Just when it feels like tariff talk is behind us, new headlines remind us otherwise. The latest round — set to take effect October 1 — includes a 30 percent tariff on furniture and a 50 percent tariff on kitchen and bathroom cabinets. For those of us in the design industry, these tariffs ripple far beyond numbers on a page. They directly impact home remodeling budgets, client timelines, and, unfortunately, the livelihoods of many skilled craftspeople and trades.
It’s no surprise that homeowners are now asking, “Will this affect my renovation plans?” Some are even putting projects on hold, unsure of what costs might look like in the months ahead. High-end renovations using imported materials — such as Italian marble or Spanish tile — are most likely to see price jumps. Other frequently imported staples, such as lumber, plywood, steel, aluminum, and flooring, are also vulnerable to cost increases, since many of these materials come from Canada and Asia. If your project relies heavily on these, it’s smart to build in some cushion for possible price shifts.
While no renovation is completely immune to tariff-related price hikes, some types of work are less vulnerable than others. Let’s take a look at which improvements remain relatively “tariff-proof” — and where it makes sense to move forward with confidence.