For the past six weeks we’ve been discussing trends in the economy and corresponding real estate market predictions for 2015. We’ve heard from chief economists from the major web players like Trulia and Zillow, the National Association of Realtors and looked for clues from the fed. Let’s take a break from trying to look into the crystal ball of mortgage rates, job growth and home pricing and examine some trends of another kind: what’s hot in home design now?
CORAL SHADES
A fresh coat of paint can make almost anything look new. It also offers sellers the easiest and cheapest way to make a dramatic change in their home. According to paint giant Sherwin-Williams, Coral Reef (#6606) is going to be the color of the year and reflects the country’s optimism about the future. “We have a brighter outlook now that we’re out of the recession. But this isn’t a bravado color; it’s more youthful, yet still sophisticated,” says Jackie Jordan, the company’s director of color marketing. Use it on an accent wall or pair it with crisp white and gray for a dramatic but luxurious look.
OPEN SPACES
An open floor plan may seem like a given in most newly built or remodeled homes and condos, but it’s actually just reaching its peak. Now even traditional home builders in single-family suburban homes are expecting and enjoying a kitchen that connects with the living and dining areas. Adding surrounding windows goes a step further to merge the indoors with the out.
OFF-THE-SHELF PLANS
Open plan living is also a staple of most off-the-shelf-plans. Buyers who don’t have the time to plan or want the added expense of a custom house, but want something more than a cookie-cutter replica exactly like their neighbors, finally have another option. House plan companies are offering pre-made blueprints ready to be modified for your specific budget, climate, code and building site. Industry leader Houseplans.com has over 40,000 variations, many following new building trends like smaller footprints, multiple master suites and energy efficiency.
FREESTANDING TUBS
When you think of freestanding tubs you may imagine Victorian-era excess or clawfoot tubs in the corner of a frontier home. But companies like Kohler are lending a more sculptural hand to the old trend. In fact, in high end hotels and luxury remodels, you’d be hard pressed not to find an example of this trend. These tubs are often seen alongside other bathroom design trends like single wash basins and open wall niches.
QUARTZITE
Granite is still fairly ubiquitous in newer homes or remodels, but if you want to stay ahead of the curve, you should consider the new hot contender, quartzite. Quartzite is a natural stone and is virtually indestructible. It also closely resembles the most high end finish, marble, without the drawback of staining easily. Last year plain old quartz was a design favorite and remains so, but quartz is man made while quartzite is entirely natural.
PORCELAIN FLOORS
Trends in flooring over the past few years have all had the same goal, to imitate wood while keeping costs down. Laminate floors are already everywhere, but porcelain will be the imitation wood of choice in 2015. Why? It’s less expensive for one, but it also wears extremely well, some designers and architects actually prefer it to hardwood. Porcelain floors also allow for more variation, with a variety of colors and textures to choose from. High traffic rooms like hallways and living rooms are the perfect choice for porcelain. As an added bonus, unlike hardwood flooring, porcelain holds up to moisture very well.
ALMOST JETSON-READY
As prices continue to drop on technological home automation and advancements, it won’t be long until they become commonplace. Web-controlled security cameras, motion-sensor pet doors, app controllable thermostats and sound systems. Newer versions of these technologies are not only cheaper, they’re easy to both operate and install. Companies are also making it easier for these types of devices to communicate with one another through shared software platforms.
CHARGING STATIONS
With electronic devices shrinking and the proliferation of Wi-Fi, demand is decreasing for large desks and even separate home offices. But dedicated spaces for charging these devices is on the rise. Lexington homes and other major builders are even including charging stations in their bulding plans. Niches and cutouts dedicated to charging your devices are being built into convenient areas like landings, garage entrances and the kitchen corners
MULTIPLE MASTER SUITES
One of the hottest trends in homebuilding and remodeling is the addition of another master suite. Two master bedroom suites, defined by more space and an adjoining bathroom, work better for multiple generations, allowing for grown children or aging parents to move in comfortably for short or long-term stays. The arrangement is also preferable for entertaining out of town guests. The real jackpot is including both master suites on the main level. This design trend is only beginning its sharp rise and is certainly something to consider if you’re looking to increase the resale value of your home.
FIREPLACES AND FIRE PITS
If you’ll excuse the pun, fireplaces and fire pits are a smoking hot design trend. It’s not only more compact designs and fewer venting concerns that are flaming this trend. “The sight of a flame—real or faux—has universal appeal as a signal of warmth, romance, and togetherness,” states Realtor mag. Outdoor fire pits are certainly more accessible and affordable than ever before. Also be on the lookout for a fresh take on an old classic: the humble wood stove. Designers are producing chic and modern takes on the former housing staple.
WELLNESS SYSTEMS
As a country we continue to become more health conscious. Builders are on to the trend as well, adding holistic solutions to environmental and health concerns. Edible gardens, lighting systems designed around sunshine and HVAC recovery systems that constantly filter air and cut down on energy costs are just some examples of wellness forward trends. Pool owners are even getting rid of the need for chlorine and salt by adding an adjacent pool that uses plants and gravel to cleanse the water.
It’s fun to keep up on the latest trends, but in today’s internet driven design world, often what’s new and exciting now can quickly become dated. Make sure you keep your end goal in mind and consider needs and budgets over wow factor. We encourage you to consult with a professional Realtor, interior designer or architect before diving into the latest design trends.
For all of your Los Angeles real estate needs, please call us at 323-829-8811. Or email Susan Andrews at susan@luxurylahomes.com.
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