Reducing carbon emissions in the built environment requires shifting from new construction to the renovation of existing buildings. Circularity principles are increasingly seen as a way to reduce embodied carbon and resource consumption, yet what constitutes circular renovation remains ambiguous, with various open questions about its strategies and practical application. This paper aims to address this gap by examining how circular economy principles are interpreted and implemented in Dutch residential renovation projects. Because the notion of renovation covers a broad spectrum of building interventions, our study first categorises renovations into three types: component renovation, comprehensive renovation, and strategic densification. We then map how circular strategies have been translated into practical solutions. Lastly, we examine how energy renovation measures intersect with circular approaches, identifying where commonly applied energy upgrades support or hinder circular outcomes. The findings of this research highlight both the potential and limitations, as well as the unclarities, of current practices, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of circular renovation. While rooted in the Dutch context, the insights are relevant to regions facing similar challenges of ageing housing stock and the need to reduce carbon emissions. Ultimately, the paper supports the development of design-led renovation scenarios that advance a transition towards circular renovation.