Remodel or Build?

So many decisions...so many options...how will we ever decide? When you are looking at the newest colors, styles, elements, and choices, it really does matter. You will be looking at those choices for a while.

The most cost-effective remodels in a home will always be the kitchen and bathrooms. Those are the ones that add immediate value to your home, if the updates are the right ones. Several years ago, stainless was all the rage in the appliance field, now matte black has seriously come back, along with lots of wifi in the kitchen. Did you know that there is an espresso machine you can literally set from your phone in bed to make your coffee? The ones we found started at $74.99 and had wifi built in, amazing things to have! Fridges have wifi, ovens have wifi, everything can work at the touch of your fingers, and the command of your phone. With thermal imaging microwaves that allow you to visualize the cooking process, or a wifi oven that you can control the timer, the temperature, and get an alert if the kids left the oven on, the new improvements on appliances are staggering.

Colors are popping as much as the innovation in the kitchen. Gone are the solid white kitchens, again, instead, some designers are using vibrant colors for kitchen cabinets, but don’t confuse color changes with style. Those intensely colored cabinets are sleek, with fewer knobs, and add a few open shelves in the kitchen as an additional trendy fix.

If your style lends itself more to the traditional, then don’t be discouraged. Traditional and vintage elements are also being used. The naturals, wood, stone and guess who’s back in colors - hunter green all add to the traditional home. Green has made a huge entry this year, both in the fashion world and in the paint palette. It’s amazing how well fashion and home trends follow each other. But it has a foundation - at one time, when we were stay-at-home moms, it was important for the home to reflect colors that made us beautiful. I can remember my mom telling me as a little girl, that pink light made your face prettier, so it was acceptable to use light bulbs that had a slightly rosy hue. We’ve been making decisions on clothing to make us look good, so it’s not much of a leap to take those same choices and apply them to our homes. This year, hunter green in our homes showcases warmth, coziness and is especially beautiful when paired with walnut and leather accents, including drawer pulls on furniture.

Pendant lighting is something else that is becoming, even more, a standout. It is becoming the sculptural jewelry in the home. Lighting not only sets the mood for your home, but it also sets the mood for you. Natural light fills a home with light, but not everyone has that option. When you have to set the lighting mood, make it fun. Lighting is something that can be changed out, it immediately gives you a different perspective and the newest trends can totally change your home’s appearance.

Above all, make sure the changes you make fit your style, your budget may dictate what you do, but styles dictate the way people see your home, which is a reflection of you!