SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT creative freedom when choosing dining sets, appliances, and countertops. Customization in this room of the house is key. Love to cook? Add specific features that enhance your cooking experience, such as pot-filler faucets above the stove or double ovens for twice the cooking power. Not quite a chef? Create an inviting space for guests to gather around with decorative pops of color added by useful appliances that make cooking a breeze.
• Mix and match: Gone are the days of matching appliances. A variety of companies are now offering new color lines of large appliances to mix and match for a trendy look. Matte finishes are an alternative to stainless steel, boasting a fingerprint-free surface that provides a sleek look. Two-toned cabinets are also sticking, bringing in similar hues while adding interest to the space.
• Quartz and high-end laminate: Granite is making an exit as the most popular countertop with a durable, fresh-looking competitor taking its place in the ranking: quartz. Quartz is harder than granite and not porous, making it nearly indestructible and easy to maintain. Don’ t have the budget for quartz? What used to get a bad rap is now stealing the show. High-end laminate is now imitating the look of a natural stone countertop. Don’ t rule it out until you’ ve seen it.
• Golden fixtures: This year is all about customization, allowing for more freedom when choosing kitchen fixtures. Brass and copper finishes are paired with slate appliances to add a modern feel to the entertainment hub of the home.
Decorating Trends Decorating has never been so customizable. Focus on your inner self and what makes you feel calm, relaxed and comfortable in your home. This year is all about self-care and bringing happiness into the home.
• Bring in the green: Plants not only add a pop of color to any room, they also improve air quality and purify the air. Choose plants that are easy to grow and maintain for a foolproof way to freshen up a room.
• Geometric patterns: Farther down on the trends list for 2017, geometric patterns crept up to # 1 on the list of trends in home decor this year. Add these unique patterns with tiled floors,
backsplashes, or shower stalls. Too permanent? Try adding a funky wallpaper or piece of art to the walls. Fabrics are also a simple way to add interest to a room and can quickly be changed out when a new trend comes along.
• Wood treatments: Aligning with the need for connecting back to nature, earthen treatments, like wood and stone, are allowing homeowners to reconnect with their roots. Organic materials are also making their way into home decor.
• Metallics: Brass is the“ new and now” metallic. Gone are the days of rose gold and slowly fading out of the spotlight is copper. Silver metallics remain a favorite to many, both for accent pieces and hardware.
• Intense paint colors: Deep hues are trending in 2018, bringing pops of color to all rooms of the house. While too much of a good thing can make it feel like it’ s midnight in the middle of the day, use deeper colors for a dramatic accent wall or as a modern backsplash.
Home Office Space Ideas
An uptick in self-employment and flexible workplace settings are allowing home offices to become one of the most-used areas in the house. But dedicating an entire room to an office may not always be doable. Be creative when designing a home office and look for underutilized spaces. Clear out space in a finished attic for a desk, chair and some added lighting. Better yet, shut the door for some real quiet time. No attic space? Dedicate a wall in the basement as a workspace by adding a small area rug under a desk to warm up the room. Be sure to schedule laundry at a different time to avoid distractions. If all else fails, a niche in the family room can be a dedicated space to get work done. With the right accents and furniture, any area can make the perfect home office.
• Less is more: It’ s impossible to have a clear mind with a cluttered workspace. Keep home offices simple to avoid the desire to keep unnecessary papers and books piled on top of a desk. Create a home for everything on your desk. Set aside a space for writing utensils, notebooks, and hardware that is neat and tidy. A filing cabinet is best to organize papers and store supplies.
• Multipurpose surfaces and furniture: Finding multipurpose furniture for small office spaces is key for optimal use of space. Mobile furniture makes packing up after a long day of work a breeze. Use wall space as storage, with desks that fold back into a wall mount. Avoid purchasing furniture that looks like it would be found in an office. If you’ re utilizing a room for several different purposes, shop around for furniture that complements the look of the entire room.
Home trends are shaping up to add comfort and value to homes. Focus on accenting natural features both inside and outside. Smart homes look to be the future, but these innovative technologies will bring a new dynamic to homeownership, with challenges of maintaining security being top of mind. Find a balance in your home-decorating style by adding features that bring out the very best in you and your family. Whether it’ s a pop of color in your kitchen, or a fantastic feature in your backyard, make your home your own this year. ■
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