Design Trends to Watch in Bergen County NJ in 2016

With the new home construction market on the uptick and existing home renovation increasing with the rebounding market, there are many design trends that are coming to the forefront as evident in many homes in Tenafly, Demarest , Cresskill and other Bergen County towns.

Additionally and important to consider as millennials are the largest group of home buyers in today’s market, it is critical to focus on trends that will attract these types of buyers, as well as buyers all around. There are some common themes that are important to note with regard to millennial home buyer preferences.

For instance, with the average age of the millennial being in the mid-30’s, they have had more time to research what they want in a home, they have had time to save for a down payment, and they are looking for personalization and technology. The millennial generation is the first generation to have grown up with complete access to the latest technologies. They are the most heavily marketed to group in history, and they are demanding when it comes to their preferences.

Aside from this large home buying group, there are trends that transcend all groups of buyers that are important to note. Construction Dive mentions 12 specific trends to look for in 2016. Many of the trends mentioned are for high-end construction and remodel and range from bathroom features and outdoor areas, to intricate interior design features.

Freestanding bathtubs have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, but the most current trend is with copper bathtubs. More encompassing, 2015 saw a rise in copper bathroom fixtures as a replacement for the contemporary look of polished chrome. This trend has continued into 2016 with specific emphasis on the freestanding copper tub. There are many boards and ideas for incorporating a copper tub to be found on Pinterest.

In many of the new home construction design plans, the trend of a more fluid yet undefined separation between the indoor and outdoor spaces is gaining popularity. This goes hand in hand with new home buyers wanting more livable outdoor spaces.  By converging the indoor and the outdoor spaces a home owners is able to utilize all of the space more readily and for more time throughout the year. If you live in a milder climate, this could mean an additional ‘room’ in your home many months of the year.

By more loosely defining where the inside ends and the outside begins, it is extending your entertainment space, allowing for more flow throughout your home. Adding entertainment features, such as audio/visual and comfortable seating, will encourage your family and your guest to explore and be comfortable in all areas of your home.

Interior trends are also extending to include more intricate detailing, and more specifically intricate staircase designs. Many of the 2016 BALA (Best of American Living Awards) winning homes featured intricate stairways as a focal piece to the entry of a home. These staircases are range for including glass accents, metal work and detailed tile designs.

White with exotic or rustic looking wood accents is another trend seen in flooring, cabinetry and bedroom walls. The introduction of wood accents on white background softens the modern look buyers are looking for.

Other interior trends that are heating up are the uses of barn-style doors, waterfall  island in kitchens and board & batten accents both outdoor and indoor.   Today’s in-home barn doors are not always the stereotypical doors. New materials and techniques are being implemented based on the home owner preferences and over design of the home. Bob Vila shows a variety of barn doors and their implementation.  We also found many trending ideas on Pinterest that demonstrate great uses of barn doors as accents in new and existing homes.

Many of the hottest trends in new and existing homes also include adding more ‘green’ or low-impact designs that include sustainable features.  Today’s home buyers are more conscious of the bigger picture and want to incorporate environmental features into their overall design.

Although there are many trends, and they ebb and flow year after year, it is important (as a builder, real estate agent or home seller) to keep your finger on the pulse of those making the buying decisions. Adding these features to an existing home can aid in the selling process and asking price. Including them in the design plans of a new construction will differentiate your home from others on the market.