Are you trendy?

For several home buyers, a home office space still dominates amenities they want in a new home, but several new trends are arising both in and out of the house.

A room for hobbies, whether it’s an outdoor space for golf, an indoor space for displaying a collection or a room dedicated to their fur baby. Home buyers want to customize their home in ways that have not been imagined before.  Large personal spaces have edged in on the family room or game room and a preference for smaller, cozy social spaces has developed.

Energy conservation is still sought-after with low energy requirement appliances, energy star windows, efficient HVAC units and better insulation top of the list. Use of “green” building materials has never been in greater demand with natural materials taking the spotlight. Cork is natural and low-maintenance, inexpensive, and versatile material resistant to mold, mildew, water, termites, fire, cracking, and abrasions. Also, cork can be stained and finished with polyurethane. Health and environmental conscious buyers are also opting for gas fireplaces instead of the wood burning kind. Installing air and water purifiers, and special attention to using nontoxic paints and adhesives continue on trend.

In interior design the pendulum has swung back and modern is out including the recent all white trend – warm things up with earthy tones in green, brown & blush. Overdone marble and copper are also dated. Continuous with the color trend, warm up your house with wood, tile and un-polished touches in metals like antique brass. Velvet is luxury gone comfy and a perfect balance to the earthy, unfinished look of reclaimed wood and Terra cotta tile. Say good bye to boring furniture sets – go mix and match with time and pattern and away from generic bought at once modern furniture stores. The same goes for mass produced furniture. Reclaiming, recycling and restoration are having a huge moment as is local sourcing. Move over statement walls! Statement ceilings are the thing of the future! And statement lighting is coming back, too.

Remember: Regardless of the trends – make it YOUR home.