My Top 5 Trends for this Fall & Winter
If you follow interior design trends, these may not be news to you…but design trends trickle down from conceptual to luxury into big cities, and then gradually become popular in smaller markets among homeowners, and eventually investors will adopt those trends once it feels a bit safer. So while the trends below aren’t exactly new, they are somewhat new to the house-flipping world, and I’m hoping some of you might be inspired to incorporate them in your next project.
1. Earthtones
So, this has been a trend for a while in everything from fashion to interior design. But I’ve not seen many investors incorporate them into flips, and I think it’s a missed opportunity. Consider the front door and kitchen cabinets as great places to start. White kitchens are a safe bet but they can be very boring and repetitive. If you follow the work of big-name interior designers, you won’t find many all white kitchens in recent time. Earthy color palettes can be bold and dramatic or soft and inviting so choose your vibe and get creative. Here are some of my favorite earthy paint colors to inspire your next flip’s color palette.
2. High gloss is back!
High gloss finishes had a huge moment in the roaring 20s and again in the mid 80s to late 90s. I’m talking glass tile, lacquered furniture, polished chrome and brass, and high gloss paint everywhere you look. Everyone got sick of that trend and matte has been the overwhelming choice for paint hardware and wood finishes for more than a decade. Everything comes back around eventually so think about incorporating one or two glossy elements in your next flip. To capitalize on this trend in its early stages without alienating consumers, try a glass or glazed ceramic tile in a bold color or mix hardware finishes for a custom look.
3. Reds, browns, and blues are trending again!
And Lord knows I’m the last one who thought this was ever going to happen but here we are and surprisingly, I’m loving it. Now please do not grab these colors straight off a basic color wheel, that will be hideous! Instead look for variations of these colors that are more palatable for the average consumer, think earth tone versions of these colors, deeply saturated, a little hazy, and soft muted versions.
4. Tuscan/Mediterranean
Tuscan/Mediterranean is back and if you’re a millennial or older this may make you a little nauseated but trust me when I say this is not the Tuscan of the late 90s and early 2000s. I’m talking about natural soft brick, venetian plaster, rustic wood beams, lime washes, red clay, and terra-cotta tiles, arched dooorways, really warm soft taupes, grays and whites, burnished and antique brass, iron etc. things to avoid: scrolling vine motifs, anything with yellow undertones, faux wall finishes, cheap mosaic printed tiles. Use colors from number one to inspire the palette for this trend!
5. Wood paneling
Another groan worthy past trend that’s made its way back but this time in a sophisticated way. I’m not talking about those cheap grooved panels from the 70s and 80s that we’ve all torn out or painted over at some point. Nope this time we’re seeing quality wood wall coverings that can make a statement even if used sparingly to save the budget. Fluted, ribbed, and slatted paneling is definitely having a moment and can be incorporated into built-ins, used as an island wrap, a feature wall, or a ceiling detail. Get creative here and try mixing materials with paint, tile, or wallpaper for a unique feature.
