Nashville 2016 Upgrades
Many homeowners in/around greater Nashville are already looking ahead to 2016, and they are wondering what will be the hottest design trends in real estate. Here are six trends you’re going to see more of as you begin to search for your new home. These are terrific Nashville 2016 upgrades, and I’d love to see any of them in a home you choose. What do YOU think? Which one is YOUR favorite?
1. Standard tubs are out; luxurious shower stalls are in.
There’s nothing wrong with tubs, to be sure. But the majority of us tend to be busy busy busy these days, and we welcome the chance to get a quick shower. You’ll see more walk-in showers, more frameless options, and a significant upgrade is choosing a “rain shower” head and/or multiple jets. If you are planning a bathroom remodel in 2016, do consider adding a luxurious shower stall with a seat installed.
2. “Low boy” toilets are out; higher, ADA-compliant toilets are in. As homeowners are aging in place (wink here; we’re all aging in place), we might find that our joints and knees and back are a little more sensitive these days. So when you’re planning your 2016 bathroom remodel, change out the toilet to one that sits 2-3 inches higher. These are generally called “ADA-compliant” toilets, and you’ll find them to be more comfortable. Another added bonus is that toilets are much more stylish these days. You’ll also see way fewer round toilet seats; oval seats are definitely the way to go.
3. Ceramic tile in the kitchen is out; glass tile is in. Glass subway tile is extremely affordable, and it comes in every color of the rainbow (and more). Glass tile just makes sense in the kitchen, too. The design on ceramic tiles goes out of style: haven’t you ever been in a kitchen with ceramic tile sporting an ornate flower pattern and you thought, yeah, I recognize that pattern from the 1980s? Glass is obviously more timeless, although you do need to choose your colors carefully. And you don’t have to choose subway tiles (generally 3×6 inches) either; glass tiles offer exciting design trends.
4. Cherry and oak cabinets are out for kitchen cabinets; modern paints are in. As a Realtor(R), I get to visit a lot of kitchens, including brand new builds, and gauging by my clients’ reactions, painted kitchen cabinets — especially pure, stunning white, and a second version generally called “milk” paint — always get the biggest happy responses. Obviously, pure, stunning white cabinets scream cleanliness, and they allow the other colors in the room (the countertops, the appliances, the hardware) to shine. But a slightly less formal version, the “milk” paint, is also gorgeous: it’s still light and clean, but the ivory tint with small flecks of brown that just makes you feel comfortable; it’s more forgiving. In your 2016 remodel, you’ll often see the horizontal and vertical veins stained in a darker color, too.
5. Granite is not “out”, but quartz is getting more “in”! Granite remains a popular choice in all kitchens, so I can’t bear to write that granite is “out.” But in high-en
d kitchen remodels, you’ll see a lot more engineered quartz taking center stage. One of the more popular brands of engineered quartz is called Silestone. It comes in as many colors as granite, and apparently it requires even less maintenance. But this beauty comes with a price, of course. Generally, Silestone is about 30% more expensive than granite. If you are seeking a high-end remodel for your countertops, Silestone is a great choice. There’s lots of choose from in countertops these days. Expect to see remodels with concrete counters and those with rare woods as well.
6. High-end appliance models are out; name brands are in. I’ll cover this point quickly. Those who seek high-end kitchen remodels used to choose the top-of-the-line, most expensive appliances in their remodels. But the 2016 trend you’ll see is that more standard, respected brand names are sufficient. We know they’ll last for the number of years we’ll need (before we tackle our next kitchen remodel). Saving a little money on name brand appliances allows you to devote those funds elsewhere. Makes sense.
One of the lessons that was drilled into your Realtor(R) when she was studying for her license is “under all is the land.” So my last 2016 upgrade to discuss is not land, but flooring.
7. Make-do, good-enough flooring is out; real wood flooring is in. Oak flooring is timeless, no question there. But if you choose a hand-scraped version (where, as in the photo, you can see the slight waves in each plank), you have just upgraded your floor to something phenomenal. Cherry (more red), hickory (more taupe), birch (more white), and maple are other popular hardwood choices. The flooring makes a big statement about your home, so don’t be afraid to “go big” for your flooring choice. Hand-scraped is not significantly more expensive, so it is an excellent choice. (I might be showing too much enthusiasm here).
These are all good ideas for your 2016 remodel. Once you’re ready to find that home, please give me a call. Happy 2016!