WHAT'S HOT/NOT IN HOMES THIS YEAR

by Roberta Murphy

The grumbles and raves are accumulating for home embellishments.

What’s in and what’s out for home building and home improvements?

What are today’s pickier homebuyers seeking?

What are Realtors and decorators and savvy home re modelers suggesting to their clients?

WHATS IN:
Natural flooring: Think (certain) woods, stone and removable coverings (area rugs).
Elevated water faucets. It’s the way we cook and live.
Deeper earth tints and hues throughout.
Water elements/fountains in the north and southeast sections of the home (nod to compass Feng Shui).
Climate-appropriate garden plantings.
Wine cellars.

WHATS OUT:
Stainless steel appliances are high maintenance.
Bamboo flooring: Much promise, poor wear-ability.
Staircases that face front door: Bad Feng Shui.
Wood laminate flooring of all sorts: Too clicky.
Wall-to-wall carpeting throughout the home.
Wet bars.

Care to add to these lists?

I find more and more buyers welcoming clean surfaces that are easily relieved of dust and dirt. They want floors that can be thoroughly cleaned, sinks that can accommodate both mop buckets and pasta pots, and area rugs that can be sent out for cleaning.

Wine storage is in; wet bars are out. Homeowners have tried bamboo flooring and found that it warps and lacks in wear-ability. The ubiquitous stainless appliances? Fingerprints and smears are a nightmare. These finishes are NOT meant for real cooks and families!

Moreover, more and more people are discovering allergies to dust mites. They wish to avoid all conditions that invite their habitation and reproduction. Dusty draperies and musty carpeting are quickly losing favor with many buyers.

Finally, it only makes ecological sen$e to utilize native plantings that thrive in native conditions. Our San Diego gardens bloom best with plantings that require little water and lots of sunshine. New Orleans, Houston or Dayton, Ohio would naturally offer different blooming conditions.