8 Hot but Highly Impractical Design Trends That Are More Trouble Than They’re Worth

hot-but-impractical-design-trends — istock; Photo by usona/Houzz

These days, it seems like we’re constantly barraged with images of what’s fresh and hot in home design. From Instagram to Pinterest to “Fixer Upper,” it can be hellishly difficult to keep up with the latest trends—and very easy to feel like your home simply doesn’t stack up.

But here’s the thing: Those gorgeous photos of, say, spotless, all-white kitchens are more than merely aspirational; they’re a bit antithetical to, you know, living.

So before you fork over a ton of cash to make your home look Pinterest-worthy, remember that some of the hottest design trends are also a whole lot more trouble than they’re worth. Like with a beautiful dry-clean-only cashmere sweater, proceed with caution when trying these trends on for size.

1. Marble countertops

Photo by JKA Design
Sure, the popular (and pricey) Calacatta or Carrara marble countertops are beautiful—but they’re also highly impractical.

“Using marble in the kitchen is like installing a white sponge on top of your cabinets,” says Gretchen Kennelly, an interior designer in San Diego.

Why? It’s extremely porous, meaning it will etch or stain if you spill anything acidic or leave water standing on it for too long.

If you want your countertops to look the same in 10 years as the day they were installed, opt for a more sensible solid-quartz version (e.g., Silestone or Dekton) at half the price.

“The No. 1 thing my clients want when it comes to countertops is durability and a material that requires zero maintenance,” says designer Daniel Germani. “They hate the idea of investing in something that will inevitably stain or requires constant sealing.”

2. Metal tiles

Photo by ALLOY Solid Metal Tiles
Metal is making a big splash this year, designers say, as homeowners turn to tiles in soft shades of silver and brass to add glamour, or simply to complement the matte fixtures that are dominating in 2018.

The problem?

“While they’re gorgeous,” Kennelly says, “from a maintenance standpoint, they’re a little tricky.”

If you’re in a coastal environment, salt in the air could cause rusting (yes, even indoors). And water left remaining on the tiles for an extended period of time could accelerate tarnishing, according to Kennelly.

The takeaway: Skip them in the shower, but consider using them for an accent wall or in a small, dry space for texture.

3. All-white (or light-colored) decor

Photo by Houzz
White, light grays, and creams are all the rage right now for sofas, chairs, area rugs, and even bedding. And it’s easy to see why—who doesn’t want that pristine, crisp look that makes you feel like you’re living on a cloud?

But over time, those light fabrics are prone to stains and overall dinginess. And then you’re left with potentially exorbitant cleaning and maintenance costs.

An all-white look “is super easy to do as long as the inhabitants of the house don’t actually live there,” says Justin Riordan, founder of Spade and Archer. “Do you see the conundrum?”

“Unless you are a neat freak, have no kids or pets, or have slipcovers, opt for more medium to dark tones and use light-colored pillows for contrast,” adds Erin Davis, lead designer at Mosaik Design & Remodeling in Portland.

4. Dining benches

Photo by Jenny Madden Design
Dining benches are fairly ubiquitous these days, thanks to the continued popularity of farmhouse chic. They have a nice, low profile and lend a welcoming vibe to your dining room.

The problem(s)?

They’re “great until the guy in the middle has to go pee—then everybody needs to get up,” Riordan says. “And oh yeah, did I mention that you’ll need to see a chiropractor after sitting through an entire meal on one of these things?”

5. Peel-and-stick laminate accent walls

Photo by Megan Leith-Menard Interior Design
“If you’re considering an easy accent, Pinterest may have drawn you to peel-and-stick, wood-look laminate,” says designer Kayla Hein, creative director for Modern Castle. “But proceed with caution. (It’s) inexpensive and easy to install … but it’s difficult to uninstall when the trend goes away.”

Taking it off involves more of a “peel-and-rip approach,” Hein explains. The adhesive used for laminate is quite durable, so it’s likely you’ll take some wall off with the laminate as you remove it. (Not so with peel-and-stick wallpaper, which pros say tends to be easier to remove.)

If you insist on giving this tile trend a try, put it in a lower-traffic area, Hein advises, or be prepared to do some drywall repair.

6. Slipcovers

Photo by Olga Adler
We’re not talking about the frumpy ones your grandmother used. In the era of easy-breezy farmhouse chic, slipcovers are enjoying a comeback, complete with fresh, tailored designs that also offer the benefit of easy cleaning.

But some design experts are dubious that slipcovers ever make things as simple as they look.

“The thought here is ‘I can just slip these off, wash them, and then slip them right back on, voila!'” Riordan says. “The truth is you will spend the entire rest of your life getting these stupid sheets to lay flat on your sofa or soft chairs. As soon as somebody sits on them, they look terrible.”

Instead, invest in a good upholsterer, Riordan recommends.

7. Wall stencils

Photo by Janna Makaeva/Cutting Edge Stencils
At first blush, stencils seem like an inexpensive way to add visual interest to walls. But things can devolve rapidly. For a stencil to look good, the pattern has to be perfectly aligned and the hand absolutely steady; anything less is a recipe for design disaster.

“Your home isn’t intended to be an arts and crafts project,” Hein says. “Wall stencils are for kids, and can be a royal pain in large scale. You have to have an unbelievable amount of patience—one wrong stroke, or if you get lazy and lift the stencil even slightly, your whole pattern will look off.”

8. Unusual flooring materials

Photo by Warmington Residential
Pinterest, you’ll be the end of us. DIYers on the site are really into using unusual materials such as old pennies, paper sacks, or recycled newspaper for flooring. (Seriously: People are taking their pennies, laying them on the floor, and sealing them with layers or epoxy or resin.)

What could possibly go wrong?

“Flooring is intended to be ultradurable and should be made to last for many, many years,” Hein says. “If done incorrectly, this approach can cause your floor to crack, bubble up, or fail in other ways.”

For high-traffic spaces in particular, shell out the necessary cash for a better, more lasting solution.

Original Source: https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/8-hot-but-impractical-design-trends/

Original Author: Holly Amaya

Original Date: Mar 28 2018

April 12, 2018

Kitchen Remodeling: Find Top 5 Kitchen Designs That Last the Test of Time

When homeowners are considering renovations, it is always important that they consider three things:

Will the renovation fit our families current and future needs?
Is this design on the renovation universal? Will it appease future buyers if we consider selling the home?
Does this renovation offer a good ROI? Can this renovation stand the test of time or is this trend one that will be outdated quickly?

Kitchen remodeling can be quite the venture both in time and resources. It is crucial that when meeting with a contractor regarding your new kitchen design that you have a meeting of the minds regarding different elements that are incorporated. For a kitchen design to work over time it must be function while combing trendy elements with elements that have proven to “age” well. True professionals will be able to blend elements that allow you to have the kitchen of your dreams today that will easily integrate updates and trends that come and go within the next ten to twenty years.

Elements That Withstand the Test of Time in Kitchen Design

Invest in Natural Elements

When planning your new kitchen consider adding in natural elements such as marble, hardwoods, brick, and stone. These are all components that make a design timeless and add to the aesthetic value of a space. These elements can be seen in kitchens and homes from the 70’s that can be used in current renovations without hassle in uniting them in the overall design.

Natural Lighting

Consciences contractors will always take into consideration the placement of the kitchen within the home to maximize the amount of natural light within the space. Kitchens that are bright and well light always appear cleaner and more inviting. Natural lighting can be combined with light fixtures within the kitchen to accentuate the space to give the allusion of openness. An open kitchen concept is one that has been and will remain popular throughout time.

Indoor Plants

In order to create a timeless design within your kitchen it is important to blend two elements: simplicity and function. Indoor plants have always been popular amongst homeowners. One way to incorporate this into the kitchen space in the form of an herb garden. This is a practical, functional way to bring greenery into the kitchen without it looking out of place.

The key element when it comes to any renovation in your home is ease of use. Simplicity is always in style. Homeowners want a space to be functional, stylish, and comfortable. The best feeling ever as a homeowner is to have guests walk into your home and feel content being there. This is what contractors aim to do in all of the renovations that they have the privilege of being a part of.

JFC Remodeling, out of Howell, Michigan, offers a variety of construction services for the home including: kitchen and bath remodeling, flooring renovations, and home remodeling. You can find out more information at http://www.jfcremodeling.com or by reaching out to our home renovation specialists at 810.923.1123.

April 11, 2018

Most Popular Home Renovations and How to Pay for Them

Homeowners want to renovate and remodel their homes, but some projects pay off more than others.

According to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity, overseen by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, home renovation spending increased 6.5% by the end of 2017 to $314 billion. With existing home prices increasing for more than four consecutive years and housing inventory still low, according to the National Association of Realtors, the Joint Center for housing studies predicts that remodeling will continue to increase 7.5% through 2018, to $339 billion.

“Steady gains in the broader economy, and in home sales and prices, are supporting growing demand for home improvements,” says Chris Herbert, managing director of the Joint Center. “We expect the remodeling market will also get a boost this year from ongoing restoration efforts in many areas of the country impacted by last year’s record-setting natural disasters.”

But just about all homeowners are still feeling a bit tentative about making renovations or taking out a home equity line of credit to pay for it. Though TD Bank finds that 55% of homeowners believe their home’s value has increased, only about 41% of homeowners surveyed at the Philly Home Show in January have ever taken out a HELOC to pay for one. Though market research firm Core Logic finds that U.S. home values increased by an average of $14,900 last year, just 51.5% would consider using a HELOC to renovate their homes. As of Dec. 15, 2017, interest from a HELOC is only tax-deductible if it’s used to improve a home, but homeowners have good reason to approach them cautiously.

Many homeowners are still a bit stunned by the last housing crisis and remember all too well how many homeowners were stuck with “underwater” homes worth less than the mortgage on them. At the height of the U.S. housing crisis in 2012, according to ATTOM Data Solutions’ RealtyTrac, more than 12.8 million U.S. homeowners (29%) were seriously underwater. That number has fallen to 4.6 million (8.7% of all mortgaged properties), while the number of equity-rich homes (with at least 50% positive equity) has climbed to more than 14 million, or 26.4% of all mortgaged properties.

“Consumers have been reluctant to start home renovations in recent years because of all the uncertainties in the economy,” said Mike Kinane, senior vice president of home equity for TD Bank. “It’s encouraging to see a growing appetite for these projects.”

Even when homeowners do decide to renovate, they’re being extremely judicious about where and how they spend. According to TD Bank’s Home Equity Sentiment Index, 54% would renovate a kitchen and 46% would renovate a bathroom — with a renovated backyard coming in a distant third at 20%. Roughly 35% of homeowners would make renovations to increase their home’s value, but the folks surveyed at the Philly Home Show had different ideas about which of the following projects would add value:

Bathroom (32%): According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, a mid-range bathroom remodel of $19,134 would return about 70% of its value upon sale of the house. Since people tend to be picky about their bathrooms, an upscale overhaul ($62,000) would only add about 56% of its value. However, a $16,000 bathroom redesign to make it more wheelchair accessible adds about 71% of its value to a home.
Outdoor renovations (23%): TD Bank was thinking decks, patios and pools, and Remodeling Magazine loves the first two. A $54,000 patio adds 48% of its value to a house, while a $17,000 composite deck brings back 63.6%. Can’t afford more than a wooden deck? Don’t worry: About 83% of the $11,000 cost will find its way into your home’s sale price.
Finished basement (15.5%): This didn’t make its way onto Remodeling Magazine’s Top 25 renovations, but those looking to make it into a bedroom and bathroom could recoup up to 57% of the costs.
Adding granite or quartz countertops in the kitchen (3.8%): It’s a shame more people aren’t considering it, as Remodeling Magazine says making this project part of a $22,000 minor kitchen remodel would add more than $17,000 (81% of the cost) to the price of a home.

If homeowners are looking for the best return on their renovation investment, however, they might want to consider a $1,471 steel entry door (91.3% return on investment), an $8,221 stone veneer for the house’s exterior (97.1%) or a $3,470 garage door replacement (98.3%). They may want to book a contractor sooner rather than later, though. The HomeAdvisor Farnsworth index of home improvement professionals finds that while 78% of home improvement companies predict an increase in revenue this year thanks to homeowners taking on large projects, 58% have had a hard time finding skilled labor to do these jobs.

“Despite continuing challenges of low for-sale housing inventories and contractor labor availability, 2018 could post the strongest gains for home remodeling in more than a decade,” says Abbe Will, research associate in the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center.

Original Source: https://www.thestreet.com/story/14519896/1/most-popular-home-renovations-and-how-to-pay-for-them.html

Original Date: Mar 16 2018

Original Author: Jason Notte

March 26, 2018

Timeless Tips for Remodeling Your Bathroom

One of the most unique and personal places in your home is your bathroom. It has been said that to truly understand a person’s living style all you need to do is to look at their bathroom. At that point, it is easy to know lots of things about the home as well as the family living there. Therefore, people always seek new methods for remodeling bathroom.

After the kitchen, bathroom remodeling has become one of the first priorities of homeowners. If your kitchen and bathroom renovations are done properly, it will raise the worth of your home. Your guests will always feel warm and comfortable during their stay in your home.

When you begin to plan for renovations to your bathroom you can get various types of materials that will make them the showpiece of your home. However, getting the remodeling project completed is often easier said than done. A good and licensed contractor can help this process and can aid in making your remodeling adventures as short and sweet as possible.

Considering the important role that the bathroom must play in our lives it is always a good idea to update its look from time to time. Here are few steps to help you remodel your bathroom.

The first step is to select the style you would be comfortable with that is appealing visually while also being neutral enough if you decide you need to sell your home. To get ideas for your bathroom renovation look at sites such as Houzz and Pinterest. Once you get an idea of what you want the goal should be to find a contractor to help recreate a version of your ideas that fits your space.

The next step is to pick a bathroom layout. Check if it suits your needs and respects the space available. A basic bathroom will have a sink and vanity, a toilet, a tub and in some cases a separate shower. An inexpensive design would be to have the basics that require plumbing on the same wall. To counteract the look and feel of being cramped in a small bathroom, try using a glass wall in your shower.

The third step involves choosing finishes. You can choose paint, tile, stone, glass or wood for your wall. For floors, you can choose from tile, stone, wood, linoleum or vinyl tiles. For a vanity countertop, you can choose from tile, stone or plastic laminate. There are many materials to choose from that can change your bathroom into a space you never want to leave.

This involves picking fixtures for your bathroom, like your toilet, sink, tub, and faucets. While cost is often a major factor, people are concerned about style and water conservation. A fourth factor in purchasing a toilet is its flushing ability. Toilets saving water are beneficial for house owners in the long run. When researching retailer’s websites for bathroom fixtures, ensure you get the full picture before making your purchases.

The last and final tip involves hiring a reputed and licensed contractor. Once you have your contractor, make sure you have a written estimate and a clear start and completion date.

One of the best ways to find a licensed contractor who will be a good fit for you is to ask around. Does anyone you know have a recommendation based on having worked with a contractor before? Ask people you trust if they have any suggestions. This will help narrow down your search field so that you have a better pool from which to choose.

Ensure you investigate his or her license and insurance. Most states have a licensing board in place that’s designed to protect consumers and safeguard the integrity of the construction industry. Applicants must pass an exam and pay a fee to be licensed. For the most part, anyone who is established and recognized as a contractor in your community will be licensed, but it never hurts to check!

You also need to make sure that any contractor you consider for kitchen and bathroom renovation is insured. You do not want to be liable for any injury that a contractor or contractor team member suffers while on your property. If you have any questions about a potential contractor’s insurance situation, make sure you resolve them before any work starts.

When it’s time to finally pursue your home kitchen and bathroom renovation, finding an insured and licensed contractor can make all the difference. Do some research ahead of time to make sure that you get a pro who will handle your project the way you want it handled from start to finish.

March 8, 2018March 8, 2018

Eye-Catching Kitchen Cabinet Details You Will Want to Use In Your Kitchen Renovation

Kitchen and bathroom renovations are the in-thing and for good reasons. There are stunning kitchen cabinet designs that you will love to have for your kitchen’s new facelift. If your kitchen’s layout works for you, you do not need to spend thousands of dollars for a complete kitchen remodeling. Instead, work with a licensed contractor to design your kitchen improvements to keep some of what you have and replace the cabinet doors or fronts depending on your budget.

Glass Kitchen Doors

Glass is very versatile and can be used in almost any part of the house to create a luxurious feel. You want the help of a licensed contractor to help you chose a high-quality glass so that it remains flush with the cabinets for its entire lifetime. Instead of leaving the doors bare, your contractor can add an X-design on the front to give it a sophisticated look and finish.

Copper, Brass, and Bronze Cabinet Handles and Faucets

Warm, soft shades of brass, burnished copper and hammered bronze are all the rage right now and has recently appealed to designers as a modern interior trend. These elements are a fantastic alternative to traditional fittings. The good thing brass matches with any color, making it ideal for a kitchen, and because it is reflective, it will make your kitchen look bigger. Brass and copper add an earthy feel to a kitchen when used on the kitchen islands, cupboards or stovetops, plus cleaning is a breeze.

Metallic Screen Doors

The metallic screen door pattern can either be of chrome, aluminum, bronze, or brass and can be used on the doors to add a touch of luxury and to let the cabinets breathe while at it.

Cabinets with Exposed Hinges

If they are not too busy looking for your space, exposed hinges give a period feeling to any kitchen. Imagine white or brown wooden cabinetry with rustic, or black exposed hinges.

Modern Minimalist

Think clean lines, muted monochrome colors, and minimal embellishments.

Under-Cabinet Lighting

Installing lights inside your cabinets is not only functional, but it also enhances the décor, saves energy, and brings about a soothing ambiance.

Backsplash

A kitchen is not complete without a modern backsplash that will fit in with your cabinets and transform your entire cooking space. Backsplashes come in a wide variety of colors, styles and materials such tile, stone, glass, ceramic, that extend from the countertop to the ceiling to lend a contemporary look and warm up a sleek, contemporary space.