2016-17 Home Remodeling Design Trends in Silicon Valley

2016-17 Home Remodeling Design Trends in Silicon Valley
(Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, and Saratoga)

As 2016 winds to an end, we thought it would be the perfect time to share some of the hottest home remodeling design trends we are seeing in the surrounding areas of Silicon Valley, particularly Las Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, and Saratoga. Beware! You may just be inspired to test out some of these remodeling design trends in your own home!

Timeless Design

Many homeowners are choosing to honor the time period of their older 1940’s or 1950’s homes by remodeling with the original style in mind. Thanks to TV shows like Mad Men, mid-century modern is all the rage. Some homeowners are choosing to transform their regular ranch-style homes into mid-century modern. With its emphasis on simpler forms, contemporary patterns, organic materials and seamless flow between indoors and out; this remodeling design style is more popular than ever.

Kitchens

Kitchens remain one of the most common rooms in the home to remodel and there is no shortage of fabulous design trends to incorporate into your own kitchen.

Two-Toned Cabinets and Oversized Kitchen Islands – Two-toned cabinets are a beautiful new trend in kitchen design. This concept allows you to utilize more than one color to break up a monotone look and design something that is really unique and beautiful. Utilize this trend to either contrast or complement a color scheme. For example, using dark cabinets below and lighter upper cabinets above help make the kitchen feel more open and airy; or using two colors from the same palette is a great way to create visual interest.

We’re also seeing a lot of shaker style cabinets, which blend both modern and traditional design, creating a very clean, sophisticated look that transcends time.

The open floor plan, larger-sized kitchen islands, which serve not only as ample prep space for cooking but also are conducive for entertaining friends and family. We are even seeing homeowners requesting that their kitchen island stand out as a focal point by choosing a unique color scheme (or unique countertop material) that separate it from the rest of the kitchen.

Kitchens for the Cook – The kitchen also remains at the heart of the home and many homeowners (especially those who love to cook) are choosing to customize their kitchen to fit both their design and culinary sensibilities.

Who needs fingerprints? While stainless steel appliances are still quite popular, many are tired of the constant need to wipe away those pesky fingerprints. Instead, many are opting for cabinet door covered appliances, which not only create a cohesive look but cuts down on cleaning. And, what cook doesn’t love that?

Range of Color for the Range – AGA style stoves (a heat storage stove and cooker, which works on the principle that a heavy frame made from cast iron components can absorb heat from a relatively low-intensity but continuously-burning source, and the accumulated heat can then be used when needed for cooking) are increasing in popularity and many are choosing a bold color for their range to act as a design element in their kitchen.

Multi-Height Counters – Many homeowners are rejecting the notion of “one size fits all” when it comes to the height of kitchen counters. Instead, they are opting for varied counter heights in different areas of the kitchen. Multi-height counters solve the problem of a tall cook having to bend forward all the time vs. a more petite person having to reach up and forward.

Baking enthusiasts are requesting baking “stations” with lower countertops reserved especially for rolling dough and creating delicious confections.

These multi-tiered counters are a great solution for multiple users, create additional design interest and help preserve the resale value of the home.

Bathrooms (Turn up the Style with Tile)

Vertical is the New Horizontal – Showers are experiencing a design facelift with the use of vertical mosaic accent bands instead of the traditional horizontal bands, which help create height and visual interest in smaller showers. Our Pinterest page features some great examples of how you can incorporate this cool look into your bathroom remodel.

Cement Tile with Moroccan Flair – As anyone who has worked on a bathroom remodel soon discovers, there is an endless supply of bathroom tile options to choose from; and, cement tile, in particular, is increasing in popularity. Cement tiles are made of concrete. The color in the pattern comes from mineral pigments which are mixed and poured into a mold. These intricate patterns are popular all over Morocco and many are looking to bring this beautiful look into their own homes.

Color

Color continues to be one of the easiest ways to make the biggest impact on a remodeled living space. Paint color can follow the trends of the seasons or even fashion for that matter. We’re seeing a lot of blue/grey color palettes used on walls and cabinetry. And, another popular choice that never seems to go out of style is a white-on-white color palette. Bright, cheery and timeless these white-on-white rooms are anything but boring!

Living Spaces

Larger Size Moldings – One of the last things to go into a remodeled space is the trim finishing details– baseboards, crown moldings, and other millwork all work together to create a “finished” look. A higher ceiling lends itself to larger-size moldings and many homeowners with more traditional style homes are opting for these larger size moldings as well.

Home is Where the Hearth Is – Clients remodeling older homes are transforming unused wood burning fireplaces into beautiful and cozy gathering places with natural gas fire inserts. Designs ranging from modern to traditional make it easy to find the perfect look!

Bringing the Outdoors In – Our warmer climates are inspiring a move away from homes with well-defined indoor and outdoor living spaces, and instead promoting a blend between the two. Design elements like floor-to-ceiling windows and retractable walls are used to create a seamless transition from the outdoors in, while the abundance of natural light helps make the space feel larger.

Tied to Technology

Charging areas and USB outlets are finding their way onto homeowners’ must-have remodeling lists, as people become more and more dependent on their technical devices. Instead of the traditional outlets, you find on many kitchen backsplashes, homeowners are opting for outlet strips hidden underneath the cabinets.

These are just a few of the home remodeling design trends we have been seeing in our area. Let us know what you think and if you are seeing other design trends circulating in Silicon Valley.

Are you inspired and ready to kickoff 2017 with a brand new kitchen or bathroom? Contact Acton ADU today! We would love to help guide you through the process of revitalizing your aging home.