Popular Home Remodeling Projects in 2022

Remodeling projects can make your home more enjoyable and functional. In a time when people are seeking out ways to modernize their spaces, remodeling projects are more popular than ever. The experts at ProRemodeler magazine, identified 5 Remodeling Projects Expected to Boom in 2022.  Find out what’s in store for a majority of homeowners this year.

Better outfitted mudrooms

This functional space will avoid frantic searches for keys, backpacks, gloves, hats, lost socks, and more by constructing a mudroom that is dedicated to different needs. Functions in high demand are:

  • Drop-off areas for package and grocery-store deliveries; pet washing stations with an oversized sink or shower pan and storage;
  • Specified storage for each family member;
  • Laundry equipment area complemented with shelves, a counter for folding, and a sink;
  • A central charging station for everyone’s tech tools; and
  • Something fun such as a boot dryer

More specialized outdoor “rooms”

Creating the equivalent of rooms in a backyard started pre-pandemic, but after sheltering indoors, more homeowners asked their remodeling professionals to build different spaces to suit favorite interests, including:

  • An outdoor kitchen with a grill, water source, and the newest bell and whistle: a pizza oven.
  • A firepit or fireplace and lawn or terrace to set out a large screen and chairs to watch movies,
  • An edible garden, and trellises to plant up and conserve land.

More window, door and wall glazing to savor nature

The trend of homeowners wanting to feel as though they are outdoors even when they can’t be is expected to continue as nature is considered a boon to wellness. Remodelers expect requests to change out windows and doors, and sometimes an entire wall to fit larger glass options.

More flexible home offices

Another pandemic lesson was the importance of having a place for adults to conduct office work and children to do homework. Even as many return to the workplace and school, coronavirus numbers are expected to make adaptable areas popular.

Accessory dwelling units

Increased approval from planning and building departments has boosted accessory dwelling unit (ADU) popularity, especially as a housing solution for homeowners needing space for returning grown children, for renters to help meet the shortage of affordable housing, and older parents wanting to age in place privately in what is often called a “granny flat.”

 

 

A Marriage Of Color: Pantone reveals the Color of the Year 2021

As people look for ways to fortify themselves with energy, clarity and hope to overcome the continuing uncertainty, Pantone’s Color of the Year 2021 selections are spirited and emboldened, satisfying our quest for vitality. Illuminating (Pantone 13-0647) is a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power. Ultimate Gray (Pantone 17-5104) is emblematic of solid and dependable
elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation.

We may have had our fill of grey rooms these past few years but that’s only because it was showcased exclusively on its own, We should learn to use on-trend color with others to balance and make it our own. Gray looks great with orange or yellow. Why not pair it with navy, white and fuchsia or with light blue and pea green.

For 22 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design.

Usage
A marriage of strength and optimism, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating do not have to be used in equal proportions, either color can take precedence whether for apparel, beauty, home furnishings, product design or packaging.

We see colors. We also experience and feel the colors that surround us. The pantone colors of 2021 are an insightful combination of resilience and positivity.

Many people are choosing to use gray as a base throughout their entire home, Ultimate Gray, a neutral, mid-tone gray is strong, but also soothing, like the comfort of an old sweater and easy to live with. Illuminating, a sunny yellow with a vibrant spirit is strong enough to use independently. However, in this case, a little goes a long way.

In Apparel and Fashion Accessories
Illuminating punctuated by a touch of Ultimate Gray conveys a message of sunshine and strength. Enduring Ultimate Gray provides a great bouncing off point with Illuminating bringing in some brightness by way of a scarf, footwear, handbag, shawl, tops. With its energetic presence the marriage of Ultimate Gray and Illuminating are a great combination for activewear. The high visibility contrast of Illuminating and Ultimate Gray adds to its appeal for outerwear.

In Beauty
A mix of warm and cool tones, combining Ultimate Gray and Illuminating in hair or nail makes a dramatic statement. Illuminating sparkles and shimmers when paired with Ultimate Gray in eye make-up.

In Packaging and Multi-Media Design
Pairing Illuminating, the color of highest visibility and reflectivity with resilient Ultimate Gray produces a visually noticeable message no matter where it appears. The coupling of Illuminating with Ultimate Gray infuses a message of vitality into a firm foundation of reliability, wisdom and experience for packaging and multi-media design.

In Home Decor
Ultimate Gray and Illuminating are a great combination to set the mood in any room in the home adding a dose of sunshine and positivity. Juxtaposing Illuminating with Ultimate Gray in table linens, sheeting and home accessories including pillows and tabletop infuses vitality and liveliness.

Test the waters by using it in a space that you want a little pick-me-up; think laundry room and as a complementary color to brighten up a gray space with pillows, accessories, flowers and even your front door.

Painting a front door in bright yellow Illuminating conveys a warm and welcoming message when supported by solid and dependable Ultimate Gray in the exterior finishes. The ideal combination for any office whether in the home or in a commercial space with Ultimate Gray providing the firm foundation for Illuminating, a vibrant yellow that heightens awareness and enhances intuition, lighting the way to the intellectual curiosity, originality, and resourcefulness of an open mind.

About the Pantone Color of the Year
“This year’s colors project hope and vibrancy in the juxtaposition of Illuminating against the steady calm of Ultimate Gray,” said Teresa Scudero, a member of NKBA, a professional member of the Interior Design Society and owner of TDS Designs (Tdsdesigns.net). “A strong and bold color combination that can be fun and fabulous at the same time.”

The Color of the Year selection process requires thoughtful consideration and trend analysis. To arrive at the selection each year, Pantone’s color experts at the Pantone Color Institute comb the world looking for new color influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films in production, traveling art collections and new artists, fashion, all areas of design, popular travel destinations, as well as new lifestyles, playstyles and socio-economic conditions.

“Pantone is a leader in color forecasting, not only for interior design but for fashion and product design as well,” Lanza said.

Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures, and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms and even up-coming sporting events that capture worldwide attention.

Visit www.pantone.com to learn more about the Pantone Color of the Year for 2021.

5 kitchen renovation trends for 2021 that might surprise you

Being at home for the majority of the past 12 months has made people realize what does and doesn’t work in their home. One of those areas might be your kitchen.

While it may be the heart of the home, if it’s not functioning well, adjustments need to be made.

Houzz, a home improvement and design website, has conducted a survey of more than 2,000 U.S. homeowners about recent or planned renovations. The results show some major trends for kitchen remodeling work this year.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted home design, as people have been spending more time at home,” the report noted in its Big Ideas section. “The following findings from the 2021 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study may be a result of adapting spaces to fit new needs.”

Increased storage

Since more people are spending more time at home, there’s no surprise that we need more places to put away things that may have usually been left in the office break room.

Houzz’s study found that almost all kitchen renovation projects — 94% — involved some work on cabinets and 63% replaced kitchen cabinets altogether. Some, however, chose to conduct partial kitchen updates. But of the 31% who did, 28% added at least a few cabinets, which is a quadruple increase from 2019.

A drop in desires for open-concept

Spending more time at home with your loved ones can lead to an increase in the space you may want — or need — away from them. So while open-concept kitchen designs have been the norm for nearly half a century, according to Bob Vila, it’s now been pushed out of favor.

In 2021, 43% of people wanted an open concept compared to 53% in 2019. Homeowners who opened their kitchens to an outdoor space sat at 22%.

Consistent year-on-year kitchen spend

On average, major kitchen remodeling projects — those that involve replacing all cabinets and appliances — that were done by the middle of 2020 cost $35,000. Meanwhile, a minor large kitchen remodel is $12,000 compared to $5,000 for a small minor kitchen renovation.

According to HomeAdvisor, a small kitchen remodel costing between $10,000 and $15,000 could include installing a tile backsplash, upgrading the sink, resurfacing the cabinets and painting the walls. Custom cabinetry and hardwood floor installation and granite countertops are among the upgrades that could cost $30,000 or more.

Vinyl takes the lead over hardwood flooring

Speaking of hardwood floors, it appears many homeowners aren’t interested in covering their kitchens with the material. Houzz’s survey showed the flooring type fell to the No. 2 spot, with 23% of homeowners opting for it compared to the 24% who prefer No. 1-ranking ceramic or porcelain tile. Preference for resilient flooring such as vinyl continues to gain traction as 19% elected to go with it.

Hardwood floors have several pros and cons, according to Architecture Lab, including variety, and easy maintenance and installation. However, they are costly, prone to scratching and are high maintenance.

Neutral tones are king

People renovating their homes continue to opt for neutral beiges, whites and similar hues with gray tones. Still, color isn’t completely out. Some kitchens have incorporated bright pigments including blue walls, gray flooring and multicolored backsplashes, which accounted for 18% of respondents’ color selections.

 

Shaking off a dark winter with a spring cleaning, refresh

A spring cleanup and décor refresh have always been able to lift moods. But after this long pandemic winter, there’s special satisfaction in clutter removal, extra joy in being creative, particular pleasure in making a space even more your own.

“This time of year, I can often feel buried after so much time indoors, and with many of us working from home, this is even more crucial,” says designer Mel Bean in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Or as New York-based designer Thom Filicia puts it: “Be brave. The new year is a chance to create spaces that allow you to live your most beautiful life.”

Some suggestions from the experts on bringing a sense of harmony and happiness home this spring:

A GOOD CLEAR-OUT

“`Bright and light’ is my motto, and when the days get warmer, I can’t wait to purge and donate some things,” says New York designer Michael Wood. He gives to Housing Works, a New York City non-profit fighting AIDS and homelessness.

Wood takes the change of season as an opportunity to get a professional firm in to deep clean.

“Every piece of furniture is lifted and cleaned by the crew — all lighting fixtures, fans, walls, blinds/drapery and ceilings are wiped,” he says. “They clean the outside, inside and behind all appliances, inside closets, shelving and cabinetry, all windows inside and out. Everything feels new again!”

Hiring pros might not be doable for all of us, however. Thankfully, cleaning can be free therapy.

Organizing expert Marie Kondo says that visualizing what a happy home would look like to you is a good first move on the de-cluttering, cleaning journey.

“Think about what kind of house you want to live in, and how you want to live in it,” she says. “When you imagine your ideal lifestyle, you are really clarifying why you want to tidy and envisioning your best life. The tidying process represents a turning point.”

Decluttering might spark some new ideas for old belongings, says Lance Thomas of Thomas Guy Interiors in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

“Heirlooms are a great way to accessorize and bring happiness into a home. Those ancient trinkets and doodads found while spring cleaning could make for a wonderful coffee table conversation piece,” he says. “There’s something special about preserving memories and respecting history that feeds the soul.”

LITTLE IMPROVEMENTS

Not up for anything big? After you’ve done a declutter, reward yourself by bringing home some green.

“Plants are known to boost mood and productivity,” says designer Jay Jeffers. “Add a floor plant in ample natural light to elevate your space, and put smaller plants where you spend most of your time, like your kitchen or your desk.”

There are lots of easy-care options, like succulents (including aloe and jade plants) and pothos. Or try cut flowers.

“Investing in a pretty vase and making a commitment to fresh flowers is a great way to bring happy into your space,” says Houston designer Mary Patton. “Even if you’re Instacarting, you can have inexpensive flowers delivered. Flower arranging is an easy, creative activity.”

Filicia advises paying attention to the pieces you touch most every day. “Your home should not only be a place where you feel inspired and energized, but also where you can kick back and relax. Create an environment that allows you to recharge,” he says.

“Bedding, pillows and throws create those welcoming environments.”

Paint or paper a wall, replace a rug, or reupholster a chair, he suggests.

Color is a simple way to create an upbeat feel, says John Cialone of Tom Stringer Design Partners in Chicago. The firm recently completed a Palm Springs, California, project where they brought in a vibrant kiwi green. Cialone also likes coral on walls or furniture for “giving you a healthy glow.”

BIGGER FIXES

Changing finishes or buying larger furniture costs more, but packs a punch.

Jeffers suggests drawing inspiration from your favorite destinations. “Think about the places where you feel happiest. Whether it’s a beach with tranquil blue water and warm white sand, or a cozy cabin surrounded by evergreen trees, incorporating design elements from your most-loved destinations will mentally bring you back,” he says.

At-home gyms have been one of his most requested additions this year. Whether you set up a few pieces of equipment or just some mats and pillows, that private oasis can pay off in both your fitness level and your mindset, Jeffers says.

Changing the finish or color of kitchen cabinets can be a big job, but the payoff, Cialone says, is also big.

As the pandemic waged on, Lisa and Peter Kinsman of Westchester County, New York, got fed up with their kitchen’s dark cherry cabinetry and black countertops. Inspired by a photo Lisa saw of a kitchen designed by Studio McGee, the couple chose a creamy gray paint to cover the cabinets, and changed out the counters for crisp white Silestone. The updates brought more light into the smallish, back-of-the-house space and improved the vibe in many ways, Lisa said.

“The light, definitely, but we’re surprised how much bigger it looks,” she says. “Hard to say if that’s why I find it more pleasant, or if it’s because it looks so much more current.”

Philadelphia-based interiors firm Marguerite Rodgers added a playful, cheery red pocket door to a recent kids’ room project on the Jersey Shore.

“The pop of color really ties the space together,” says designer Kaitlyn Murphy. “You can easily refresh existing millwork by adding a wallcovering, textile or a fun paint color.”