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Tag: design trends

  • Wellness-Friendly Laundry-Mud Rooms 2024 Home Trend Prediction

    Wellness-Friendly Laundry-Mud Rooms 2024 Home Trend Prediction

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    The 1930s house I grew up in had its laundry machines in a dark, unwelcoming basement area, two flights down from our bedroom closets. Today’s laundry rooms tend to be brighter, more welcoming, more functional and usually better located! That’s a huge benefit for both young families and older homeowners who may have a hard time lugging loaded laundry baskets up and down stairs. It’s also a huge boost for a home’s functionality, one of the five facets of wellness design.

    Home improvement platform Houzz predicts that enhanced laundry spaces with mud room features will be a strong trend for 2024. I agree. So do the many home improvement pros I surveyed by email and through social media groups.

    Smart Siting

    “Combining a laundry room with a mudroom is a natural step for homes that see a lot of mess at an entry,” observed Mitchell Parker, senior editor for Houzz. “This increasingly popular setup lets homeowners place grimy sports uniforms, muddy winter jackets and sandy beach towels directly into the wash before they track dirt further into the home,” he adds.

    “The popularity of the combined laundry-mudroom trend is no coincidence,” comments San Antonio area custom home builder Tommy Lipe. “By seamlessly merging two rooms with similar material needs, we not only streamline construction but also reduce square footage, simplifying the often hectic nature of our lives.”

    Resilience Imperative

    Resilience is key for Scott Tjaden’s St. Louis area laundry-mud room projects, the designer says. “You use it frequently and that’s where your money should be spent in terms of quality machines, workspace flooring and any sort of paint or wall covering. Paint should be wipeable and of high quality and so should wall covering.”

    Resilience is a criterion for New York-based architect Havard Cooper too. ”I use stainless steel, tile or concrete for sinks and countertops due to their durability and ease of cleaning. The appliances selected are aesthetically pleasing but also robust, energy-efficient, and capable of handling high-volume laundry tasks. To combat moisture, materials like waterproof paints and backsplashes are used to protect walls from water damage,” he adds.

    Tjaden additionally suggests a large curved spigot for the water. “Some people prefer a hose attachment,” he notes, “if the laundry is near a back door, sometimes people will use that for cleaning and repotting.”

    Resilience is mandatory for Central California-based interior designer Wendy Glaister’s agricultural clientele. Their homes are “surrounded by orchards, farms and lots of dirt,” she muses. She also favors durable materials like antimicrobial stainless steel for sinks, especially when you need to use stronger stain removers that might hurt other materials. Glaister specifies vinyl planks and porcelain flooring for resilience and cleanability, she says.

    Pet-Friendly Multi-Tasking

    Flex spaces like combined laundry-mud room areas are ideal for busy households. “Having everything in one spot makes multitasking easier,” Parker comments, that can include chores, hobbies and pets. “Mudrooms can be a convenient spot for a doggie stop, whether they include a space for your pet to dine or a storage area for walk-related items to grab on your way out the door; many homeowners on Houzz also incorporate a pet shower in their mud-laundry room to ensure that muddy paw prints don’t make it into the main house.”

    Ottawa-based cabinetmaker Deborah Gervais is definitely seeing more pet features in her area, including “dedicated washing machines for animal blankets, clothing (for folks who have cattle and/or horses) so they don’t mix with everything else.”

    A ‘slop sink’ can double as a pet washing station for smaller dogs, suggests New York-based remodeling company owner Jean Brownhill. Atlanta-based designer Stephanie Ives likes to see a pet door, litter box space with exhaust fan, and built-in kennels and feeding areas. She also likes to include space for recycling management and robot vacuum charging stations.

    Mud rooms can also be the perfect place in which to store outdoor sports gear, like wall-mounted ski racks, cubbies for hats and helmets, and spots beneath benches for boots and shoes, Parker shares.

    Must-Haves

    If this is a trend you’ve been considering for your own home, there are some elements you’re definitely going to want to include. Parker cites a utility sink with pulldown faucet for easy handwashing and rinsing muddy gear. Hooks, sorting space, cabinets for supplies and storage is also a boon for these utility spaces.

    Las Vegas-based interior designer Patricia Gaylor incorporates a bench in drop zone areas located close to a home’s family entrance. “Built in low seating with open cubbies to remove shoes before entering main part of house” help these spaces keep a home cleaner. A small shower area can also be helpful in this regard.

    Nice-To-Haves

    “Radiant heating under the flooring is a benefit, especially in colder climates,” the Houzz editor comments, noting that they not only keep feet warm but help dry boots.

    Parker also suggests incorporating a workstation if there’s room. This can be used for folding laundry, wrapping gifts, handling package shipping and hobbies. “Having everything in one spot makes multitasking easier,” Parker notes. Glaister likes to have an area for hanging and drying hand-washables and Gervais suggest a built-in ironing board, extra pantry storage .

    Cooper suggests integrating a home automation panel. “This feature allows homeowners to control laundry appliances, lighting, and security systems from the laundry room.” Laundry sorting bins are also helpful, he notes. “Tech enthusiasts appreciate integrated phone charging centers and robot vacuum bases,” he adds. Several designers include device charging stations and family calendars in their projects.

    New York designer Isfira Jensen cites “beautiful, multi-layered lighting” in her nice-to-haves. “This means having the nice central light fixture to provide ambient lighting and layering it with task lighting in forms of wall sconces or LED strip lights.” She also recommends ventilated drawers for shoe storage.

    Boulder-based interior designer Megan B. Daughtry suggests having “a designated basket and large wardrobe cabinets for each family member to store their gear.”

    Personalization

    One trend we’ve been seeing for quite a while throughout the house is personalization. The fact that it’s showing up in these utilitarian areas speaks to their growing importance to homeowners and their families. “Photos of popular mudrooms on Houzz showcase inviting styles, smart built-in cabinetry, attractive furniture and decor, and bold colors,” Parker shares.

    Brownhill is seeing “Fun tiles and printed wallpaper.” These high traffic areas benefit from busy patterns hiding scuffs and wear, she points out. Daughtry creates custom calendar and boards for tracking family activities and kids’ growth. Ives is starting to get requests for digital family calendars, she says.

    Style enhancements certainly make doing laundry a more enjoyable chore. I think my late mother would have enjoyed many of these features, but a luxe laundry hadn’t occurred to her back then. Right now, my townhouse has a compact laundry closet, but a laundry-mud room flex space is definitely on my next home wish list.

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    Jamie Gold, Contributor

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  • Five 2024 Wellness-Enhancing Smart Home Trends For Your Kitchen

    Five 2024 Wellness-Enhancing Smart Home Trends For Your Kitchen

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    Many of the amenities found in the latest kitchen trends are empowered with smart home technology. Here are five described in the influential 2024 Kitchen Trends Research Report recently released by the National Kitchen & Bath Association. I wrote about eight of the report’s sustainability-related observations last week. The role of innovation in kitchen design and remodeling for adding wellness potential richly deserves its own coverage.

    As I noted in the previous piece, NKBA is a trade organization comprising 50,000 members, including designers, dealers, remodelers, installers and manufacturers, and produces annual studies like this one on design and remodeling trends. Those who specify kitchen products were included in this report. (I’ve been a member for close to two decades, but it’s just one of several leading industry associations I source for research.) I reached out to fellow designers who have had a chance to review the report and had them expound by email about the growing role of smart home technology in their kitchen projects.

    Before delving in, it’s worth noting what architectural designer Nar Bustamante in Sacramento shared in his comments. While he’s excited about the advances available in smart appliances, he says, there is a learning curve for some clients that may keep them from using the technology to its full potential. That being said, there are features that don’t take effort to set up or use, and can be very helpful to users, he points out.

    1. Resilience

    “Many appliances now have emergency power shut off monitors, leak detection, and Wi-Fi connectivity so we can now see how an appliance is performing from our phones,” comments Bustamante. The leak detection feature alerts the homeowner that there’s water where it shouldn’t be present that needs to be addressed. Some leak detection technology can turn off the water, (depending on the client’s plumbing system).

    “We’ve been taught to ignore a lot of these alerts, because they also commonly happen in ways that allow us to distrust technology,” the Californian observes. He notes though that since issues often occur when we’re not home, this will help prevent future incidents. That’s one alert category you definitely don’t want to turn off, given that floods and freezing damage are the third most common insurance claim. This is particularly true for vacation homes or rentals.

    2. Smart Refrigeration

    Refrigerators are a major component in the resilience conversation. “Key technology features will be safety related, including emergency power, leak detectors and food inventory technology,” the report predicts. Food preservation has increased in homeowner importance as food prices continue to soar, concerns about ethical and sustainability issues surrounding waste grow, and power grids fail due to extreme weather or other issues.

    Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area designer Vicky Serany describes smart refrigeration as “the unspoken hero of our kitchens.” She’s impressed with what the industry has released thus far. “The appliance manufacturers have done a tremendous job working to keep our food preserved and safe.”

    After keeping the household’s food stocks preserved, convenience is another desired feature. “New refrigerator food inventory technology will help with menu recommendations and shopping,” the report notes. It adds that new and expanded refrigeration options provide flexibility for homeowners. About a third (36%) of homeowners want food these inventory technology and menu recommendations, it reveals. (This trend will likely skyrocket as more Generation Z digital natives become homeowners.)

    A big trend within the smart fridge mandate is the flex drawer that can shift on demand from refrigeration to freezing to wine preservation. With 74% of study specifiers reporting a desire for improved refrigerator functionality, an increase in flex models and even remote mode setting will be welcome in in this category.

    3. Multi-tasking Cooking Appliances

    “Appliances with more than one cooking function are popular,” the report shares, with 87% of respondents mentioning this. Technology helps make it happen. “Cooking appliances will have integrated cooking functions like air frying and steam cooking,” it points out, and 71% of respondents want these appliances to offer reduced cooking times and precision control.

    About half (47%) of home chefs expect to control their ovens or ranges from mobile apps! Programmable cooking options for delayed starts are a desired feature of 37% of respondents, and 21% expect these appliances to be voice-activated.

    Steam has been coming on especially strong in ovens, typically in combination with convection. Rather than run plumbing lines to these appliances, many designers and homeowners are opting for reservoir models that can be easily refilled and reduce installation expense and maintenance. Clients are thrilled with these appliances, Serany comments. “Perhaps it’s our culture of reheating leftovers, but many believe food just tastes better when cooked in a steam oven.”

    Bustamante is bullish on steam too, which he puts at the top of his wellness lists. “Steam ovens offer a more even, moisture-producing cooking method where chances of overcooking are minimized and nutritional value and freshness are preserved, maintaining the integrity of the food.”

    One of the innovations that’s been added to cooking appliances, according to the report, is personalized settings and controls. These can support temperature control precision, delayed and remote starts. The ability to monitor your cooking progress on a phone app or tablet is definitely another smart home trend worth considering.

    Some apps will alert you if you left a burner on. Some will allow you to upgrade your range or oven remotely as the manufacturer adds new features. One of the first smart feature upgrades that was incredibly popular was the addition of air frying to some convection ovens. The ability to do this gives homeowners an incentive to enable connectivity with the manufacturer. Remote repair diagnostics is another incentive, but maybe not as sexy as getting a whole new cooking mode in time for your holiday entertaining!

    4. Microwave Alternatives

    The report has a section noting trends on their way out. Microwaves installed over ranges was the top one (45%) cited. They’ve never been a factor in luxury kitchens, (except maybe tiny condo kitchens in Manhattan or San Francisco), and have lost appeal with many upper-midrange projects too. Especially installed over gas cooktops, which you’ll find in many tract homes, they’re a safety risk. They also tend to offer noisy, inferior ventilation, (a big concern over gas burners!). “The steam oven or drawer microwave-convection oven is the preferred method in our designs,” Serany says.

    “Speed ovens and steam ovens are also excellent for reheating,” Designer Sarah Robertson in Westchester County, New York, just north of the city, comments.

    Bustamante sees steam as an ideal alternative. “Reheating and defrosting foods has really changed with steam ovens – microwaves are no longer the only option.” He says he’s not even installing microwaves in many of his projects now. “The steam oven is rising to the top!”

    5. Handsfree Faucets

    “Handsfree faucets are becoming the new standard,” the report declares, with 57% of respondents choosing motion activation, 55% opting for an elbow or arm tap model, and 21% choosing voice activation. Overall, about half (46%) of respondents agree that handsfree is becoming the new standard.

    Robertson takes handsfree to the other extreme; she’s one of the 9% of respondents who prefer foot pedal control. The New York area designer specifies a commercial toekick-mounted water control valve, she says. “It can install on any faucet, and does not require electricity to operate. It’s simple, easy to install, and saves a lot of water!” (Anyone holding a heavy pot of pasta in boiling water can appreciate this convenience.)

    Voice control is another way to add handsfree capability to a kitchen, which is where most handsfree faucets are being installed in homes, Serany observes. They don’t always work as well as one would prefer; artificial intelligence will likely make them smarter in the next few years.

    Last Words

    The increasing popularity and presence of smart home technology in updated kitchens is leading design pros to partner with smart home technology integrators. It’s not uncommon for one of these experts to be involved in a high end project from the very start. Don’t be surprised to be introduced to your architect’s, designer’s or general contractor’s tech partner even before you choose a single finish.

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    Jamie Gold, Contributor

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  • Cosentino’s Trend Report Shares What Interior Designers And Homeowners Really Want

    Cosentino’s Trend Report Shares What Interior Designers And Homeowners Really Want

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    In a world of design trends, it’s hard to know what’s real and what isn’t. What’s trending on social media may not actually be trending in real life. This also makes it challenging to renovate a home. While it might look as if the shiplap craze will never end or that every third home has a Barbiecore bedroom, in reality, what designers and homeowners are looking for is really quite different.

    On October 2nd, 2023 Cosentino, the global surfacing leader, was proud to share the results of its first United States trend report. The report features a mix of data collected by IPSOS along with input from several top designers including Barry Dixon, Laura Kirar, Richard T. Anuszkiewicz, and Sarah Brooks Eilers.

    The numbers come from an online survey of 200 independent design and architect professionals along with 500 homeowners who have renovated in the past five years or intend to do so in the next year.

    Here are some of the most notable findings from the report.

    Resimmercial Is Hotter Than Ever

    Resimmercial, which is a mix of commercial and residential design is on the rise. This isn’t surprising considering our homes have become our offices, schools, gyms, and spas.

    In the report, Kirar shared that incorporating comfortable furniture, cozy textiles, and carefully curated lighting evokes “a sense of comfort and indulgence.” These elements can help integrate the look into any home.

    Hotel-Inspired Design

    One of the hallmarks of the report was how design is being influenced by travel. It stated that 70 percent of designers find inspiration from resorts and hotels, while 58 percent find inspiration from travel destinations. The data also showed that the top two features were spa-inspired bathrooms and indoor/outdoor walkout patios.

    Barry Dixon of Barry Dixon Inc noted that “sumptuous beds” and “luxurious baths” should be emulated at home. “And every room can use a bar cart!” Most homeowners would drink to that idea.

    The Future of the Bathroom Is The Spathroom

    The days of standard toilets, sinks, and tubs are over. Considering bathrooms are often the second biggest investment in the home, there is more emphasis than ever on the design of these spaces. The report stated, “Both designers and homeowners selected a spa-inspired bathroom as the top hotel design element to bring to life within their own home (69 percent of designers and 53 percent of homeowners). Both groups ranked a spa-inspired bathroom within their top three home priorities overall.”

    Both homeowners and designers wanted features including large tiles and slabs, oversized bathtubs, luxury flooring, and doorless showers. Nearly 80 percent noted they would use metallic accents in their showers, which shows this aesthetic is here to stay.

    Kitchens Are The Most Important Room In The Home

    To the surprise of no one—designers and homeowners ranked the kitchen their top priority. According to the report, “As kitchens continue to become more personalized, design-driven spaces, a ‘dream kitchen’ is at the top of nearly everyone’s list.”

    Anuszkiewicz shared why investing in a dream kitchen is a smart move, “This not only carries the most value and impact in your home but it is also the space where you naturally spend the most time. There is a lifestyle value add that is undeniable and more people need to take into consideration when investing into their kitchen.”

    When asked what is most requested by clients he said, “Well-organized space for the busy lifestyle of today, professional grade appliances and surfaces that are visually attractive and easy to maintain.”

    Sustainability Becomes More Important

    Sustainability has been a trend in recent years but it’s becoming more important than ever. The data showed that 70 percent of designers and 58 percent of homeowners selected sustainable products. 84 percent of designers looked for products made with responsibly sourced materials and 82 percent wanted products made with recycled materials.

    “The industry shift towards sustainability is a huge priority for future generations, and we have to work together to make it happen,” said Eduardo Cosentino, EVP Global Corporate Sales and Chief Executive Office of Cosentino America. “For us, sustainability is not just about the materials we use or the way we produce our products, it’s about considering the entire lifecycle of our products and maintaining a business model that supports innovation and environmentally safe practices. ”

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    Amanda Lauren, Contributor

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  • Industry Association Reveals Top 2023 Bathroom Design Trends

    Industry Association Reveals Top 2023 Bathroom Design Trends

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    What’s trending in residential bathrooms? Six hundred respondents to an online survey – including designers, dealers, manufacturers, remodelers and architects – answered that question in the leading industry group’s just-released 2023 Design Trends study.

    The National Kitchen & Bath Association’s annual report provides insights to what homeowners are requesting and what professionals are delivering. These are the trends the association and its respondents see for the new year.

    Overview

    Like kitchens, “bathrooms are bigger and more involved,” noted NKBA research director Tricia Zach. “Creating spa-like bathrooms that enhance homeowner experience while allowing seamless aging in place” capability was a major focus of the responses, her report shared. As with kitchens, technology to enhance functionality and comfort was a strong related trend. So were enlarged spaces for more accessibility and a relaxing feel.

    Opening Space

    “Top bathroom trends involve opening space by removing bathtubs for larger showers, taking down walls and creating a connected dressing area,” the report noted. A surprising 77% of respondents were removing tubs to increase shower sizing. For those bathrooms still getting tubs, 74% are free-standing and 68% are deep soakers.

    Removing walls to increase the primary bathroom’s footprint was a trend for 63% of the replies. Connecting to a closet or dressing area (58%) or adding a laundry space (34%) were popular too. Additional comfort features include extra seating, coffee stations, workout areas and small refrigerators.

    Sustainability Counts

    Sustainability concerns reported in the kitchen trends section of the report carry into the bathroom as well. That shows up in a preference for all LED lighting (82%) and increased natural light with larger low-E doors and windows (55%). EPA WaterSense-rated faucets, showerheads and toilets were specified by 56% of respondents. Also showing up in the sustainability column are EnergyStar certified appliances and ventilation, as well as recycled countertops and flooring, and FSC certified and formaldehyde-free cabinets.

    Technology Enhancements

    “Homeowners are excited about heated floors, temperature / moisture controls, voice / app controls, smart toilets / bidets and smart mirrors,” the study reports. Heated floors that can be controlled by phone mean warming up the bathroom on your way home from a wintry hike or from below the covers in the morning and were cited by 69% of respondents. Temperature controls for shower and flooring were popular with 67% and sensor humidity controls were cited by 55% of the respondents.

    Digital showering that lets one or more user program their preferred flow rate, temperature and mode, as well as potentially controlling steam showering, was a 23% preference in the study, but a strong 44% want the ability to start their shower with their phone. “Lighting and physical therapy options for showers – especially for active people” was especially noted in the responses.

    Integrated lighting and internet screens in bathroom mirrors for convenience were mentioned, as were leak detectors, vanity charging and towel warming.

    Wellness Features

    Wellness features overlap and are often enabled with technology enhancements. For example, chromotherapy was selected by 25%, preset lighting schemes for different times of day got a 29% and the above-noted steam showering and bidet functionality (45%) are all wellness-driven by wellness-focused respondents.

    Low maintenance, nonporous quartz countertops (82%) are also definitely a wellness choice. Floating vanities (71%) add accessibility, another wellness facet. Bathroom faucets reflect wellness considerations too with 61% opting for accessible lever handles, 48% choosing motion and 36% going for touch or tap. A voice-activated faucet preference showed up at 12% and will likely increase as more models become available. (I’m hoping to see at least one manufacturer offer a voice control bathroom faucet with temperature adjustment capability at February’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show; Moen introduced this feature to kitchen faucets several KBIS expos ago, but I still haven’t seen a bathroom version.)

    A very strong 75% of trend study respondents are choosing heated flooring, with ceramic or porcelain tile being the surface leader (71%), more than double the closest second, luxury vinyl wood plank (33%), choice. LVP, as it’s often called, is softer underfoot, but some versions have had issues with off-gassing risks.

    Large format tile (59%) and slab (40%) – “requiring fewer grout lines and maintenance,” the report observed — were the top tub and shower surround materials, making life easier for users.

    As noted above, showers are getting larger, with 82% of survey respondents designing them for two-person use. They’re often open (55%) with no door, or they’re part of a wet room (35%) that might also encompass a tub. Going for an aging-friendly spa feel, these showers often have a seat (79%), linear shower drain (78%), hand-held shower head (77%), zero clearance entry (66%), grab bars (65%), and multiple shower heads (64%) with one of them being a rain head (58%). Steam shows up for 41% of the spaces, with body sprays, music, heating and chromotherapy also enhancing them.

    “Windows above tubs (51%) and skylights (37%) will have high usage to maximize natural light,” the trend study observes. Ideally, they’ll have smart controls for greater accessibility. Reaching a window above a soaker tub is no easy feat for users with upper body weakness or balance issues.

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    Jamie Gold, Contributor

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