In the most important rooms of the house, designs that incorporate the latest trends will surely grab by the buyers’ attention. The two rooms that consistently made the biggest impression on buyers are without a doubt kitchens and bathrooms. Even in today's uncertain economic times of the Charlotte NC Real Estate market, homeowners and buyers are willing to spend on upgrades to these two essential rooms. Their goal: create that polished high-end look that we've seen in magazines and on TV especially in foreclosures. We are seeing more of a save and splurge mentality in kitchen and bath remodels, says Lynda Eggers, Editor of Kitchen and Bath Ideas Magazine. Homeowners may give up the granite countertops to get the island or vice versa, but they still want a certain look. The growing importance of the kitchen is a living space, not just as a cooking and eating space, has added a desire for quality, she says. We spoke with her and a host of other industry experts, designers, manufacturers, and stagers to give you a preview of what's hot today and what will be hot tomorrow. With this knowledge, you can help sellers spruce up their kitchens and bathrooms to increase the likelihood of a sale. On the buyer’s side, knowing the new styles and how to incorporate them into a dated room will open buyer’s eyes to the possibilities. In good housing markets and bad, a cheerful kitchen will get buyers past a multitude of other issues, which may explain why white is still the kitchen color of choice for many, according to Eggerss. Plus, it's classic and always looks good, she says. In California's wine country, designer Jan Kepler principle of Kepler Design Group in San Luis, California, also favors white. Beach houses along the central coast are often done in fresh white shaker style cabinets and white soapstone or marble countertops. On the other side of the foothills, in wine country homeowners tend to prefer a more rustic look with soft glazed creamy whites, cherry and recycled copper accents, and antique granite countertops, she says. For instance, many designers prefer strong saturated colors as well as warm grays. A little bit of shimmer also is a good thing. Copper metallics and glass tiles in a rainbow of hues are a perfect way to add that pop of color in a kitchen, says Kathleen Garvey of Enhanced Interior and Home Staging in Fort Myers Florida. Interestingly one place that bright colors are popular is the laundry room says Mark Roth industry design leader for Cheap Appliances of Louisville Kentucky. Maybe it's because the laundry is a work area where people need a lift or maybe it's because you can shut the door and not see the color all of the time he says. Lighting, natural and man-made is huge in kitchens and even more essential in bathrooms says Christina Trautwein Editor-In-Chief of K+BB Magazine. Baths, she says, are notorious for bad lighting. Ideally, bathroom lighting should come from both above and the side to prevent shadows. In kitchens and baths, manufacturers and designers are incorporating energy efficient LED lighting under countertops around the glass doors and in cabinet shelving for illumination and ambiance, especially at night says David Acker of Kitchen by Design in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Another easy and dramatic way to add extra illumination: Place inexpensive fixtures above cabinets that don't reach all the way to the ceiling suggest Barry Tuttle, manager of Absolute Kitchen and Bath in Surry, Maine. Therapy lighting lets painters use different colors of light to set the mood or aim beyond spare energy, says Trautwein.
Storage below, are, lets face it, no matter how big the kitchen basket, there's always a need for more storage space. In the kitchen, walking cane trees and amenities equal buyers delivered. If a homeowner can still form a neighboring laundry room or eating area, a big pantry is a sure way to wow buyers, says Julie Lochner, President of Kitchens by Julie and Kerry Illinois. Kitchen islands are also turning into store centers as they grow in space and take on more irregular shapes. Built-in wine racks, undercounter refrigerator drawers, and appliance storage all add to the island versatility system load. And bathrooms, it's all about built-ins and de-cluttering. A tech geek and good stager would tell you to increase his buyer appeal, collector goal outlets, inside doors keep electric shaver's out of sight and wall-mounted phosphates with single layer controls take up less visual space, says Lynch Marketing Manager: Homestore in Chicago. And if you thought refrigerators were just for kitchens think again. Refrigerated drawers and cabinets in the bathroom can take cosmetics, medicines, and even orange juice for a quick morning treat.
Warming drawers are equally as popular keeping pace without the bulk of the Power Mac, says Troutwien. Just as kitchens are becoming more living space, patterns are expanding their role. Some bathrooms now, contain exercise equipment, reading nooks, fireplaces, multiple TVs, says Liberal Campus Manager of Public Relations for Future Manufacturing USA. Perhaps the hottest trend in kitchens and baths has moved toward sustainable products. But while more people are asking designers about going green, they are willing to stick their necks in her pocket books only so far as staging at Association's national competition. Masterstroke of great products, as certainly green helmets will become more widespread. This is especially true of sustainable woods used for countertops. Fast-growing bamboo is the material of choice for cabinets and floors, but those who favor a more traditional look have started to explore eucalyptus. Eucalyptus trees can be harvested in 10 years and can take a darker stain for kitchen islands and custom touches. Most of my clients are green peers but, they are excited about adding green features like sustainable wood and recycled copper to their kitchens, says Kepler. Water saving features are a prime way that kitchens and baths are going green and is a way homeowners today will opt for green products as long as they are well designed. Campus plunging fixture and manufactures are now exploring options to let consumers preset and easily alter the water volume and temperature in the shower to set the task at hand or water for washing hair, for example. Another environmentally friendly option that saves trees in any place as a toilet seat that uses water and air jets for hands-free personal cleanup.
