Whether you’re looking to buy a new house, sell your current home, or undertake a major renovation, it’s important to be knowledgeable about the latest design and decorating trends. With this in mind, we took a look at the results from the recent National Association of Home Builders homebuyers survey and offer you Home Buyers’ Must-Have Trends for 2019. These preferences expressed by 4,000 recent or soon-to-be home purchasers will inform sales in ways you would be wise to consider before putting your home on the market or investing in costly upgrades.
So which home features made the list?
1. Laundry Rooms
It’s not enough to have a washer/dryer set up in the corner of a dark basement or cluttered garage. Homeowners want real laundry rooms, preferably on the main floor where they are easily accessible and neatly contained. In fact, laundry rooms top the list of home amenities that current buyers find desirable.
2. Low-energy features
Low-energy features like Energy Star-rated windows and appliances, as well as ceiling fans and programmable thermostats emerged as a high priority for homeowners. Water-conserving toilets also made the list. These days, it’s completely doable to enjoy these conveniences of home while also saving money and doing your part for the environment. Now we know they can also boost a home’s desirability.
3. Open-concept kitchen and dining room floor plans
Open-concept kitchen and dining room floor plans are still the rage, according to survey respondents. These bright, airy layouts are convenient for everyday family living as well as casual entertaining. It seems the trend toward more relaxed, open living is here to stay at least for now.
4. Other kitchen trends
Other kitchen trends that today’s buyers find desirable include a blend of modern and traditional decorating styles. Features that bring a taste of the outside in are proving popular, such as French doors or walls of windows to let in the sunlight. White is the favored color for kitchen cabinets. Stone or engineered quartz countertops are top choices as well as stainless steel appliances. As for flooring, ceramic and porcelain tiles are most popular followed by engineered wood, laminate, and hardwood. Vinyl and resilient flooring are becoming fashionable, especially for residents who choose to age in place.
5. Bathroom styles
Bathroom styles with the most appeal begin with contemporary designs, followed by traditional and farmhouse styles. Victorian styles also made the list. Master bath renovations are a hot trend, characterized by large open spaces that often flow into the master bedroom.
6. Location
Respondents expressed a strong preference for living in the suburbs (64%), followed by rural settings (24%) and central city locations (11%). The vast majority want to live within walking distance of trails and retail stores.
7. Other design trends
Other design trends that are hot in 2019 include black kitchen cabinets and warm wall colors, such as beige or taupe, which are replacing cooler shades. Contrasting tiles will soon make the scene, along with the resurgence of Terrazzo: chips of glass, granite, marble, or quartz chips suspended in a polished cement or resin.
So which features did homeowners say they could live without? Don’t waste your investment or renovation funds on pet washing stations, wine cellars or dual toilets in the master bathroom. Oh, and elevators were listed as the least desirable feature. Something tells us they weren’t on your list anyway.
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