New Construction Trends for 2019
In this post I'd like to share a few of the new construction and remodeling trends that we are seeing in 2019. Some of these are timeless trends while others such as home automation are taking advantage of new advancements in technology. I've found that all of them offer some interesting ideas to consider when you're thinking about remodeling or building your home.
Smaller Homes
Large homes can be fantastic, especially for growing families. At the same time, smaller, newer homes have benefits too, especially for older homebuyers who are ready to downsize, or first-time homebuyers who are looking for something modern and low maintenance. Perhaps one of the first reasons that buyers turn to smaller homes is that these homes are, on average, less expensive to buy than larger homes. A less expensive home typically means a lower down payment, a lower mortgage, and more financial flexibility. No one wants to spend their free time cleaning, and with a smaller home, the amount of time that you spend dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming etc can be significantly reduced. Smaller homes are easier to keep clean.
Energy Savings
Energy efficiency means you are using less energy to do the same jobs, reducing your home's energy waste and saving money. To effectively increase your energy efficiency involves more than just using less energy - it requires you becoming aware of how energy is used, where it's wasted, and how it can be used more effectively and efficiently in everyday life. You may be surprised at how much energy is wasted in your home. A lot of this waste is hidden in plain sight. For example, the use of smart power strips with your television or cable set top box can significantly reduce energy consumption by turning this appliances off rather than keeping them on stand by. We also have started installing energy efficient light bulbs in virtually all of our new homes and renovation projects. It makes a huge difference in your monthly electric bill.
Open Concept
An open concept kitchen - living room is perfect for small homes but it also looks gorgeous in big spaces when the kitchen is connected with the dining room and the living room. It gives to the space more elegant and sophisticated look.
Tearing down walls to create open floor plans for the living, dining and kitchen area is what open-concept design is all about. For some, separate rooms still hold their charm. But many homeowners today are taking a sledgehammer to their traditional floor plans so they can enjoy cooking, eating and movie watching all in one space.
Wainscoting
For giving rooms instant personality—and protecting surfaces with style—nothing beats wainscoting. Raised panels, which are the most traditional wainscoting style, go back to colonial days. The decorative raise is created by beveling the edges of the panel. Common height is between 30 and 40 inches, but the design can be adapted for higher-ceilinged spaces by adding a center rail to create two rows of panels. The rails, stiles, and panels fit together the same way as in traditional flat-panel assemblies. The bottom rail can double as the baseboard, as it does here, or the baseboard can be built up from several pieces of molding.
White Cabinets
Homeowners are always looking to improve their house’s appearance, feel, comfort, and value. Design trends often steer home improvement decisions. As a center of the house, a kitchen should not only be comfortable and well-organized but welcoming as well. There is one proven way to make a kitchen look and feel more open and welcoming as part of this central hub — white cabinets. White cabinets are a popular choice.
They can make a kitchen look larger and provide a clean foundation. The open and airy look of white or lightly colored cabinets makes a stunning backdrop for other design elements. In this way, a white kitchen is far from boring.
Walk-in Shower
After years of fighting to keep your glass shower door clean, creating a walk-in shower may be a welcome change. A frameless door not only allows more light to enter your bathroom, but it eliminates the need for metal tracks, which have a tendency to collect grime and mildew.
Not every bathroom was originally designed to accommodate an oversized tub, but you can easily customize the design of your walk-in shower to suit your room. The size of your shower can range from a small one-person insert to a luxurious space with multiple shower heads and built-in towel racks, shelving and seating. Based on the amount of privacy you desire, you can opt for a completely wide-open look, or you can add a partial glass or tile wall to enclose your shower space.
The Great Outdoors
In my last post I shared some ideas on how a new patio can be a fantastic outdoor living space. More and more people are taking advantage of their back or side yards to enhance their living space. In case you missed it, check out how Precision Contracting patios are perfect examples of the great outdoors trend.
Textured Interiors
Characterized by its multitude of textures, the contemporary wall is an interior experience unto itself. From concrete to corrugated metal, corkboard to wood blocks, there is truly no limit to the inspirational materials with which to craft your personal paradise. A textured wall creates a mood that the traditional painted and papered wall simply can’t achieve. Whether it’s the funky laid back vibe of a beach shack or edgy upscale lounge, a textured wall can transport your interior to a whole new time and place–specifically one that is entirely your own.
Home Automation
Smart home automation devices make your home more comfortable, more convenient, and more secure than ever. Home Controls offers an enormous variety of home automation products, from complete smart home kits to simple alert systems. Home automation is nothing new, but a recent boom in smart home tech has thrust it straight into the spotlight. Smart home kits, sensors and gadgets have been a dominating presence at the Consumer Electronics Show for the past two years, with big names like Apple, Google, GE and Microsoft right there in the thick of it.
Copper Gutters
If you're looking for a unique finishing touch for your home, copper gutters are a great choice. Copper gutters will make your home stand out and provide you with a custom appearance while still offering the durability and performance you need from your gutters. Copper gutters and downspouts won't ever rust or corrode, providing excellent durability. Copper gutters naturally weather to a blue-green patina, but they can be cleaned to their original color or treated for a different color patina. Copper gutters and downspouts definitely make a statement about craftsmanship and quality. Instead of blending into the roof structure like seamless aluminum gutters, copper gutters stand out, showing off their supports and their unique patina.