Colors
The latest trends can often become classic if you avoid the “trendy” aspects. This year we see a return to warmer colors. We also see the use of some color which is a departure from last years white trend. If you followed the latest trends last year, you will be safe this year.
Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams both offer their picks for color of the year. Benjamin Moore has a deep grey with warm purple/magenta tones. Sherwin Williams offers a brown shade in it’s Poised Taupe. Both signal a trend to more earth tones as mainstream, while still offering up suggestions of bold return to primaries. If you are asking one of our team, you will probably hear names like Edgecomb Grey or Revere Pewter. They are both tried and true “greige” colors what are soothing and neutral while not being boring.
Wall color is one aspect, but trim can make those colors pop. We still see homes with lovely gumwood, but we also see many owners opting to swap that to crisp whites. Dove White is still a choice that offers a classic feel with a slight warm tint.
Kitchens
Top trends:
- Tuxedo kitchen cabinets: Mix up a kitchen’s color palette with Tuxedo cabinets. Homeowners can do a literal interpretation with black and white, but Zillow Digs’ design expert Kerrie Kelly suggests using other complementary colors, such as navy blue and soft gray, for a softer contrast.
- Hidden appliances: Ditch stainless steel appliances, which can feel cold and industrial, and switch them for hidden appliances that easily meld into the design scheme. Also, they provide an unexpected touch for potential buyers who plan on spending plenty of time in the kitchen.
- Wood paneling: Transport your buyers back to grandma’s kitchen with wood paneling, also known as shiplap. Kelly suggests using white shiplap, which gives a clean, modern finish.
- Mixed hardware finishes: Instead of going for a monochromatic stainless steel look, homeowners are choosing appliances and accessories with various finishes, such as gold, copper or pewter. The final result is an eclectic, one-of-a-kind space.
Fads to forget:
- Speckled granite: Homeowners are no longer limited to granite countertops. Instead, they’re going for quartz, marble and butcher block countertops that are easier to stain and maintain.
- Short cabinets: Ditch the short cabinets, and install taller ones. According to Kelly, tall cabinets make a small kitchen look bigger and brighter.
- Dark brown wood and paint colors: According to Kelly, “bigger and brighter” will be the name of the game for 2017. With that, dark paint, accessories and wood finishes will go out of style.
Baths
The simple white classic is always welcome, but a more organic approach is the expected trend for 2017. Using wood elements, such as flooring and shelving, are a great way to bring a more natural feel. The use of brown tones in tile is a great way to warm up what can often be a cold stark space. We spend a fair amount of time in our bathrooms and the warm tones bouncing around actually help us look good. That sounds strange, but colors reflect and warm colors in a bathroom reflect on our skin. Looking in the mirror in a bathroom with warm or neutral tones actually helps! Fixtures in a bathroom are trending towards chrome, a great and durable finish in any bathroom. Tile size selection is hitting the two extremes, either small penny or massive proportions. A mixture of the two can help define areas. Wainscoting of tile, a 1950’s trend, is back for the durability. It helps add some detail while waterproofing the lower wall space.
Trends can come and go, but how you design your home should reflect who you are while balancing future resale and recapture of your investments. Having an experienced real estate agent provide their perspective before any renovations can help you make the most of your investment. Ask one of our team members to assist before you take on that next project!