Do you feel like your home could use an update? Whether you’re annoyed with your appliances causing your power bills to soar or you’re tired of looking at outdated pastel walls, 2018 has brought a few renovation trends that will bring your house into this decade and beyond. Here are the 6 most popular trends of this year.
1. Universal Design
Universal design, also known as “aging in place” design, makes it possible for people to stay in their homes well into their golden years. In a home with universal design, you’ll see things like wheelchair-accessible open showers instead of bathtubs. There are often also contrasting colours for easy visual navigation and open concept spaces for ease of movement.
2. Eco-Friendly Materials
In 2018, homeowners are looking for more than a simple energy efficiency sticker. They’re concerned about the sustainability of product development, the life cycle of products, and how they affect air quality in their home.
One of the biggest changes happening this year is in flooring options. Bamboo is becoming increasingly popular because it grows quickly and doesn’t require as much land to grow as other hardwoods do. This makes it a more sustainable option. Cork is another eco-friendly option gaining momentum, and is great for sound absorption.
Water consumption is also important if you plan to create a green living space. Homeowners are replacing their water-guzzling toilets and showers with low-flow options. They’re also planting native species of flowers and trees that are already climatized and therefore don’t require as much external water or pesticides to grow.
Additionally, we’re seeing more people upgrading their windows to eliminate air leaks; reducing heating and cooling costs. There is also an increased demand for plant-based paints with no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to minimize indoor air pollution.
3. Luxury Basements
Basements are no longer the damp, cold storage spaces for forgotten household items. The basement has now become a luxurious getaway for homeowners. We’re seeing more requests to renovate basements to be an additional entertainment space, home gym or music room. Adding an in-law suite is also very popular to accommodate aging parents or multi-generational families.
4. The Connected Home
2018 has become the year of making technology a staple in any home renovation. The goal of new tech, is to streamline your life.
New tech will also save you time and money. Here are a few of the most popular options:
- Install USB plugins in the kitchen to charge your phone as you look up recipes or browse the internet while cooking.
- Get a doorbell equipped with a camera. You’ll save plenty of time not answering the door for solicitors!
- Install programmable lighting and thermostats. Both allow you to save on utility bills while giving you one less thing to worry about every day.
5. Colour
Painting isn’t exactly a major renovation, but it has turned into one of the hottest home renovations of 2018. Homeowners are turning away from neutrals like whites, greys and beiges. Now, they’re painting their walls and cabinets bold statement colours that stand out.
Just look at any paint company’s most popular colour of the year. Benjamin Moore’s colour, Caliente, is a rich red that is sure to make a statement. Dulux’s paint colour of 2018 is the deep hue Black Elegant. Valspar’s is the bold Deep Indigo. It seems that the trend of clean interiors is taking a backseat to a colourful, personalized, and homey feel.
6. A Natural Touch
Like in fashion, the 90’s seems to be making a resurgence when it comes to home renovations. Wooden cabinets are back, but homeowners are most interested in reclaimed wood, or wood with a less polished or finished feel. This is different than what was seen over 25 years ago. You’ll also see the more rustic wood look in furniture, cabinets, and wood ceilings.
Are you looking to update your home with one of 2018’s hottest renovation trends? Schedule a conversation with us today!
Your home is likely the biggest investment you’ll ever make and if you’re looking to sell, you will want that investment to pay off. Luckily, there are many renovations that will boost your home’s value and appeal to potential buyers. To ensure you get the most bang for your buck, here are five renovations that almost entirely pay for themselves in resale value.
1. Replace your garage door
Replacing your garage door is the best renovation for overall return on investment. You’ll not only recoup up to 98% of the cost, but it’ll greatly increase your home’s curbside appeal. Be sure to choose a garage door that can withstand Hamilton’s varying temperatures and weather conditions to get the most out of your investment.
2. Fix your flooring
Flooring makes a big impact, and can be a make-or-break for many potential buyers. Take a look at your carpet – is it stained or frayed? If you have hardwood, is it scratched from years of pets roaming around? Also check if any tiles are cracked or if any linoleum is peeling. Regardless of whether it’s true or not, the buyer is likely to assume your house hasn’t been well maintained if the flooring is in rough shape.
When it comes to flooring, hardwood proves to be the best return on investment adding up to 2.5% on to your home’s sale price, but it can be pricey to add to every room in the house. If you’re looking for a less costly solution to appeal to buyers, opt for hardwood in public areas like the living room and hallways, and install new carpet in the bedrooms.
3. Give your kitchen a makeover
Many buyers still consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home, and therefore the most important room in the house. So it’s no surprise that giving your kitchen a makeover will appeal to potential buyers.
You don’t have to completely gut your kitchen to increase your home’s value. In fact, high end kitchen remodels have a lower return on investment than mid-range remodels. This is because it’s easier to recoup the cost of lower ticket items like appliances and an updated backsplash than it is for custom cabinetry. Also, neutral paint colours have been shown to be the most appealing when selling your home.
4. Upgrade the bathroom
Home buyers are typically looking for clean and modern bathrooms. The cheapest upgrade options are lighting fixtures and sink hardware. Though, if your bathrooms haven’t been renovated in over 20 years, it may be time for a more extensive remodel like a new bathroom vanity, sink and tub.
If you have multiple baths and are looking to prioritize what you renovate, master baths and powder rooms are the best places to start since the homeowners will be primarily using the former, and guests will be using the latter. Secondary baths like those found in the basement, hold less weight to buyers. And as with kitchens, buyers have been shown to overwhelmingly prefer neutral paint colours.
5. Don’t forget the outside of your house!
Buyers often make their decision whether or not they’ll buy before they even enter your house, so make sure to consider how the exterior of your home looks. For your front yard, there are a number of cheap and easy options to boost curb appeal, like keeping the grass cut, adding a few colourful flowers and trimming overgrown bushes. If your siding is still in good shape, consider adding a fresh coat of paint.
In your backyard, low maintenance gardens and a tree or two can go a long way – buyers value having privacy and some shade. In fact, mature trees can add up to 20% on the sale price of the home.
Are you ready to start renovating your house to attract buyers and boost your home sale price? Schedule a conversation with us today!
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