Top Home Renovation Trends for 2022
Despite the rising costs of building supplies and a decrease in workers, the demand for home renovations is expected to increase in 2022.
Approximately 6 million homes were sold in 2021, the highest number in 15 years. It is estimated that three-quarters of American homeowners will consider at least one home improvement project in 2022, either because they want to customize their new home or because they want to improve their existing home rather than purchase a new one at an increased cost.
The home improvement industry has seen steady growth for the past five years, even prior to the most recent housing boom. Home renovation spending is predicted to increase by 9% in the first quarter of this year, and then continue to increase by 8.8% in the second quarter.
We’ve rounded up the top home trends for 2022 and what will be the most likely home projects and renovations Summit County homeowners will set to accomplish in 2022.
- As homeowners seek tranquil, clutter-free homes, one design style will become a standard: Natural/organic. This style incorporates shapes, colors and textures found in nature. People will move away from the contemporary design style toward a style that features the warmer browns, greens and blues, as well as curving lines, found in nature. The color trend is moving away from all-white or all-gray kitchens and bathrooms to the use of more nature inspired color.
- Energy efficiency: The smart home will keep getting smarter. Expect an increase in home monitoring devices with apps to alert homeowners about open doors/windows or water leaks and the ability for a homeowner to lower heat and turn off lights remotely from the app.
- Technology geared towards guest monitoring: Noise sensors for rental homes to prevent complaints from neighbors. Occupancy sensors to shut off lights, close garage doors that were left open and lower heat when no one is in the room.
- Investments in the home office and entrepreneurial space: If remote work is becoming permanent, homeowners will want upgrade to what may have been a temporary home office. Side-hustle spaces to shoot videos, create and ship products or offer freelance services will also be a growing trend in the coming year.
- Bidets and home features that will age with us: Bathrooms that are wider for access of walkers, easy to reach vanities and of course curb-less or roll-in showers with high-contrast tile, safety bars and enhanced lighting. Nonslip and/or heated floors and a floor plan that we can grow old with such as a primary bedroom on the main level. If you don’t know someone who recently installed a bidet, you may soon! Americans are discovering bidets are more sanitary and offer less waste than tissue.
- Sustainability: Beyond reusing, recycling and repurposing, more forward thinking to home features for changing weather patterns including fire resistance (more concrete and metal, less wood), renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Town of Breckenridge now requires that all new builds comply with the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Program which includes an Electric Vehicle charging port installation.
- Multifunctional and larger kitchen islands: Families want a larger command center. The heart of the home can be a place for work, homework, fun and games in addition to food prep and meals. If a new kitchen island is on your list, just keep in mind not to make it so big that it’s hard to clean.
- One pandemic effect is an increased interest in health, hygiene and sanitation: There is growing demand for easy-to-clean surfaces and materials such as porcelain and engineered quartz for countertops. A great choice for a durable and stain-resistant surface that holds up well to scrubbing. Touchless fixtures and sanitation/recycling hubs are gaining popularity as well.
- Blending outdoors with the indoors: Improved outdoor living spaces, outdoor features and larger, more energy-efficient windows for more natural light. Outdoor entertaining may have started as a way to safely gather with friends and family but outdoor living is here to stay. And for many, this lifestyle extends to all four seasons. Decks and patios are becoming an extension of home and offer built-in storage, dedicated furnishings, full-sized appliances, full bars, smart technology/media and comfort controls.
- More homeowners will look to add to existing homes because of a tight real estate market including: converting underused areas of their property into flexible spaces to work, exercise and relax, second-floor additions, basement conversions and accessory swelling units. Flexible space is especially attractive to artists, makers and those working from home.
While flexible spaces that accommodate multiple generations and functions may continue to be popular in the year ahead, you can expect more separation between common spaces like the kitchen, home office, dining area and living room. Though open floor plans once soared in popularity, the trend may taper off in 2022 in favor of layouts that distinguish between living and working spaces and provide opportunities for privacy.
Posted by Breckenridge Associates Real Estate on
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