What’s the latest? The 7 big trends of 2014

1.       Black is the New Gray

Black is back baby…50 shades is no longer up for discussions.  We are seeing black walls, black furniture and black fabrics. We’re even seeing people paint the outside of their house black as a way to modernize an older home.

2. Smarter Homes, Smaller Systems

Previously, “smart home” options were limited to a single system that ran the whole house, but today homeowners use their smartphones to control a variety of independent systems throughout the home. From lighting to locks to appliances, smaller systems are easier to upgrade and replace.  We also have seen an influx of USB outlets installed in the home for all of our gadgets.

3. Metal Backsplashes

Tile remains the most popular backsplash material according to the Houzz Kitchen Remodeling Survey, but people are increasingly selecting metal tiles and other sheet materials including stainless steel, glass, and stone slab—it looks sleek and makes for easy cleaning.

4. Upgrading the Man Space

The man cave is emerging from the basement in many homes, often serving as a multipurpose space that isn’t hidden away behind closed doors. This room is frequently open to the rest of the household, but is still the guy’s domain to set up and use as he sees fit—hopefully with the loving support of the women in the house.

5. Losing the Lawn

Tired of mowing the lawn? You’re in luck. Native groundcover plants and more creatively landscaped green spaces (yes, even including synthetic lawns) are increasingly popular as people opt out of traditional, water-dependent expanses of grass.

6. Wood Grain Is Back

Wood is extremely popular as people skip the paint and opt for natural beauty. In fact, butcher block was the third most popular choice for counters, and hardwood was most popular flooring in the Houzz Kitchen Remodeling Survey. Expect more live-edge wood (i.e., carpentry with natural edges) in 2014 for both furniture and countertops.

7. Going Green

Starting from the ground up everything comes back to being green! Many of your neighbors have their own chicken coops and are gathering fresh eggs daily, and loving the non GMO, organic eggs.  Some are using solar energy panels, rain barrels and new more energy efficient appliances.