Lifestyle
What home design trends will reign in 2014?
Photo: Facebook Page of Home & Design Trends
What’s hot and what’s not in terms of home design trends in 2014?
Home design trends tend to move slowly—but it consistently injects a bit of all these things: technology, functionality and flair.
So, whether you plan to build your first home or upgrade its look, the following will surely help bring out your primal nesting instincts and bring the most out of your cocoon/sanctuary.
- Paint it Black.
According to a poll conducted by Houzz, 74 percent of homeowners prefer black for their bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens (with crisp white fixtures), interior doors and exterior siding. It modernizes the home and lets the accents pop up; in the bedroom, black is also great for mimicking the night and turns on our internal snooze buttons..
- Open Floor Plans.
In her article published on New Homes & Ideas, Rebecca R. Newsome said that open floor plans continue to reign in the recent years. Why not? With open floor plans, families can interact better and there’s an increased capacity for natural light to flow throughout the space. Sans wall barriers, rooms now have the ability to be bigger, or smaller, as occasions command.
- Touch, Texture and Tangibles.
For some home design trends experts, touch is the biggest sense to focus on in 2014. “Fabrics and finishes should invite touch, with textures and tangibles warm and alluring,” they said.
Order out of turmoil, search for purity, respect for nature, and enhanced appreciation for sustainability in residential design are said to be the inspiration behind this trend. In order to provide a simple, natural aesthetic design, it is a must to look for and use untreated materials as well as recycled and reclaimed materials in interior design.
- Metal Backsplashes.
According to the Houzz Kitchen Remodeling Survey, although tile continues to be the most popular backsplash material, metal tiles and other sheet materials (including stainless steel, glass, and stone slab) are preferred because they are sleek and easy to clean.
- Classic as opposed to Industrial.
More curves, rounded corners, fewer sharp lines, and graceful yet simple cove moldings will be in style this 2014, according to Pam Craig and Debby Gist, designers at Homes by Dickerson.
- “Smart Home” options.
The use of smartphones to control a number of independent high-tech systems throughout the home is also trending in 2014. Imagine having the ability to control lighting, locks, and appliances with just a smartphone!
- Live-edge wood.
A survey revealed that most homeowners skip the paint and opt for natural beauty. Thus, butcher block was the third most popular choice for counters, and hardwood was most popular for flooring.
8. Green Products.
Energy efficiency, sustainability and healthy homes—green products have become “more of a standard than a perk in today’s homes.” Imagine interior green plants, green walls, and garden rooftops and you have improved indoor air quality, lower heating and cooling bills and increased comfort. Experts believe that these trends will continue throughout 2014.
9. Multigenerational and Universal Layouts.
Grandparents staying in the home of their adult children is becoming a popular arrangement nowadays. As a result, home designers also include the creation of second master suites, mini kitchens, and elevators in their designs.
10. Open Concept Kitchen.
The kitchen is no longer a disconnected room, tucked away at the back of a home. According to John Petrie, the 2014 president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, “Walls are going to continue to come down,” he said. The American Society of Interior Designers agreed with Petrie. “Lately we’ve seen a focus on entertaining from our clients. They are looking for spaces that maximize their ability to gather and relax with friends and family.”
They added that appliance designers have also created appliances that can seamlessly blend into the kitchen, and into the family room—producing different finishes and different concepts—hiding the most obvious parts of the kitchen.
11. Bathrooms.
For 2014, home design experts have enumerated popular tile selections for your bathrooms to include recycled glass tile, subway tile, stone tile, tile with lights, pebble tile, and glass tile mosaics with semi precious stone. Pair this with a bold color and your little girls/boys room will be absolutely stunning!
Consider adding a small crystal chandelier for an air of elegance, or a TV, perhaps. To push it further, you can have a fireplace, larger shower heads, high-end urinals and no doors.
12. The Man Space.
It is no longer confined to the basement of a home. Experts noticed that today’s men want their imprint on the rest of the household and they want it set up with a little something for them.
13. Landscaped spaces.
Who has time to mow the lawn, these days? Consider native groundcover plants and landscaped green spaces (including synthetic lawns) instead of traditional lawns.
Want more new home design trends for 2014? Here are some insights from home design bloggers:
Interchangeable Accents
“I think we’ll see a trend towards chameleon decor. Instead of settling on one fixed look, people will opt for a versatile neutral base and use big-impact accents to easily change their decor.” — Arianna Vargas, ariannabelle.com
Ushering in Glamour
“Move over white walls, in 2014 we’ll be seeing rooms with a lot more drama and glamour. Dark, moody walls in black will be the perfect backdrop to the metallic accessories that we’re all loving right now.” — Jeanine Hays, aphrochic.com
Vintage Wonders
“Thanks to social media, the lifespan of a trend has been cut in half. We’re all a little overexposed. I think vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces will be highly sought after. It’s the curiosities that make a house a home and keep your guests asking: “Where did you get that?” — Lindsay Souza, thepursuitofstyle.com
Say Bye to Beige
“Of course I hopefully predict that color will be the trend story every year in hopes of banishing the boring beige box, but this year it really could happen!” — Christian May, maison21.com
Blossoming Prints
“Florals and Chintz: These tried-and-true fabrics are popping up everywhere in fashion and decor. Mix them with other graphic patterns for a modern look.” — Stacey Bewkes, quintessenceblog.com
Metal Mash-Up
“Mixing and matching metallics, such as silver and gold.” — Devon Dyer, devonrachel.com
A Need for Navy
“Navy blue will be a big trend for 2014. I’m seeing a lot of the shade on the runways, on the streets, in editorials, in chic interiors… I actually think everyone will get it in 2014.” — Mark D. Sikes, markdsikes.com
Timeless Design
“A return to tradition. After the long-standing trend of modern and eclectic decor, more people will want to feel comfortable and at ease by returning to traditional styles.” — Erin Gates, elementsofstyleblog.com
Innovative Combinations
“Lots and lots of layering: both materials and textures. We love the look of mixing different metals, woods, and fabrics!” — Jennifer Beek and Georgie Hambright, jandgdesign.com
A Bevy of Blues
“From rich, saturated colors like navy and indigo to bright, vibrant shades like peacock blue and cobalt, blue will continue to reign supreme in the coming year.” — Paloma Contreras, ladolcevitablog.com
A Softer Black and White
“Black and white is a classic home decor palette, but for 2014 I see it softening and feeling more cozy. In the cooler months think Scandinavian chic, while in the summer months think French striped shirts.” — Joanna Hawley, jojotastic.com
