Your Dream Home Just Got Better! 10 Home-Altering Trends

posted on December 03, 2017

As you walk through your next potential home or your current one, think about these design ideas and hot decor trends so you can transform it into something that truly is dreamy.

Patterned Tile

Patterned tile is hot, hot, hot right now. We love the fact that monochromatic tile is just as popular as colorful mosaics. Think about ways to put it on the floor or on the wall. The options are endless. Think of using it to make little splashes – even on a small bathroom floor or to accent an area of your back splash.

Ship lap

Wood walls, planked walls, ship lap … doesn’t matter what you call it … it’s a definite do. You want to look for spaces that can handle additional texture or subtle design, like the kitchen or the living room. Since this is a super versatile trend, it definitely has staying power. Paint it white for a more subdued look, or leave the wood look for loads of pop.

Gray Paint

Warm, gray color schemes are the new neutral. Grays are way better than the beige of yesteryear. Rather than blueish grays, which feel sterile, try warm grays or even griege to make your home feel fresh without making things feel too stark. Gray color schemes can be accented with gold or oil-rubbed bronze finishes.

Brick Accent Walls

If ship lap isn’t your thing, consider introducing brick into your space. There are lots of ways to get a brick look without hiring a mason. There are brick-patterned panels available at most home improvement stores that you can attach to the wall, like plywood. Or you can do brick veneers or even brick wallpaper (as shown above). My favorite brick accents are whitewashed brick and the German smear look, which involves smearing mortar on brick to give the brick a distressed feel.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is a surefire way to spruce up any space. It had a bad rep, but now it’s way easier to shop for, hang, and remove than the wallpaper of the ‘80s. Buy removable wallpaper (or paint) to change a room instantly. It’s also great for rooms that are transitional. For instance, your bright, vibrant playroom might later turn into a neutral homework room.

Tufted Velvet

Nothing feels more luxurious than tufted velvet. It immediately makes any space more chic, inviting, and rich. Use it on a variety of surfaces – headboards, couches, chairs, or even accent pillows – if you want to “try it on” before splurging on a bigger piece. I especially like it on headboards (shown above) and the backs of bar stools because the vertical orientation makes the fabric easier to keep clean.

Waterfall Counters

A big trend in kitchens right now is waterfall counter tops. With this high-end detail, the counter top is extended vertically down to the floor, creating a waterfall effect. It requires extra counter top material – and costs more than a top-only counter top – but creates a very chic and tailored look that’s great in bathrooms, kitchens, and even laundry rooms. The best materials for this feature are stone, butcher block, or concrete.

Light Ash Floors

Ten years ago, floors were solidly in the dark, rich brown camp, but that’s changing. More homes are seeing lighter floors with less yellow or orange undertones and they look SO GOOD. The best part is you can achieve this look on your existing hardwoods with the right stain. If your dream house has hardwoods that don’t match your dreams of ashy floors, contact a floor refinishing company to see what they can do.

Live-Edge Tables

What is a live-edge table? It’s a table with its original edge details; it hasn’t been squared off, so it has wavy edges and cracks and provides a unique look. Some wood artisans can recreate a live-edge look even if it isn’t legit. But picking out your wood slab before having your table crafted can ensure that your carpenter is making a true live-edge table for you. This small detail works really well with industrial decor as well as rustic styles.

Black Trimwork

White and wood trim aren’t going anywhere, but black trim on windows, doors, and ceilings is making a big splash in the design world. It’s a very high-contrast look that gives a strong presence to woodwork, which normally plays second fiddle. If you have a space that needs a little boost and you aren’t afraid of contrast, this might be the inexpensive upgrade for you. I think it looks amazing with lots of windows and doors (as shown above) and makes spaces really pop.

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