home styles
Old world styles are popular. French, English, Tuscan, and Spanish homes with stone or stucco walls, tile roofs, iron fixtures, heavy beams, and rustic floors are in demand. A sense of historical connection resonates with today’s shoppers.
The Craftsman style, built in the early 1900s, is back. Features of this style, such as pavers, deep eaves, tapered columns, and wide molding, favor the handcrafted look over mass production.
Farms and country houses are perfect candidates for remodeling and prototypes of new houses. Native materials, wooden windows, simple floor plans, and warm colors connect with nature and times gone by.
The retro look is in fashion. Ranch styles and split levels built in the 1950s are perfect for chic remodels and match trendy furniture styles.
Modern urban is everywhere. Modern open plans make use of color, tile, glass, and experimental materials like plastic and metal.
Low level
Preferred ceiling height is 9′-11′. Two-story ceilings are ruled out. In small rooms they feel like towers.
Many floor level changes are not desirable.
Most buyers today want four bedrooms and at least two living rooms. Formal dining rooms are still in demand.
Formal living rooms are often converted into studies, libraries, or guest rooms.
Media rooms are a sought after feature when the price range allows.
The visual and spatial connection between the kitchen and the family room is firmly established.
Cabinet space is required for large TVs and wall space for newer flat screens.
Three-car garages are needed, especially in areas without foundations.
Structured cabling is important today for Internet, phone, cable, and sound. Desk space for computers is required.
Good access to the outdoors is something buyers look for. French doors combine access with light. Sliding glass doors are not as favored.
A lot of storage space is needed for today’s lifestyle. People have many things. Huge master closets, pantry, laundry rooms and additional storage closets are expected.
On the other hand, very sober lofts are perfect for some lifestyles. Streamlined spaces are an antidote to today’s complex lifestyle.
Kitchens/Baths
Most buyers know kitchen design and appreciate good workspaces with easy access to the stove, refrigerator, and sink. Plenty of counter space, deep drawers, two sinks, a nearby extra refrigerator, and butler’s pantries are all desirable features.
Stainless steel appliances are going strong. In modern urban styles, white or colored appliances return. High-end homes hide some appliances like cabinets.
Eat-in kitchens are a basic requirement for most buyers.
Old tables or cabinets are being renovated and used as bathroom cabinets. Kitchen cabinets that look like furniture are a great look.
Granite, marble, or stone countertops are popular. However, the granite tops added to the 1980’s cabinetry don’t work well. Consider your architectural style before adding features.
Concrete countertops are perfect for the ultra-modern, but most buyers shy away from them.
Wide, cabinet-depth refrigerators have a built-in look and are not as expensive as the true built-in type.
Large rustic tile, stone, concrete, or hardwood floors have a warm, functional appeal.
Subway tiles (3″ x 6″) are popular in bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes.
Patterned cultured marble and laminate are ruled out. The white and slippery tiles are discarded.
Cut
Wide baseboards (6″+) and door and window trim (4″+) are key features in old European and American styles.
Craftsman-style doors (simple square frames with flat panels) work well with both vintage and modern styles.
Iron or solid wood front doors make a strong statement that buyers love.
Rustic hardware finishes such as brushed nickel, oil rubbed bronze, antique brass, and other non-gloss finishes are popular choices.
Rustic wood beams or wood-covered ceilings create a primitive, handcrafted look that buyers love.
Wrought iron gates, stair railings, and light fixtures complement the rustic style.
Stair rails in ultra-modern homes can be made of wire, pipe, or painted metal.
Front porches and covered patios are always a strong selling point. Outdoor fireplaces are popping up everywhere.
Floors and Walls
Distressed hardwood floors that look old are appreciated. Simple wooden boards with exposed cracks are sometimes laid. Reclaimed wood is highly desirable.
Bamboo flooring is popular, especially in modern style homes where light colored flooring is desired.
Concrete floors, often stained and scratched, are popular. These go well with the modern look, and are also used in Craftsman and European rustic styles.
Colored laminate floors go well with mid-century modern style. Laminate flooring that looks like wood is out. Parquet flooring is out of the question, unless it’s done by hand.
Framed or hanging mirrors are preferred, although flat glass works in ultra-modern styles. Mirrors used on walls or ceilings are a turn off.
Colors are in, but soft is the word. Soft greens, yellows, earth tones, and creams create a serene background that suits many styles. Complex colors are sought, with more colors in the mix. Deeply saturated colors such as plums and reds are used sparingly.
Flat paint on walls hides flaws and creates a designer look. Brilliant is out. Soft whites are safe to trim.
Fake finishes are out. These often don’t turn out as well as expected and are difficult to maintain.
The same (or similar) wall color across adjoining spaces creates a feeling of greater spaciousness.
Historic paint colors like sage greens, beiges, muted yellows, and grays work well on the exterior. Bold or harsh colors are a turn off for most buyers.
Wallpaper is problematic and more difficult to change than paint. Very often it does not suit the buyer’s taste.
Highly textured walls and popcorn ceilings are totally out.
Lighting and plumbing fixtures
Buyers want more windows, natural light and a greater connection to the outdoors.
People today are more demanding with the quality of light. Windows on two sides of the room balance lighting and reduce glare.
A light in the middle of the room will not do. Under cabinet lighting is appreciated. Security lighting is important. Wall sconces offer soft ambient lighting. Recessed cans provide light in the area. Dimmers help control lighting.
The lights are a decorative element in all styles. Clean, modern accessories like pendant lights, recessed cans, and wire string lights complement the urban look.
Retro accessories are interesting decorative features in the 1930s Craftsman and 1950s Ranch styles.
Industrial metal accessories are in fashion. The industrial look without metal or stainless steel decoration is on trend.
Heavy curtains are ruled out. They are too pretentious and, well, heavy. Light cotton, linen or silk curtains are in fashion. Or wooden shutters. Or nothing.
Retro woven wood shutters have made a comeback. The mini blinds are very yesterday.
Bathroom accessories are finished in rustic bronze, nickel or chrome. Old-style two-handle faucets and farmhouse sinks are all the rage.
Bathroom sinks can be glass, granite, stone, stainless steel or traditional porcelain bowls. Cultured marble is out.
Freestanding bathtubs are in fashion. Pedestal and suspended sinks are in fashion.
Energy efficiency
With fuel costs rising, energy efficiency is definitely in. Buyers want high-efficiency air conditioning, good insulation, low-E glass, programmable thermostats, double-pane windows, and ceiling fans.
Effective passive solar orientation is a great advantage. Shows smart planning and use
of natural solar energy.
Instant hot water is a perk buyers like, as are drinking water filters.
No one wants window film or cling film.
Light is in demand. Don’t close the blinds. Remove sunscreens when they are not needed, such as under patio roofs, porches, or shade trees.
Sheltered porches are back. They create a multi-use space that is both indoors and outdoors, and keep mosquitoes away.
