Doomed Design Trends?

January 2nd, 2006

More remodeling advice today from the Wall Street Journal’s RealEstateJournal.com, which touches on a few hot design trends that may be giving way to more practical treatments. It seems that sometimes, function does matter more than fashion.

The article highlights the trend (or fads) on the way out, and the what’s new in the way of replacement. A few things to keep in mind if you’re considering upgrades to kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and video.

Sinks

WHAT MAY DIE: Above-counter sinks
WHAT’S NEXT: Wet surface, farm-style

For many, above-counter (bowls on countertops) sinks look cool, but have proven to be impractical for daily use. New ‘wet surface’ slabs and sinks set into furniture are being introduced.

Kitchen Countertops

WHAT MAY DIE: Matte stone
WHAT’S NEXT: Engineered compounds

Countertop materials that have been sanded for low gloss have proven to be more prone to staining and chipping. New alternatives to polished granite include scratch-and-stain resistant engineered surfaces made of quartz and synthetic compounds and priced between $50 to $80 per square foot.

Kitchen Cabinets

WHAT MAY DIE: Glass doors
WHAT’S NEXT: Dark woods, smooth surfaces

Glass-faced cabinets look great in contemporary kitchens, but require high maintenance and don’t always serve the purpose of hiding things from sight. New cabinet designs feature a return to darker woods, lacquered colors, and medium-tone woods (oak and pine) with light finishes for depth.

Televisions

WHAT MAY DIE: Built-in flat-panels
WHAT’S NEXT: Flat-panels on top of furniture

Some experts are advising against permanent wall-mounting of flat-panel TVs—it’s expensive to install, it may not offer flexibility proper positioning, and it’s too permanent for such rapidly changing technology. Designers now suggest setting the TV on a piece of furniture, instead.

Tile Floors

WHAT MAY DIE: Tumbled stones
WHAT’S NEXT: Oversized tiles

Owners with tumbled stone floors have found the surfaces’ wide grout lines are difficult to keep clean. A new tile trend is oversized stone tiles, some measuring up to 12 by 36 inches.

Read the full article here.

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Related posts:

1. What’s Hot and What’s Not
2. Life Expectancy of Housing Components
3. Portland Market Trends – 2006 Forecast

Entry Filed under: Remodeling