scope from concept design through construction completion. You get one point of contact, one contract, and a team that is accountable for both the design vision and the execution. For luxury homeowners in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, this means fewer surprises, cleaner communication, and a final result that matches what was designed, not a compromised version of it.
Do I need a separate general contractor and interior designer, or can one firm handle both?
You do not have to separate them, and in most cases it is better if you do not. When design and construction are managed by two different companies, you are responsible for bridging the gap between them. Decisions get made in a vacuum, budgets get revised mid-project, and the design can shift to accommodate construction realities that the contractor never communicated back to the designer.
When one firm holds both credentials, that problem goes away. Living with Lolo is one of the only firms in the Phoenix metro area licensed as both an interior design firm and an Arizona ROC general contractor. Our clients work with one team from the first design meeting through the final walkthrough.
What should I prioritize when renovating a luxury home in Scottsdale?
The short answer is: start with the spaces you use most and finish with the spaces you want to feel most proud of. Kitchens and primary bathrooms are consistently the highest-return renovation investments and the spaces that most directly affect daily quality of life.
For luxury homeowners in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, we also recommend thinking about the full home experience before you start any single room. A beautiful kitchen renovation that does not connect visually or functionally to the adjacent living and dining spaces can feel disconnected once it is finished. The clients who are happiest with their results are the ones who came to us with a whole-home vision, even if the work was phased over time.
At Living with Lolo, we specialize in whole-home renovations, new construction interiors, and full furnishing projects. We bring the same level of intentionality to a single room as we do to a complete home transformation.
Why were Living with Lolo's photos chosen for Forbes?
The seven photos featured in Forbes came from our Bronco Revival project in Scottsdale, photographed by Stephanie Studer of Life Created. Forbes selected them to illustrate their coverage of the 2026 Houzz and Home Study across kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom, and exterior renovation categories.
We believe the images were selected because they represent the kind of work the Houzz data is describing at the high end: spaces that are designed with intention, built with precision, and photographed in a way that shows both the detail and the overall feeling of a finished home. That is the standard we hold every project to.
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Living with Lolo is a licensed interior design and design-build firm serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Arcadia, and the greater Phoenix metro area. Arizona ROC License 347577.
Lauren Lerner is the founder of Living With Lolo, a nationally recognized Scottsdale interior designer and an Arizona licensed general contractor. She is celebrated for creating luxury homes that are warm, livable, and deeply personal, blending thoughtful design with seamless construction and curated furnishings. Recognized as one of Arizona’s top interior designers, Lauren has worked with celebrities, athletes, and executives across the country. Her work, known for its elevated yet inviting style, has been featured in multiple national publications. Guided by the belief that great design should feel as good as it looks, Lauren transforms houses into homes that truly reflect her clients’ lives.