Now that we’ve firmly snuggled into the new year, let’s look at one designer’s home trend predictions for 2019…mine! Let’s peek beyond decor and trending colours and check out the concept of home, because it’s changing fast!
When we examine how we really live today and how we use space we can see how home trends will change. Our changing lifestyle will affect everything from structure of the house, to how rooms are laid out.
Do You Use, or Need a Dining Room?
Multi-purpose rooms are practical and ensure you’re using all your square footage.
For instance, a separate dining room may not fit every lifestyle. Taking food to another room designed just for eating isn’t as desirable for some as having a multi-purpose space. Some use it for tutoring children, or a music room, others have installed a library wall. We’re not afraid to reconfigure a room if we can make it more functional.
What Going into the Kitchen? What’s Leaving?
The dining room table is moving into the kitchen.
At the same time, kitchens are getting bigger, becoming the central focus in the house. We’re investing in renovations and redesigns to create high-functioning, beautifully designed kitchens to make them more inviting, less utile than the past. Now that big dining room table is moving into the kitchen, not just next to it.
With that said, appliances are moving out of the kitchen! We are seeing wine fridges, induction hotplates, dishwashers and coffee bars moving into other rooms. This includes bedrooms and basements where you can prep snacks, enjoy your morning coffee or a glass of wine without running to the kitchen.
Technology Rules the Household.
Wireless technology is changing how we view, listen and communicate at home. Computers and TV’s are everywhere! Smart devices help us use power more efficiently and technology is being built into our furniture and appliances, etc. Low wattage lighting, or LED with CRI (Colour Rendering Index) offers much truer lighting. It’s an energy efficient update, replacing the cold fluorescent look of some bulbs. Our smartphones are tools to set all our technology at home, remotely.
Sink Into the New Depth of Furniture.
Deep sofas for lounging are replacing formal seating.
Formal living rooms that go unused are a waste of square footage and money. People are repurposing rooms to suit today’s more casual style. Even the sofa has changed. No one sits with both feet on the floor anymore. Sofas are deeper, designed for relaxation, lounging (just try getting both feet on the floor!).
Look up to Spot a Great Trend.
This ceiling is made with plaster-coated moulding to accommodate the unusual roof line.
Ceilings are getting more interesting, especially with open concept homes. Beyond crown molding, we are seeing more detailed planes, like added bulkheads that help delineate areas. Waffle designs, hipped roof shapes and valleys in geometrically intricate designs distinguish cookie cutter houses, adding interest and personality to your home. Plaster-coated, laser cut styrofoam from Mouldex Moulding is replacing plaster moulding, giving us much greater flexibility and design opportunities.
Manufacturers Are Dictating Tomorrow’s Trends.
This flooring is luxury, vinyl flooring. It looks like high-end wood flooring and its perfect for a basement.
Manufacturers, like Karndean are making more durable, photographically real products in high-quality laminate and vinyl. Real wood flooring, like Canadian pre-finished hardwood flooring from Vintage Flooring, continues to be a great choice and investment for the home.
We Can See the Future, Clearly.
A Nana wall brings the outdoors in.
We crave access to the outdoors so glassed-in sunrooms, screened-in porches and balconies or loggias that invite seating and cooking outdoors will grow in popularity. Outdoor kitchens are here to stay. Nana Wall Systems aren’t just for California climate, they give us uncompromising backyard views and access year-round, anywhere.
Generally, today’s housing trend is to live in what suits our lifestyle. Why invest in the extra square footage if it doesn’t work for you? If it’s not big enough, or flexible enough, think about a renovation. Improving what we have for the long term is right on trend today. For more information on renovation, contact Jane Lockhart Design!
