Renovation generally refers to renewing something that has been damaged or outdated. When applied to home construction, "renewing" can mean anything from repainting and refacing cabinets to installing new light fixtures to adding other finishes and fixtures. The original design is never changed dramatically, only tweaked or upated. Renovating your kitchen makes it more personalized to your lifestyle, giving it a comfortable and homely atmosphere, at the same time, smaller and less expensive renovations such as changing the color of the room or replacing old windows before putting your house on the market will greatly increase your chance of a successful resale.

Unlike a renovation, which is a renewing of a previous state, a remodel of a room is more of a complete remake. So whenever you take on a project that completely changes the layout, structure, and style of a room, you are remodeling it. In other words, you are permanently changing the look and layout of the space, not just updating or customizing it. If the project involves a drastic change to a space that breathes new life into it and gives off a whole new look and feel, it's most likely a remodel - not a renovation.