When considering home improvements for your Oregon Coast real estate investment, return on investment (ROI) is often the primary focus. However, there's another crucial factor worth considering for Newport Oregon real estate owners: the joy and satisfaction these projects bring to your daily life while you're still living in your coastal home.
The National Association of REALTORS®' 2022 Remodeling Impact Report introduced a fascinating metric called the "Joy Score" – rating from 1 to 10 how happy homeowners reported feeling after completing various renovation projects. Remarkably, several projects received perfect scores of 10/10, even when their financial returns varied significantly.
As your Newport Oregon real estate specialist, I'm exploring these joy-inducing home improvements and why they might be worth considering for your Oregon Coast property, regardless of their financial ROI.
Projects with Perfect Joy Scores (10/10)
1. Paint Entire Interior Home
Financial ROI: Not specifically measured
Homeowner Satisfaction: 10/10 Joy Score
Of all the projects studied, painting the entire interior of your home represents one of the most affordable ways to achieve maximum satisfaction. A remarkable 88% of homeowners reported a greater desire to be at home after completion, and 85% felt a major sense of accomplishment.
Why It Brings Joy:
- Creates an immediate, dramatic transformation
- Offers a fresh canvas that makes existing furnishings look renewed
- Allows for personal expression and current color trends
- Provides a sense of cleanliness and renewal
Oregon Coast Considerations: In Oregon Coast properties, light, airy color schemes that reflect natural beach tones can create a sense of expanded space and harmony with the surrounding environment. Consider soft blues, sandy beiges, and gentle sea-glass greens for a cohesive coastal palette.
As one Otter Rock homeowner shared, "Painting our entire interior in soft coastal colors completely transformed how we feel in our space. The home feels more peaceful, more 'us,' and more connected to the beach just outside."
2. Paint One Interior Room
Financial ROI: Not specifically measured
Homeowner Satisfaction: 10/10 Joy Score
Even painting just one room scored a perfect 10 for joy, with 73% of homeowners reporting a greater desire to be at home afterward. This makes it an excellent "starter project" for those who want to experience the satisfaction of home improvement without a major commitment.
Perfect for:
- Home offices (particularly important in today's remote work environment)
- Primary bedrooms (creating a personal sanctuary)
- Living areas (refreshing the spaces where you spend the most time)
3. Add New Home Office
Financial ROI: Not specifically measured
Homeowner Satisfaction: 10/10 Joy Score
Perhaps unsurprisingly given recent work trends, adding a home office received a perfect joy score. Among homeowners who completed this project, 91% reported a greater desire to be at home—one of the highest percentages across all projects.
Why It's Especially Valuable for Oregon Coast Real Estate:
- Creates a productive space with potential ocean or water views
- Allows Newport Oregon real estate owners to work remotely more effectively
- Provides a dedicated area that separates work from leisure
- Enables more time enjoying Oregon Coast living by eliminating commutes
"Adding a proper home office with a view of the water completely changed my relationship with work," explained a Newport Oregon real estate client. "I'm more productive, happier, and able to take short beach breaks that refresh my creativity."
4. Hardwood Flooring Refinish
Financial ROI: 147%
Homeowner Satisfaction: 10/10 Joy Score
This project delivers both perfect joy and the highest financial ROI of any improvement studied—truly the best of both worlds. Homeowners reported both aesthetic benefits and practical improvements in daily living.
Why It Brings Joy to Oregon Coast Real Estate Owners:
- Removes signs of wear from sand and salt exposure
- Restores natural beauty and warmth to Oregon Coast living spaces
- Creates a clean, fresh foundation for coastal decor
- Provides a durable surface that performs well in Newport Oregon beach environments
5. New Wood Flooring
Financial ROI: 118%
Homeowner Satisfaction: 10/10 Joy Score
Like refinishing existing floors, installing new wood flooring brings both joy and excellent financial returns. A remarkable 90% of homeowners reported a greater desire to be at home after this improvement.
Oregon Coast Real Estate Living Benefits:
- Provides barefoot-friendly surfaces that complement Newport Oregon beach living
- Creates visual continuity throughout Oregon Coast open floor plans
- Offers durability against sand and moisture when properly selected
- Ages gracefully, developing character rather than looking worn
6. Closet Renovation
Financial ROI: 83%
Homeowner Satisfaction: 10/10 Joy Score
While not offering the highest financial return, closet renovations deliver maximum satisfaction with 79% of homeowners reporting a greater desire to be at home afterward.
Why It's Particularly Satisfying in Oregon Coast Real Estate:
- Provides specialized storage for beach gear, water sports equipment, and seasonal items
- Creates organization systems that manage the sand and moisture inherent to Oregon Coast living
- Maximizes storage in Newport Oregon vacation properties that may have limited square footage
- Reduces daily stress through improved organization and functionality
"Having a properly organized closet system has made our Newport Oregon beach house so much more functional," shared a Lincoln City homeowner. "Everything has its place—beach towels, sunscreen, hats, flip-flops—instead of creating constant clutter."
7. Insulation Upgrade
Financial ROI: 100%
Homeowner Satisfaction: 10/10 Joy Score
Perhaps surprising for an "invisible" improvement, insulation upgrades scored perfect 10 for joy while also returning 100% of their cost financially.
Why It Brings Unexpected Joy:
- Creates more consistent comfort throughout Oregon Coast real estate
- Reduces energy bills—a significant benefit in Newport Oregon areas with fluctuating temperatures
- Minimizes outside noise penetration (from beaches, boardwalks, or tourist areas)
- Improves indoor air quality and reduces moisture issues common in Oregon Coast properties
Beyond the Perfect Scores
Several other projects came very close to perfect joy scores while offering distinctive benefits:
Complete Kitchen Renovation (9.8/10)
With a nearly perfect joy score, kitchen renovations transform the heart of the home while returning 75% of their cost. In Oregon Coast real estate, kitchens often serve as gathering spaces with views and connections to outdoor living areas.
Kitchen Upgrade (9.8/10)
Achieving the same near-perfect joy score as a complete renovation but at approximately half the cost, kitchen upgrades represent a balanced approach to improving this essential space.
Exterior Painting (9.8/10)
Refreshing your home's exterior creates instant curb appeal while protecting it from Oregon Coast elements—salt air, intense sun, and moisture. The high joy score reflects both pride in appearance and peace of mind from improved protection.
The Science Behind Joy Scores
What makes certain projects so satisfying beyond their financial returns? Research suggests several factors:
- Visible Transformation: Projects that create noticeable before-and-after differences tend to bring more satisfaction
- Daily Impact: Improvements that enhance your everyday routine deliver ongoing satisfaction
- Pain Point Resolution: Projects that solve persistent problems bring relief and joy
- Personal Expression: Renovations that allow for personal style expression create emotional connection
- Pride Factor: Completed projects that generate compliments from others boost satisfaction
Balancing Joy and ROI
For Oregon Coast homeowners not planning to sell immediately, I recommend considering both metrics when prioritizing projects:
High Joy + High ROI (Win-Win):
- Hardwood floor refinishing (10/10 joy, 147% ROI)
- New wood flooring (10/10 joy, 118% ROI)
- Insulation upgrade (10/10 joy, 100% ROI)
High Joy + Moderate ROI (Enjoy Now, Recoup Later):
- Closet renovation (10/10 joy, 83% ROI)
- Kitchen renovation (9.8/10 joy, 75% ROI)
- Bathroom renovation (9.6/10 joy, 71% ROI)
High Joy + Unmeasured ROI (Quality of Life Improvements):
- Interior painting
- Adding a home office
- Laundry room upgrades
The Oregon Coast Real Estate Lifestyle Premium
For Newport Oregon real estate and Oregon Coast properties specifically, renovations that enhance connection to the natural environment and facilitate indoor/outdoor living often generate both high satisfaction and strong market appeal:
- Outdoor living spaces that complement Oregon Coast lifestyles
- Windows and doors that maximize Newport Oregon water views
- Durable, low-maintenance materials that allow more time enjoying the Oregon Coast
- Specialized storage and organization for beach activities
Making Joy-Driven Decisions
If you're considering home improvements primarily for your own enjoyment rather than immediate resale, I recommend:
- Identify Your Pain Points: Which aspects of your home consistently frustrate you?
- Track Your Patterns: Where do you spend most of your time? What would make those spaces more enjoyable?
- Consider Your Lifestyle: Which improvements would best support your Oregon Coast living activities?
- Start Small: Test your joy response with smaller projects before committing to major renovations
The Bottom Line: Your Home, Your Happiness
While ROI matters, the joy your Oregon Coast real estate brings you every day is equally valuable—especially in Newport Oregon properties where lifestyle and emotional connection to place are often paramount.
As one of my Newport Oregon real estate clients wisely noted, "We moved to the Oregon Coast for quality of life. Our renovations should enhance that life, not just our property value."
With over 20 years of experience serving Newport, Yachats, Waldport, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Otter Rock, and Seal Rock, I understand both the financial and emotional aspects of home ownership. I'm happy to help you evaluate potential improvements based on both investment potential and lifestyle enhancement.
Contact me today to discuss how to maximize both joy and value in your Newport Oregon real estate investment!
Stay tuned for our next blog in this series: "Simple Transformations, Major Impact: Paint Projects with High Returns"
About Audra Powell, CRS: Licensed since 2004, I specialize in oceanview and oceanfront properties throughout Lincoln County, including Newport, Yachats, Waldport, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Otter Rock, and Seal Rock. As a top-producing agent with Advantage Real Estate and #1 in Newport for sales and production in 2024, I bring unmatched local knowledge and personalized service to help you achieve your real estate goals.
Sources: National Association of REALTORS® 2022 Remodeling Impact Report
