Spacious additions, creative mudrooms, hedonistic master suites — these are just a few of the amenities you can expect to see home-wise in 2017, according to the west suburban-based design build firm Normandy Remodeling.
Each New Year, Normandy Remodeling surveys its team of designers to determine current demands and popular trends among Chicagoland homeowners. While needs and type of project obviously will vary for each family and home, Normandy’s design team has noticed five consistent trends emerging when it comes to home renovations for 2017. This also includes a movement toward selecting man-made materials and kitchen remodels.
Team member Liz Reifschneider just finished up the latter — a kitchen remodel — in an Oak Park home. Kitchens — one of the five trends — remain king in the home, and remodeling them continues to be the most in-demand home update as people look for timeless design and low-maintenance options, according to the Normandy survey.
White cabinets, which Reifschneider installed in the village home, continue to dominate, but wood grains are gaining ground, especially in more modern design, the survey said. Other kitchen items are becoming more trendy also.
“People are getting more and more quartz countertops these days,” said Reifschneider, a 2015 winner of the NARI of Greater Chicagoland Remodeling Excellence Awards. “And cute subway tile. It’s classic and timeless.”
“Subway tiles never go out of style,” said Reifschneider, who received her degree in interior design from Harrington College of Design and has been in the industry more than a dozen years. “You’re definitely always safe with a subway tile. Sort of like white cabinets.”
In many homes, the kitchen is the hub, as we all know. But getting creative and making yours inviting is not as difficult as you might think. Pair high gloss cabinets with textures. Put in island in, a trend which is “huge,” said Reifschneider.
“You can entertain friends, hang out, the kids can do homework at the island,” she said. “They’re probably the biggest thing in a kitchen.”
Besides gussying up your eating and holding court area, below are the other top five remodeling trends that are picking up steam:
* Home additions — ideal for families who want to remain in their current home but could benefit from some extra square footage. There are plenty of options when it comes to expanding, whether building up, over or out. If you need more square footage but love your neighborhood and don’t want to move, bump out your kitchen for an island or add a bedroom, bathroom, or master suite, said Reifschneider.
“People who are thinking of staying in their homes are investing in the homes,” said Reifschneider. “Making a more luxurious space is the most important thing.”
* Master suites — creating a private sanctuary for relaxation and rest has led to a renewed emphasis on the master suite, the design team said. A combination of the master bedroom, master bathroom, and master closet; these spaces often recreate the feeling of a high-end hotel room. Indulgent amenities and soothing colors dominate as people are investing in an everyday respite.
“Light creams, grays — the color of the decade, everyone wants the spa-like bedroom so we’re just keeping it soft,” said Reifschneider. “Build off existing colors.”
* Mudrooms are taking over — for many; mudrooms are a must-have. Carving out nooks for benches, hooks and cubbies in hallways, laundry rooms and even within the kitchen is popular whether homeowners have small kids or just want to keep their entry tidy and organized.
“Every family with children wants a mudroom,” said Reifschneider. “They can hang up their backpack, school stuff — it’s about organization and trying to keep that clutter contained.”
* Man-made means low maintenance — thanks to new technologies, it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between natural and man-made materials. Currently, there are tile options that look like hardwood flooring as well as engineered stones closely resembling marble. These man-made options require much less maintenance than a living finish and are also more durable, making them less likely to stain or chip.
“Hardwood is still very popular, but a lot of engineered products — pre-finished — are becoming popular, too,” said Reifschneider.
More Top Picks Best Ipl Hair Removal Devices
Make sure there are plenty of textures in your home, too, for the new year. Mix and match them to create a look you love.
“I think textures are the biggest thing,” said Reifschneider. “Things are going a lot more contemporary — streamlined and with cleaner lines and making it more interesting with textures.”
Felicia Dechter is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press.