Remodeling Trends for 2012
01/30/2012 07:59 AM Filed in: Remodeling | Design Ideas & Trends
With the holidays all tucked away for a while, many homeowners return their focus to sprucing up their house. Due to the effects of our economy’s depreciation, many remodelers have a modified goal of making clients’ homes more comfortable without overspending by incorporating practical trends that are not only cost-effective, but useful as well. When tackling remodeling projects, you’ll find some pay off more handsomely than others if you decide to sell.
Here’s our 2012 list of where and how to get the biggest bang for your home buck:
Kitchens are still a popular project and certainly one of the most scrutinized areas of the home during resale. Kitchen design is moving toward more simplistic styles. Heavy detailing such as corbels, carvings, etc. are out. Heavy glazed finishes are also becoming less popular as homeowners are requesting more simplistic paint and stain finishes. Clean lines and "Shaker" style doors and drawers will be a popular selection.
Bathroom Renovations continue to be popular with the goal of becoming spa-like retreats as opposed to utility-type rooms. Rain heads, body sprays, steam units, TVs and more are being incorporated to make the bathroom a true relaxation area. Tubs continue to see a decline as homeowners opt for larger showers. Freestanding tubs are popular but only where there is adequate space to accommodate both a tub and large shower. Curbless showers, accessibility, and other "Aging In Place" items will gain in popularity.
Open Floor Plans will increase in demand. People will continue to knock down walls to create larger spaces with more open floor plans. The focus on "gathering" and "entertaining" areas for family and friends will continue to be a popular theme.
Outdoor Living Areas will remain high on many homeowners’ wish lists. These once very elaborate outdoor areas have been scaled back to meet the needs and budgets of many. The trend will still be toward a covered area with some sort of fireplace or fire pit, sitting areas, dining table alongside a grill area. The true "outdoor kitchen" is still a wish-list item but often becomes a budget buster.
Flooring will still be one of the best "bang for your buck" projects a homeowner can undertake. Hardwood flooring still remains popular and wider plank flooring is still a big request. Take out old carpet and replace with hardwoods or other bare flooring materials. This will improve the look of your home and help curb allergies as dander and dust often become trapped in carpet.
Paint Colors are another safe investment with many experts agreeing calming colors will be among 2012’s top sellers. We can thank the economy for this because when times are tough people tend to use color conservatively; longevity colors in natural tones such as stone gray and driftwood taupe will be popular. Accent colors can balance out the neutral direction but also are trending toward conservative tones. Two predictions: Bright splashes of red feel iconic and patriotic, and navy blue feels stable and comfortable. On the other hand, paint is easy to change so if you crave color, you can reserve neutrals for sofas and other more expensive items. Popular choices will comprise nature colors such as blues, greens, and grays perhaps complemented by a medium-pink raspberry pop of color to perk up the senses. Finally, of course retro black and white these days delivers a contemporary flair giving a room a sophisticated, fresh, stylish makeover.
LCD Lighting is becoming a very popular request. Prices will continue to come down and the light quality is now on par or even better than that of traditional incandescent lighting. The energy savings and life expectancy of LED lighting are making it one of the best energy-efficient upgrades you can make.
Weatherization and other energy-saving projects will also remain popular. Insulation, air sealing, window replacement, improved indoor air quality, and energy efficiency are all very important features of any home and are becoming feature requests by prospective homebuyers. These projects will have an impact on your home -- both now and in the future. They may not be the sexiest changes to make but if done correctly can save you money in the coming years, plus they make your home a healthier place to live.
By going green, a homeowner can make a difference in the environmental footprint left on a daily basis. To do so, incorporate sustainable practices into the home such as installing energy-efficient appliances and double-paned windows and using eco-friendly materials such as flooring, cabinets, and paint.
Remember, updating your home by following remodeling trends is a great way to improve your space’s functionality and efficiency while working to increase your house’s market value.
Writing collaborated by Duane Johns (Advanced Renovations, Inc.) and Ginger Sprinkle @ nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).
Here’s our 2012 list of where and how to get the biggest bang for your home buck:
Kitchens are still a popular project and certainly one of the most scrutinized areas of the home during resale. Kitchen design is moving toward more simplistic styles. Heavy detailing such as corbels, carvings, etc. are out. Heavy glazed finishes are also becoming less popular as homeowners are requesting more simplistic paint and stain finishes. Clean lines and "Shaker" style doors and drawers will be a popular selection.
Bathroom Renovations continue to be popular with the goal of becoming spa-like retreats as opposed to utility-type rooms. Rain heads, body sprays, steam units, TVs and more are being incorporated to make the bathroom a true relaxation area. Tubs continue to see a decline as homeowners opt for larger showers. Freestanding tubs are popular but only where there is adequate space to accommodate both a tub and large shower. Curbless showers, accessibility, and other "Aging In Place" items will gain in popularity.
Open Floor Plans will increase in demand. People will continue to knock down walls to create larger spaces with more open floor plans. The focus on "gathering" and "entertaining" areas for family and friends will continue to be a popular theme.
Outdoor Living Areas will remain high on many homeowners’ wish lists. These once very elaborate outdoor areas have been scaled back to meet the needs and budgets of many. The trend will still be toward a covered area with some sort of fireplace or fire pit, sitting areas, dining table alongside a grill area. The true "outdoor kitchen" is still a wish-list item but often becomes a budget buster.
Flooring will still be one of the best "bang for your buck" projects a homeowner can undertake. Hardwood flooring still remains popular and wider plank flooring is still a big request. Take out old carpet and replace with hardwoods or other bare flooring materials. This will improve the look of your home and help curb allergies as dander and dust often become trapped in carpet.
Paint Colors are another safe investment with many experts agreeing calming colors will be among 2012’s top sellers. We can thank the economy for this because when times are tough people tend to use color conservatively; longevity colors in natural tones such as stone gray and driftwood taupe will be popular. Accent colors can balance out the neutral direction but also are trending toward conservative tones. Two predictions: Bright splashes of red feel iconic and patriotic, and navy blue feels stable and comfortable. On the other hand, paint is easy to change so if you crave color, you can reserve neutrals for sofas and other more expensive items. Popular choices will comprise nature colors such as blues, greens, and grays perhaps complemented by a medium-pink raspberry pop of color to perk up the senses. Finally, of course retro black and white these days delivers a contemporary flair giving a room a sophisticated, fresh, stylish makeover.
LCD Lighting is becoming a very popular request. Prices will continue to come down and the light quality is now on par or even better than that of traditional incandescent lighting. The energy savings and life expectancy of LED lighting are making it one of the best energy-efficient upgrades you can make.
Weatherization and other energy-saving projects will also remain popular. Insulation, air sealing, window replacement, improved indoor air quality, and energy efficiency are all very important features of any home and are becoming feature requests by prospective homebuyers. These projects will have an impact on your home -- both now and in the future. They may not be the sexiest changes to make but if done correctly can save you money in the coming years, plus they make your home a healthier place to live.
By going green, a homeowner can make a difference in the environmental footprint left on a daily basis. To do so, incorporate sustainable practices into the home such as installing energy-efficient appliances and double-paned windows and using eco-friendly materials such as flooring, cabinets, and paint.
Remember, updating your home by following remodeling trends is a great way to improve your space’s functionality and efficiency while working to increase your house’s market value.
Writing collaborated by Duane Johns (Advanced Renovations, Inc.) and Ginger Sprinkle @ nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).