2017 Home Design Trends from Acton ADU

Popular colors and remodeling design trends in Santa Clara County

As the end of the year approaches, many are predicting what the new trends will be for 2017. From heated floors to the revival of wallpaper, we have compiled a list of some of the hottest trends to consider and incorporate into your home remodeling plans.

Color of the Year

Every December a wide range of paint and design companies announce their “Color of the Year”. We’ve compiled this fabulous collage of colors trending for 2017 here:

With so many color choices, it’s hard to pick just one favorite. When it comes to interior design, we will be sure to recommend natural earth tone colors like Poised Taupe and Useful Gray, while colors like Shadow, Honey Glow, and Wanderlust will be used to create beautiful, bold accent walls for visual interest.

Kitchens are King

Kitchens are at the top of the list when it comes to the most remodeled room in the home. Far from just a utilitarian space, kitchens continue to be the area where families spend most of their time and where a majority of family gatherings take place.

Tuxedo Kitchen Cabinets – This monochromatic color blocking trend is a continuation of the two-toned cabinets we’ve been seeing this past year. As its name suggests, black and white are used interchangeably to create a modern fresh look and feel.

Specialty Storage

From Pinterest to Houzz, homeowners are searching for specialty storage ideas for their kitchens, particularly how to transform unused nooks and crannies into usable storage space. Some of these storage solutions include appliance garages to hide small appliances, custom cabinets to hold oversized bake ware and narrow pull out drawers for spices and condiments.

White Wood Paneling (Shiplap)

Fresh, clean, bright and airy, white remains the popular kitchen color choice. This timeless, classic look can be accomplished with a stylish, white subway tile backsplash or white shiplap, a rough-sawn pine paneling often used in barns and historical homes. Shiplap can either be used solely for the backsplash, or the entire kitchen. Depending on the right décor, this crisp, white paneling will stand the test of time.

Appliances Make Their Mark

Kitchen appliances are no longer just an afterthought when design is concerned. With a variety of colors and designs to choose from, appliances are becoming a key design element in the overall look and feel of the kitchen.

Blend in or Stand Out? – A popular trend is to blend appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators into the cabinetry for a seamless look.

Others, however, are choosing to have their appliances take center stage in the overall design of their kitchen by choosing appliances with bold colors and accents.

Fabulous Flooring (and Walls)

Cork flooring has gained popularity as a renewable resource and is known for its acoustic properties (it deadens sound) and feels soft underfoot. It can also be stained in a variety of colors to achieve a custom look.

Transitional Flooring will be another popular design opportunity for home renovations, particularly with open floor plans. Be sure to check out these fabulous examples from Houzz showing how several designers successfully handled transitions in flooring.

According to remodeling experts, warm-toned terracotta tile will make a comeback in 2017. They won’t be the old school glazed tiles. Instead, you will see designers using unglazed, natural terracotta tiles in contemporary shapes.

Pinterest has released its top 100 pins of 2016 and radiant heating made the cut. Compared to other sources of heat such as forced air and steam, radiant heated floors reign superior with their quiet, even distribution of heat. They may even actually lower your utility bills. According to Bob Vila, hydronic floor heating systems are up to 30% more efficient than forced-air systems. For your next remodel, consider radiant heating to maximize the heating efficiency of your home, while keeping your feet toasty warm.

Faux Wallpaper is another trend carrying into 2017. These natural looking wallpapers are perfect for homeowners who want their walls to look neat, clean and striking.

LED Lighting Leads the Way

In a previous blog article, we describe the importance of “layered lighting” as part of your overall home remodeling plan. Another important consideration when it comes to lighting is energy efficiency. According to Jan Kemeling of Kitchen & Bath Design News, “LED technology has changed significantly in the past two years, and now there are many excellent products with warmer colors and high color renderings that are ideal for all residential applications.”

Consumers can get the best of both worlds between superior light quality, longer lamp life, and an incredible eighty percent energy savings. As you incorporate lighting into your remodeling plans in 2017, you can expect LED products to become more widely available and affordable.

As a Design-Build contractor, Acton ADU always tries to keep a pulse on what is trending in home design. What are you seeing are popular design trends in Santa Clara County? What design trends are you considering for your home in 2017? We’d love to hear from you.

Are you inspired and ready to kick off 2017 with a brand-new kitchen, bathroom or other living space? Contact Acton ADU to get a discussion started!

We would love to help guide you through the process of revitalizing your aging home.