The Most Popular Upgrades Homebuyers Choose (And Which Ones Add the Most Value)
When you’re building a new home in Colorado Springs, the upgrade decisions can feel overwhelming. Every option sounds appealing — but which ones do buyers actually choose, and which ones truly pay off in daily life and long-term value? At Campbell Homes, we’ve been building in Jackson Creek, Meridian Ranch, Vista Grande, and across Colorado Springs for over 60 years. We’ve seen which upgrades buyers love from day one and which ones they wish they’d added. Here’s what we know.
Kitchen Upgrades: The Highest-Impact Investment
The kitchen is consistently the most upgraded room in a new Campbell home — and for good reason. It’s where daily life happens, and it’s one of the first things buyers notice when comparing homes.
Most popular choices:
- Chef’s Kitchen — commercial gas range with industrial vent hood, for buyers who cook seriously and want a kitchen that performs like it looks
- Gourmet Kitchen — gas cooktop with double ovens, the top pick for families who entertain and need the flexibility of two ovens
- Two-tone cabinetry — contrasting island colors or differentiated upper and lower cabinets are major hot design trends; the visual impact is immediate and the cost is lower than most buyers expect
Value add: Kitchen upgrades consistently rank among the highest returns in new construction. A well-appointed kitchen elevates the entire home’s perceived value.
Bathrooms: Where Buyers Treat Themselves
After the kitchen, bathrooms are where buyers invest most — and where the difference between standard and upgraded is felt every single day.
Most popular choices:
- Freestanding soaking tubs — a top request from buyers who want a true retreat in their primary bath
- Enlarged showers with Euro glass enclosures — clean, spa-like, and a visual upgrade that makes any bathroom feel larger and more luxurious
Value add: Primary bath upgrades are among the most consistently appreciated features by future buyers, making them both a lifestyle and resale investment.
Outdoor Living: Colorado Buyers Prioritize This
Colorado Springs summers are exceptional — and buyers building here know it. Outdoor living upgrades are among the fastest-growing requests in our design consultations.
Most popular choices:
- Enlarged patios (partially covered) — the most popular option, giving flexibility between sun and shade
- Fully covered patios — ideal for buyers who want a defined outdoor room they can use rain or shine
Value add: In the Colorado Springs market, usable outdoor space is a strong differentiator — especially in neighborhoods like Meridian Ranch and Jackson Creek where lot sizes support it.
Basement Upgrades: Unlocking the Lower Level
A finished basement doubles your usable living space — and the details matter.
Most popular choices:
- 9-foot foundation walls — the single most impactful basement upgrade; the difference in how a lower level feels with 9-foot versus standard ceilings is dramatic
- Wet bars — consistently chosen by buyers who want a proper entertainment space, guest suite, or flex room downstairs
Value add: A well-finished basement with generous ceiling height and a wet bar adds significant resale value and expands how the home functions for years.
Garage Expansions: Underestimated Until You Need It
Colorado life means gear — and buyers often wish they’d gone bigger on the garage.
Most popular choices:
- 4-foot front garage extensions — more depth for trucks, SUVs, and storage without changing the home’s footprint
- 3–4 car garages — increasingly popular with families managing multiple vehicles, recreational equipment, and workshop space
- Detached garages — available where the lot allows, a top choice for buyers who want true separation between living and utility space
Value add: Garage space is one of the most searched features by Colorado Springs buyers. More garage almost always means more value.
Multi-Gen Options: A Growing Priority
More Colorado Springs families are building with multiple generations in mind — and Campbell Homes designs for it.
Most popular choices:
- Secondary suites with 5-piece baths — full independence for a parent, adult child, or long-term guest
- Bedrooms with attached ensuites — privacy without the full secondary suite footprint
Value add: Multi-gen capability is increasingly important to buyers and significantly expands who a home appeals to in resale.
Smart Storage: The Detail That Changes Daily Life
Buyers don’t always lead with storage on their wishlist — but they’re always glad they prioritized it.
Most popular choices:
- Coffee bars — the most universally loved addition; buyers use them every single morning
- Drop stations — entryway organization that makes the chaos of daily life manageable
- Wine bars in the dining area — functional, stylish, and a consistent conversation piece
- Dining nook cabinets — built-in storage that makes a dining space feel intentional and complete
Designer Finishes: Small Decisions, Big Difference
The upgrades that often surprise buyers the most are the finishing touches — because they change how the whole home feels.
Most popular choices:
- Upgraded light fixtures — one of the most affordable upgrades relative to impact; lighting transforms a room’s entire atmosphere
- Upgraded sinks and faucet fixtures — the sink is now treated as a place for high-end, highly visual impact. From undermount or farmhouse sinks, to touchless faucets and commercial-looking spring-spout or gooseneck faucets for large pots.
- Upgraded cabinet and door fixtures — buyers are leaning into warm copper, champagne bronze and classic matte black fixtures. Soft-close glides and cabinet hinges are also a must-have.
Build Smarter in Colorado Springs
The best upgrades aren’t the most expensive ones — they’re the ones that match how you actually live. At Campbell Homes, our professional design center offers one-on-one consultations to help you prioritize what matters most for your family, your lifestyle, and your long-term value.
As Colorado Springs’ oldest locally-owned builder — and a multi-year winner of Best Home Builder from The Gazette and Springs Magazine — we bring over 60 years of experience to every decision you make. Building in Jackson Creek, Meridian Ranch, or Vista Grande? Let’s talk about what’s available for your new home.
