Are you on Houzz? If you’re into anything home-related, you should be. Houzz is the “leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device,” according to the website.

If you’re like me, you love peeking into people’s homes and seeing the amazing things they’re doing with their spaces. You can also participate in discussion boards around design dilemmas, get inspiration, advice, product information and read professional reviews. It’s free and fun. (And no, I’m not a paid endorser.)

Each year Houzz releases a report which is a compilation of findings from its annual “Houzz and Home Survey.” The 2014 results were gathered from 200,000 respondents globally, the largest survey of residential remodeling and decorating activity ever conducted. It focuses on people’s “priorities, plans and budgets” among Houzz users in the U.S. (There’s a separate report for Canadian renovation.)

Here’s a quick summary of the results:

• Homeowners who remodel plan to stay in their homes for the long haul. Millennials (those born between 1980 and 1995) are more likely than any other age group to renovate as a way to increase the resale value of their home before they move.
• Homeowners are optimistic about the improved housing market and more likely to remodel than cash in on improved markets.
• Finding the right products is the biggest challenge among homeowners, vs. funding remodeling projects.
• Most renovations occur in the existing footprint of a home vs. putting on large additions.
• Homeowners who plan major projects in the next two years plan to hire professional help.

So what does all this mean for you, the homeowner? For one, it allows you to gauge where you are in your remodeling and decorating plans against others around the country. The information about different markets can help you decide how to get the most bang for your buck.

For those of us in the home products business, it allows us to see what our customers are faced with and how we can best help them in their renovation efforts. Since one of the top renovation challenges reported is funding, it’s great to know we provide products that are both beautiful and affordable, and really liven up a space for very little cost and only a little bit of elbow grease.

What do you think of this report? Let me know in the comments! Be sure to visit our DIY Decor Store Houzz profile here.