The overall trend is to combine neutral colors for larger items such as walls and furniture with colorful accent pieces in shades of coral, plum and violet.

 
Tip:  Eye-catching color trends come and go!  Neutral colors in warm shades are always a good bet if you want to not have to repaint before selling your home.
 
 
The Kitchen
 
Cabinets
 
Wood is still an extremely popular look for cabinetry, and this year the trend appears to be towards darker colors.  Designer Dale Contant states in Professional Remodeler magazine that maple and cherry are the two most popular choices, with some interest in hickory and "nobody" using oak.
 
Countertops
 
Granite remains the predominant choice for countertops due to its durability and wide range of patterns and colors.  Alternatives such as wood, concrete and glass also have a loyal following.  These days more homeowners are mixing materials, for example, using granite for the main countertop and glass or concrete as an accent.
 
 
The Bathroom
 
Bathroom as Mini-Spa

 

This appears to be one area in which homeowners are not willing to cut back.  More space, more luxury and more electronics are the in-demand design features expected in 2009.
 
Tip:  Heated floors are increasingly popular, and electric in-floor radiant heat is relatively easy and inexpensive to install in small areas.  Here's a link to more information at the HomeTips website.
 
Tip:  In a Chicago Tribune article, builder Scott Sevan advises homeowners to "skip the giant tub" and go instead for a smaller soaking tub along with a high end body spray shower head and upgraded tile work.

 

Tip:  If you are tearing out bathroom walls for a remodel it's a great idea to include sturdy attachment blocks inside the new walls so that you or a future owner can easily install a safety hand rail.
 
Furniture
 
Does Your Sofa Pass the Muppet Test?
 
Designers are reporting that furniture is becoming lighter and less bulky in style.  How do you determine if it might be time to change things in your home?
 
In a recent msn.com article C. Davis Remignanti of Furniture.com suggested that you stand in front of your sofa and imagine it with a big pair of eyes and a tuft of hair.  His advice:  If it looks like something that could teach your children their ABCs, it's a "Muppet Sofa" and should be replaced with something more streamlined.

Lighting
 
Track lighting is out and chandeliers are coming back into fashion, according to many of the current design articles.

 

Think non-shiny metals and colorful glass for a fresher look, and expect to see chandeliers used in more rooms throughout the home.
 
 
Re-Used Materials and Appliances
 
In recent years the green movement has boosted the number of building products made out of recycled materials.  A new trend is to re-use sturdy old appliances, for example, to refurbish that old mustard colored washing machine and paint it a shiny red.
 
(Re-using old appliances can fly in the face of the energy efficiency movement, and may have more to do with a tendency to revert to the "tried and true" during a tough economy.)

 

Incorporating antiques into contemporary decor is another trend expected to gain ground in 2009.
 
 
Home Technology
 
Virtual Surround Sound
 
Home theatre systems are increasingly popular, and everyone wants movie-style sound effects.  These days many people are opting for virtual surround sound systems that use gadgetry to simulate the effect of true surround sound.  (Virtual systems involve less clutter and expense.)
 
Popular Mechanics did a nice comparison of traditional versus virtual systems (the article is from 2005, but still interesting) and last December CNET Asia reviewed the top five virtual devices.

 

 

It's relatively easy to monitor your home from a distance via the Internet as long as it has broadband access.  Remote monitoring systems can let you see video footage, adjust lights and thermostats, and will alert you if a window opens or a pipe freezes.

 

Here's an interesting New York Times article on remote monitoring.

 

 

 

Smaller scale improvements are in, especially when they boost energy efficiency.  Exterior siding and window replacement showed consistently strong returns in the 2008 Cost Vs. Value report, and well-planned bathroom and kitchen remodels remained worthwhile upgrades. 

 

 

 

I love to see people make choices that increase the value and enjoyment they get from their home, and I'll gladly give you my input anytime you're considering remodeling or redecorating.  Please feel free to call me, or simply reply to this email - I'm here to help!