Melanie Carter, Senior Interior Designer, Revive Design and Renovation The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is the largest event of the year for the remodeling and design industry. In 2026, the show took place in Orlando, bringing thousands of designers, manufacturers, and builders together to showcase the newest innovations in kitchens, bathrooms, and home…
The Best Remodeling Upgrades for Long-Term Home Value, Not Just Resale
Melanie Carter, Senior Interior Designer, Revive Design and Renovation Whenever you watch a home improvement show, the conversation almost always revolves around resale value. Will this backsplash appeal to buyers? Will removing this wall increase the Zillow estimate? But if you plan to stay in your home for the next five, ten, or even twenty…
The Best Questions to Ask a Remodeler Before You Ever Talk About Design
Melanie Carter, Senior Interior Designer, Revive Design and Renovation Planning a renovation often begins with the fun parts. Homeowners start collecting Pinterest ideas, comparing countertop slabs, and debating paint colors for cabinets. But before the conversation turns to tile selections or hardware finishes, there are more important questions to address. In markets like Tampa Bay…
Why the “Best Reviewed” Remodeler Isn’t Always the Best Choice for Your Project
Kaitlyn Hall, Director of Design, Revive Design and Renovation Online reviews are often the first place homeowners look when researching a remodeling company. A quick search for the “best remodeling company near me” brings up a long list of businesses ranked by star rating. Five stars. Dozens of glowing reviews. Happy homeowners sharing photos of…
What 5-Star Remodeling Reviews Really Mean and What They Don’t
Kaitlyn Hall, Director of Design, Revive Design and Renovation You’re researching remodeling companies. You type the company name into Google, scroll straight to the reviews, and there it is. Five stars. Dozens of glowing comments. Words like amazing, flawless, and highly recommended. It feels reassuring. Almost like the search is over. And to be clear,…
Design-Build vs. Hiring Separate Designers and Contractors: Which Is Better?
Kaitlyn Hall, Director of Design, Revive Design and Renovation When homeowners begin planning a remodel, the first steps often involve gathering referrals, browsing project photos, and reaching out to professionals. At some point in that process, many homeowners discover a decision they did not expect to make. Should you hire a designer and a contractor…
Your Pre-Renovation Checklist: The Roadmap to a Successful Transformation
By Melanie Carter, Senior Designer at Revive Design and Renovation In 2026, a home renovation is one of the most exciting investments you can make. Across Florida, homeowners are choosing to remodel not just to update finishes, but to improve how their homes function day to day. Whether you’re planning a bathroom remodel, a kitchen…
When a Kitchen Remodel Needs Planning, Not Just New Cabinets
By Sarah Turner, Senior Designer at Revive Design and Renovation It’s one of the most common phrases I hear from homeowners at the start of a kitchen remodel: “We just want to update the cabinets.” On the surface, that sounds simple. But more often than not, that “quick update” turns into frustration, delays, and regret…
What Not to Do When Remodeling Your Home: 5 Costly Mistakes We See All the Time
By Kaitlyn Hall, Director of Design at Revive Design and Renovation So, you’ve finally decided to pull the trigger on a home remodel. First of all, congratulations! There’s nothing quite like the excitement of selecting tile samples and finally seeing those Pinterest boards you’ve been saving for years start to come to life. But here’s…
What I Wish I’d Known Before Starting My Home Remodel
Lessons From Real ProjectsBy Sarah Turner, Senior Designer at Revive Design and Renovation Home remodels often begin with excitement. Pulling inspiration photos, saving ideas, and imagining what a space could become. But after working through real projects with real clients and very real constraints, one thing becomes clear quickly: remodeling is far less about choosing…
Before You Sign: A Homeowner’s Guide to Avoiding Pre-Renovation Pitfalls
Melanie Carter, Senior Interior Designer, Revive Design and Renovation Even for the most organized homeowners, the transition from dreaming about a remodel to actually starting one is where the most expensive mistakes tend to happen. In 2026, being a savvy homeowner means looking beyond beautiful 3D renderings and focusing on the details that truly determine…
Avoiding Remodel Regret: 5 Things Homeowners Wish They Had Done Differently
Melanie Carter, Senior Interior Designer, Revive Design and Renovation There’s a very specific kind of disappointment that shows up months after a renovation is finished. You’re standing in your brand-new bathroom or kitchen, admiring the finishes, and suddenly it hits you. You missed an opportunity. When we ask homeowners, “If you could redo this remodel,…