Design Trends in the Remodeling Industry

July 2, 2009 - PRLog -- Catherine Trugman: Design Trends in the Remodeling Industry

Catherine Trugman (ASID, CKD, CBD, LEED® AP) brings 15 years experience to her work as the MOSAIC Group's interior designer and kitchen and bath designer. MOSAIC is a design/build firm in Atlanta, Ga., with Indoor and Outdoor Living Divisions.

Q: What effect has the sluggish economy had on your remodeling clients?

A: People want value. While they don't want to give up the functionality of their project, they're less likely to splurge on the luxury items they invested in three or four years ago. Their over-riding concerns are life-cycle costs and function.

This trend cuts across all age groups. Clients will not invest an unreasonable amount of money if they can't recoup it when they sell their home. That focus has been around longer in other parts of the country than Atlanta.

Q: Are people "going green"?

A: Lots of people ask about the "green" aspect. They want to save energy and, in doing so, save money. Upgrading the windows throughout a house will get you a fairly quick return on investment. Projects like that help boost your home's resale value. We don't see as much interest in things like solar panels.

Linoleum--not the sheet vinyl type--is gaining popularity because it's a natural product made from linseed oil. There's no off gassing. It's available in planks, individual tiles and a variety of patterns.

Q: Which trends do you expect to continue?

A: People aren't going to put a lot of time and effort into projects that don't generate a return in value. Vibrant paint colors were more popular a few years back. Now homeowners select classically inspired colors so they don't have to re-paint every year or two.

Today's wall coverings are usually sold in design centers that are only open to the trade. They're high-end, hand-painted or have some kind of specialty texture.

Tile backsplashes in the kitchen are popular because you can make a dramatic statement without having to tile an entire wall. Handmade tiles and interesting patterns are hot!
Many people choose to carpet areas like the bedroom because it probably feels cozier. It's not uncommon in Atlanta to see hardwoods throughout the whole house. Our projects tend to have traditional floors like oak. In Miami, New York or Los Angeles, you'll see darker colors like walnut, mahogany or even ebony.

Our clients use contemporary ceiling fans to reduce their energy bills. They're requested frequently because there are now more options. We use a lot of traditional lighting fixtures or--what I'll call--modern classic lighting fixtures. It's a look from the 1960s that probably isn't going out of style.

People don't necessarily mean granite when they talk about countertops. They want some type of stone countertop where they could put a hot pan down without damaging the surface. The surface could be quartz, marble or granite. It's really surprising how many different finishes there are--from a honed-look to acid-washed.

Restaurants have had stainless steel appliances for many years. It's a classic look! By using a cabinet-depth refrigerator, you can have a built-in look with less cost. Demand hasn't taken off yet for the bronze type of finish, which could be an alternative to stainless steel.

Since more people are entertaining at home, we get more requests for wine storage. It could be something as simple as a small wine refrigerator or as elaborate as a full-blown wine cellar.

Q: What's the biggest trend in the industry?
The overall trend is efficiency. Every plumbing manufacturer is working to reduce water flow--whether it's through a dual-flush toilet or a low-flow faucet. Beyond that, I'm seeing a lot of new finishes at trade shows. Gold fixtures were popular before, but now we're seeing them in a softer brushed sort of finish.

Sinks? It's no longer a question of do you want one or two basins. People expect a lot of bang for their buck. Many of the sink options have to do with function. They're part of the whole task-centered kitchen.