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Remodeling Trends
3/25/2009
Minnesota really is its own lifestyle. So when we come home after fighting traffic in a snowstorm and need a place to de-stress, have the entire peewee hockey team over to watch the video of their big win, or are finally able to have the entire family over for a holiday dinner that always includes Lutefisk (or at least Lefse) our homes need to step up and perform to meet our lifestyle’s needs.
Remodeling trends keep pace with fashion on some levels, but just under the surface are concepts that are applicable to all homes. From more efficient flow to greener living spaces, here are some of the latest trends in home remodeling and design options.
A local trend that fits into the Green trend is remodeling within the home's original footprint. This means finding creative solutions to use that space efficiently, focusing on quality construction, design elements and finishes rather than really big spaces. And do it all while creating today’s desired sense of openness.
The one room that’s still in high demand is the owners’ bathroom. They are the in-home oasis where the residents can retreat to relax. Oversized rainfall showerheads are a start but showers today offer full body sprays, steamers, easy-clean solid surface walls, chromotherapy, heated tile floors, maybe even a built-in TV. Concrete flooring is on the rise due to its reasonable cost. Stained concrete maximizes the effectiveness of in-floor radiant heat and is a durable, easy-to-clean flooring solution. And guess what, its got Green written all over it!
Kitchens have long been the heart of the home, and have become more functional with every new design and appliance introduced. When it comes to cabinetry, maple and hickory are neck and neck with cherry wood in popularity, and the simple, sleek lines of Mission and Asian styling top the lists. Contrasting finishes are also a frequent choice for cabinets, with black and merlot the most popular dark options.
To get the biggest bang for your buck, and who isn’t thinking economically these days, stick with projects that keep on scoring high in the value ranking. Remodeling Cost Versus Value Reports from www.remodeling.hw.net shows that for the third year in a row, Siding Replacement with a Fiber Cement product is the project with the highest percentage of recouped cost. In fact, the projects with the top-three highest returns on investment did not change from last year (a wood deck addition and vinyl siding replacement are ranked two and three, respectively). A cursory glance at the entire report shows us that siding and window replacement projects garner by far the most consistent returns (they claim seven of the top nine spots in the Report). It is the combination of curb appeal and energy efficiency that keeps these projects on top of the game.
Minnesotans rejoice, the homes we live in can be both our refuge and the hub of the neighborhood. In today’s market there are many smart remodeling options to add both value and enjoyment to your home and lifestyle.
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