As a home stager, I like to stay current so I can best advise clients on home improvement projects to net them the most return on their investment when they sell their house.
At a recent San Francisco Bay Area home staging conference, Christine Rae, the author of Home Staging for Dummies, talked about trends in kitchens, baths and flooring. I'd like to share them with you!
KITCHEN TRENDS
- Multi-layered finishes. For example, lower cabinets having a different finish (color) from the upper cabinets, or an island with a different finish from the other cabinets
- Bar-height table for casual dining
- A "Keeping Room" off the kitchen. This is a space to entertain; a bay with seating so guests can be close to the chef but not in the way
- Hardwood tiles
- Natural finishes
- Mirrors and chandeliers
- In general, think 'ultra deluxe.' Candles and bubbles are no longer enough
- Warming drawers
- Heated floors
- Mini fridges
- Cappuccino makers
- Fireplaces
- Steam showers
- Plasma TVs
- High-end area rugs
- Upholstered chaise
- Separate toilet enclosures
- Roomy showers (5-feet wide so a bath tub could be installed later)
- Solid wood cabinets, vessel sinks
- Natural stone, lots of glass, nice lighting
- Ceramic, tumbled marble, travertine, slate and matte porcelain. These have been trends for awhile, but now there are new tile shapes
- Deep texture, rugged, worn-looking tiles
- Tiles set on the diagonal
- Floor tiles size 24"x24" with thin grout lines
- Fewer flooring transitions
- 5-inch wide wood planks
- Carpet with neutral colors, geometric patterns
- Bamboo flooring
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