Every few years or so, the home renovations industry sees new fads come in and old ones fade away. Remember the Great Rooms of the late eighties and early nineties? It seems like everyone who was anyone was adding a cavernous monstrosity of excess off the back of the house. The focus was on size for sure. High ceilings, large walls of windows, open floor space, and lighting and furniture to make the room look even bigger than it was! In the nineties kitchen and bathroom renovations followed suit to some extent. If remodelling was in your plans back then, it had to be big and expensive.
At the start of 2009 however, the newest home renovation fads are moving in the opposite direction. With the current economic climate people are realizing that there are more important ways to spend their hard earned money. Experts forecast that people will be traveling less, entertaining at home more, and less likely to upgrade to a newer home this year. That means home renovations will probably focus on making the house you have more cozy and comfortable without breaking the bank.
One of the up-and-coming trends is not something entirely new. Instead, it’s a re-work of a fad from the seventies: finished basements. Except this time, instead of making the basement a dark and dreary, wood-paneled dungeon, the goal is to make it bright, warm, and welcoming. A finished basement makes a wonderful place for a gathering of friends on a Friday night. With a pool table, a couch or two, and some well placed lighting, it can be a warm and friendly space. If you prefer to keep the entertainment on the first floor, the basement can become the family room, leaving space open upstairs for a formal dining or entertainment room.
Experts expect home renovation fads in the coming year to involve furniture and fixtures as well. Most of us have an older recliner in the living room that’s still functionally healthy but with worn out upholstery. In years past that chair would take a trip to the curb. The trend for 2009 will more likely lean toward reviving the furniture with new upholstery, using the latest fabrics. Wood furniture could make a strong comeback as well. Not that it ever went out completely, most people are still using wood for kitchen cabinets and such, but we’ve been covering our wood with paint and laminate for a while. Stripping and refinishing the wood with lighter, more subtle finishes gives them a new look without a huge expense.
As far as color choices go, this year’s home renovation fads seem to point to purple. Purple was the hot color on the fashion scene last fall, and those in the business believe it will be the color of choice for the home of 2009. The greens that have been so popular with the environmentally conscience generation are beginning to fade in favour of lighter blues and grays, especially in the kitchen and dining room. Design experts say they are recommending their clients use a variety of colors throughout the different rooms of the house. One way to really brighten up a home is to resist the urge to carry one or two colors throughout. Instead, make each individual room a canvas all on its own.
It looks like 2009 should be an interesting year for the family home. Happy renovating!
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