Home Design Trends---Where Do We Go From Here?

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

25 Feb 2007 12:08 PM

There's nothing like starting your new year out with a home-improvement look that's on it's way out. I've spent the last week or so discussing decorating trends. I was inspired by a friend who recently created an interior masterpiece (and she doesn't complain when I come over and drool on her newly tiled floors).

My friend is not the only one jumping on the remodeling bandwagon. According to research conducted by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, in the past decade, almost 30 million homes have been "significantly upgraded." The study revealed that the fastest-growing segment of the market was interior spaces, with kitchens accounting for the biggest chunk, at $13.5 billion, followed by bathrooms, at $10.5 billion.

Make no mistake; the remodeling business is booming. According to a recent study, the industry as a whole generated more than $235 billion dollars last year. Retailers are pushing new options in floors, countertops, bathroom fixtures and other trendy items that cost tens of thousands of dollars to purchase and install.

Similar to fashion trends, home décor trends are fickle. With manufacturers constantly updating and introducing new options it's tough to figure out if what you install today will be dream-kitchen material five years down the road. How could any homeowner possibly know if a look won't fizzle? It seems even the experts can't predict what trend will be in style two years from now. I can imagine it would be hard considering three years ago there were only 500 hardwood floor styles available on the market. Today there are more than 5,000. What's more, tile manufacturers say five years ago there were less than 100 tile options on the market. Now there are close to 600 collections, including tiles made of aluminum, leather and even some that are glass backed with 14-karat gold. One of the most expensive tile options on the market today is a hand-set mosaic style, which mimics a boardwalk in Rio de Janeiro and sells for $362 a square foot.

Custom cabinetry is also getting in on the action. Most makers say they now offer customers finishes that include as many as 27 manufacturing steps, including sanding, baking, joint splitting, hand staining and worm holing. Seven years ago, special finishes required at most 10 steps. Appliance manufacturers are also working to keep up with the changing market, though in this sector "old" trends manage to stick around a bit longer--like stainless-steel kitchen appliances. I've heard some interior decorators say they are "out," but realtors maintain they still boost home resale values.

Which home decor trends are your favorites?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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