Real Talk!

Small is the new big. Spaces that are easier to maintain, keep clean and heat are the hottest in home trends. Everyone's recalibrating. Watch the horizon for smaller homes and the trend continue, toward greener, more sustainable buildings. Amenities override size on the priority list and, in general, consumers want a home that is cosier, more organized and more economical in terms of operating costs.

Today’s home buyers really do think about their carbon footprint and plan ways to save on utility bills. They ultimately want their home to be energy efficient. Low E Glass, R 38 insulation, high efficiency AC systems, passive solar orientation, solar panels, energy rated appliances, tankless water heaters, and LED lighting are some of the basics that buyers hope to find.

Basements have become entertainment showplaces, where custom built-in bars, theatre areas, exercise rooms and guest suites give friends and family an open invitation to stay for a while. Homes have become a source of entertainment for owners who have traded a night on the town for take-out and a movie on the flat screen. Sellers who don't have a finished basement should consider clearing the space and putting a good paint on the floor.

Consumer interest delves into things far more technical, as today's Buyers are concerned about how construction materials were made, and the energy cost of transporting them. Today’s buyers prefer locally made or recycled products that are eco-friendly to produce, and safe to have in their homes. Insulation made from old blue jeans is a perfect fit! Open floor plans are sought after.

Boomers and Millenials are driving the demand for smaller, smarter homes designed to function more efficiently with no wasted space and plenty of room for storage. They want high-tech features, open floor plans and spaces to enjoy outdoor living. They are also buying before they get married and are willing to buy higher density/smaller homes.

New alternative energy sources are no longer frightening. People are eager to see "off the grid" housing. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are trending in... indoor fireplace are trending out. Sellers should make a fire pit in their yard, if they have space.

Two-story family rooms are out... the demand for accessible homes is on the rise and the kitchen is the new family room. Transformed from a room in which only family sit or cook food in- the kitchen is now a place of gathering and entertainment.

Products and furniture green or recycled materials are becoming more popular. Natural materials such as wood, bamboo and cork, combined with paints and varnishes with low volatile organic substances. This not only improves the atmosphere at home, but also plays a role in the conservation of nature. The same goes for appliances, even taps- people are looking for water saving as well as electricity saving devices.

Stainless steel and granite surfaces are out....while there is a move toward a surface’s visual impact, including color, sheen and special effects – today's consumer loves the unusual, such as sparkle, metallic and pearlescent effects – which define the look and feel of an object.

Sherwin Williams says:
… a million glittering pinpoints of light, glints redolent of precious metals … innovative trend stylings which contain brand-new, literally scintillating effects never before seen, bringing luxury to any surface …
… new directions for red, whether fire engine or Ferrari, the color which most attracts attention … now, the most penetrating color gets a new twist! …
… gleaming reflections in everything from bronze to pewter … mirrored accents bestow luxury and stylish refinement …
astonishing shades enhancing the look of an object and adding sparkle … rich and unique effects … fiery, glowing reds to rich browns with inner orange flashes, highlighting shape and design …
… intriguing surface stylings featuring colors and effects overlaid on the intrinsic beauty of “exposed” carbon fibre weave patterns – made possible by new advances in protection technology

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Beautiful and timeless, white kitchen cabinets are the most popular and flexible choice for the kitchen – that combine great color with different shades of the furniture and various architectural styles of the room. Besides all this, the white color makes the room a light and spacious, and you can safely add a brighter color on the walls. Oak cupboards have made a bit of a comeback, too.

Home decor is leaning toward themes of nature, ethnic colors, casual chic and cheerful tones. Tuscan is over, today we want neutrals combined with soft, pale pastels plus urban darks. Gray, navy, light camel and olive are joined by white, pale heather, soft rose, pistachio tint, aqua, lemon and pink. Warm buff and pebble colours are in, blued grays, lavender and yellowed greens are popular.

Sofas and chairs that aspire to be quaintly “cottage” by combining two or more fabrics—like a cabbage-rose print on the seat cushions and another pattern on the back or arms are OUT and we're trending toward simple, plain, minimalistic furnishings. Natural fibres are popping up in many catalogs with pieces made from materials like woven sea grass and abaca.

Designers lean toward geometric shapes, fine materials- often sparkling and advise that homeowners never exaggerate the palette of color. Continuity between inside and outside is to be considered, too. Simple is the new elegant.

Seems we are simplifying and going more natural in most directions... on the hairstyle front, for instance, the craze for super-long locks is diminishing and hair extensions are dialling back... we can expect to see lots more curly styles in the coming year. In 2011 hairstyles are full of movement and will mix textures and effects with a combination of softness and provocation. Styling becomes airy light and magical, irregular or geometric.

For longer hair affectionados, braids are the biggest upcoming trend. Falling in two distinct camps: 1/ tight and sleek like state-of-the art hair architecture and 2/ the surfer chic version, loosely worn in matte, roughly textured plaits snaking over the shoulders – NO gloss spray. Yup, and 2011 hairstyles are all about being shorter, bold and strong. With styles that have the tendency to be tapered and light, strong and delicate, composed of disorganized harmony and mixed colors.

In the fashion world look for more smart fibre blends and new finishing techniques; with an emphasis on performance. Today's fabrics are supple and have comfort stretch. Red will definitely be the main color for fall/winter this year. The industry claims that they are experiencing a most demanding design direction with its apparently contradictory, subtle mixtures of authenticity and the new modernity. The consumer, in all areas of life, is seeking a comforting bit of nostalgia, mixed with new demands for high-performance, social responsibility and quality.

Today's Buyer is willing to put the effort into restyling for the sake of performance and responsibility... although most home Buyers today are looking for a comfortable, smaller home that utilizes space to the max, a home that encompasses some of today's trends will be seen as a more attractive purchase. Buyers will look for "found space", so Sellers should tidy up underutilized areas such as basements, attics, garages which Buyers see as space that can be repurposed into functional and stylish rooms...

after all...home ownership is still seen as a rite of passage, an expression of independence... and home ownership is, in many cases, the primary source of a household's net worth and the fundamental first step toward accumulating wealth – it is one trend that's here to stay.