Top Ten Remodeling Trends For 2014: Consumers are expected to gravitate toward bolder colors, upgrade their wall sockets, say no to boring cabinet design, and prefer showers over tubs.
Neil Kelly Company – an award-winning design-build remodeling firm in Portland renowned for innovative design, craftsmanship, and sustainable building practices – predicts the following design trends this year based on their team’s observations from material suppliers and vendors they interact with from all sectors of the industry.
Trend #1: U-Socket. Apple® devices reign in most households, so the new U-Socket wall plug has two built-in USB ports to power devices including smart phones, gaming devices, digital cameras, e-readers, and tablets. The U-Socket also has a smart sensor that allows it to shut off when the product is fully charged — an environmentally friendly feature that prevents “vampire drain.”
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| U-Socket | Curb-less Shower |
Trend #2: Kicking the Shower to the Curb. Showers are becoming more popular than tubs. “Homeowners are looking to embellish the ‘shower experience’ rather than the tub experience,” says Neil Kelly design consultant Kathleen Donohue. An increasingly popular feature is the curb-less shower.
Trend #3: Stand-Alone Tubs. If homeowners still want a tub experience in 2014, it’s likely they will select a free-standing tub that doubles as a structural element. One reason: space savings. It takes up much less room than the old tiled-in tub deck.
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| Stand Alone Tubs | Floating Shelves |
Trend #4: Floating Shelves. Cabinets can make or break a kitchen design, and Neil Kelly design consultant Fabian Genovesi likes to break up the layout. “I design kitchens that are not just long runs of cabinets, but are broken up into different sections,” he states. “Don’t take up all the space with cabinets; have floating shelves, open spaces, and room to hang wall art.”
Trend #5: Cobalt Blue. While designers may disagree on what constitutes some trends in 2014, they all agree that bright colors are most certainly “in.” Neil Kelly design consultant Suzie Atkin says cobalt blue is particularly popular.
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| Cobalt Blue | Modern To Modest |
Trend #6: From Modern to Modest. The industrial modern décor of 2013 will morph into a more relaxed, more classic, and modest look in 2014. While stone, metal, and wood will remain popular, expect a more relaxed feel and rounded designs with earth shades and raw metal finishes.
Trend #7: Self-Expression. Whether it’s bold use of color or ornamentation, homeowners won’t be afraid to express their personalities. Jeweled colors, gilded frames, and layered textiles will be methods of self-expression in 2014.
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| Self Expression | Eco friendly Cabinets |
Trend #9: Eco-friendly Cabinets. 2014 will incorporate looks from Mother Nature — and cabinets will be no exception. Earth-friendly cabinets with no added formaldehyde and non-toxic glues, binders, and finishes will rise in demand. Neil Kelly has seen a rise in inquiries from people with chemical sensitivity.
Trend #8: Multi-Generational Living. Neil Kelly design consultant Barbara Murphy is helping clients design bathrooms outfitted with multi-generational features that can accommodate aging parents or boomerang kids. Wall-mounted sinks for wheelchairs, walk-in bathtubs, and motion-sensing faucets can make the bath a better experience for everyone,” she remarks.
Trend #10: Urban Downsizing. Downsizing continues to be a long-term trend. 2014 will see people interested in living in smaller spaces that are closer to urban downtowns rather than larger houses in the suburbs.
Photo credit for all of the photography goes to Neil Kelley Company
