The start of 2018 means the arrival of experts’ opinions on the latest remodeling trends. Before we start on the latest trends, how do you know which trends to follow and which are just fads? There are a couple of things to consider.
- First, don’t commit to a design feature or material just because it’s trendy. Any remodeling choices you make should be compatible with your lifestyle and tastes and most importantly, be something you will be comfortable with long-term. You should be excited about the decisions you make to change your home.
- Secondly, if you’re unsure about whether your design ideas are faddish, consult with a designer. Some ideas which were once thought to be trends (stainless steel appliances, kitchen islands, hardwood floors) have proven to be timeless, while others (1970s avocado green, anyone?) have a short design shelf life. A designer can help you figure out if design selections for your remodeled home will look dated in five years.
That said, here are some of the home design trends experts are discussing for 2018:
Pantone’s Color of the Year is Ultra Violet, a shade of purple that tends more to the blue than the red side of the spectrum. Earth tones have been popular for a while, so Ultra Violet is a dramatic departure, signaling a new interest in bold colors. Pantone says, “A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.” You may not want to decorate your whole house in purple, but it’s worth considering for a wall or as an accent color for accessories.
Pantone Color of the Year
Colorful Cabinets: White is still the most popular kitchen cabinet color, but it’s no longer the reigning first choice. Gray is a trending color in cabinet paint because it acts as a warm neutral. . But the big news in kitchen design is the bold trend toward dark jewel tones such as emerald, navy, and even plum. Such vibrant colors can give your kitchen a fresh and elegant new look. However, be careful, dark cabinets can overwhelm or darken the room. Consider lightening it, by mixing and matching cabinet colors, using darker colors for the lower cabinets and white for the upper cabinets.
Farmhouse Style: This aesthetic is expected to continue. Homeowners, even in urban areas, are choosing warm wood elements, vintage lighting, and Shaker style furniture to convey a rustic, farmhouse feeling. White bib sinks might be losing their appeal, but homeowners are excited about farmhouse style sinks made from concrete, stone, copper in darker colors such as gray, black, and bronze. Moving outside the kitchen, trough and bucket sinks are expected to become popular in kids’ bathrooms and laundry rooms. This type of sink can make the most of small spaces and tends to be durable and low maintenance.
Next Stage Design: Retro Kitchen
Streamlined Design: Many homeowners today are choosing a sleeker aesthetic. They like the idea of coming home to a low maintenance, stress free house, so their preference is for simple, uncluttered lines and sleek furnishings. In practical terms, streamlined design often translates into fewer upper cabinets in the kitchen, giving the room a more open, less-cluttered feeling. To compensate for lost storage space, some designers are substituting open shelves. In other rooms streamlined design can mean homeowners minimize furnishings and accessories, so rooms feel uncluttered and spacious. Often rooms will be decorated in neutral colors while one design element—such as a stone fireplace, bronze door, or brightly colored end table—draws the eye.
Open and Flexible Spaces: Open floor plans continue to stand the test of time. Many families like an open floor plan allowing them to enjoy meal preparation, television, and homework all in the same space. This favors interaction with everyone. Parents can watch small children, while interacting with the rest of the household. Open spaces also allow light to travel from room to room, making the whole house feel lighter and more spacious. Different “rooms” within one large open space can be designated by pillars, lighting, area rugs, wall color, and furniture placement. Today’s homeowners are also looking for spaces with flexibility. A family’s needs change as children grow, and parents like spaces that can be easily reconfigured to meet evolving needs.
Next Stage Design: Open Floor Plan
Are you thinking about exploring 2018 design trends for your remodel? Get in touch with us and have a designer walk through the ideas with you. Schedule a consultation today.