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7 Trending Interior Design Ideas
Designers are always finding new ways to explore and celebrate modern design. New trends are emerging every day and can provide excellent inspiration for home interiors and exteriors alike. If you’re interested in giving your interior design a fresh update, here are some of the biggest trends in modern design right now:
Rattan
Rattan has become popular for much more than the patio. Beyond rattan furniture, decorative items like rattan lamp shades are a huge trend in modern design. Try a rattan pendant light or end table to get started with this trend.
Found Object Displays
In terms of decor, found objects are trending in modern design right now. “Found objects” include items that are not meant to be art but still look interesting. Try displaying sculptural pieces made of stone, wood or metal on your shelves or console table.
Combining Stripes
Combining different sizes and colors of striped materials is a popular trend in modern interior design. Try mixing thick stripes with pinstripes and everything in between. The easiest place to start with this trend is with accessories like throw blankets, accent pillows or bed linens.
Textured Furniture
Smooth surfaces have definitely taken second place to highly textured furniture styles. Flat vertical slats are one example of this trend you can find on many styles of furniture, from tables to kitchen cabinets. Surface details like grooves and patterns are something to consider for this trend.
Statement Vases
For a trendy decor idea, try displaying a vase on its own rather than as an accessory to flowers. Statement vases can make a bold impact by adding color, pattern and texture to your displays and surfaces. Forgo the flowers and show off the vase itself as a piece of art.
Pink Kitchens & Bathrooms
Pale pink has become extremely popular both in kitchen and bathroom color schemes. Blush tones combine well with metallic brass and stainless steel for cabinets and fixtures and surfaces like concrete or wood also play nicely with various shades of pink. It’s an extremely versatile color that can work in a lot of established color schemes.
Textured Walls
Textured walls continue to be a rising trend in modern interior design. This trend encompasses a broad range of ideas, including hanging tapestries or rugs on the wall. Otherwise you could opt for texture wallpaper or 3D carved wood panels to add depth and interest to any room.
These are just some of the hot modern trends that designers are using right now. If your home needs a style refresh, try one of these ideas for a trendy makeover perfect for any room.
How to Add Marble to Your Home Decor
Marble has always been a luxurious choice for interior finishes. However, while it remains an expensive choice, it’s much more accessible and easy to use in everyday homes than before. If you can splurge on marble finishes, the choice can increase the value of your home and create a sense of luxury in your life. Here are some ways you can add marble to your decor:
Marble Kitchen Backsplash
For a luxurious take on a classic design choice, try a marble backsplash in your kitchen. This lets you enjoy using the material without spending a fortune on larger installations like countertops. You can find marble in many colors to match your existing kitchen palette, or you can create a whole aesthetic based around the backsplash.
Marble Wall Art
Another way to decorate with marble is by using a marble slab as a piece of statement art. Affix a beautiful piece of marble to any wall and you have an art piece that doesn’t even need a frame. This option gives you an opportunity to be creative with things like shape and color. Try multiple small pieces and hang them gallery-style or choose one large piece cut into a geometric shape rather than a basic rectangle.
Marble Accent Wall
For those who want to go a little further with marble decor, try covering an entire wall. A marble accent wall makes a perfect decorative addition to a bathroom or any other room where you want to add some luxury. For a dramatic focal point, renovate your fireplace to surround it entirely with a marble wall. You can choose from countless color options and enjoy a unique accent wall that’s sure to enhance any space.
Marble Slab Table
From tiny accent tables to grand formal dining tables, there are lots of options for using marble as a surface in your decor. A small marble slab with natural wood makes an upscale yet rustic accent piece. A long dining room table made from a marble slab makes any dining area feel more classy. One popular marble trend for tables is rough-hewn edges made to seem like natural wood. Combine this with marble coloring that mimics the appearance of wood grain and you have a beautiful surface area suitable for any size of table.
Marble can seem intimidating to work with, but it pays off in the level of luxury and timeless beauty it can bring to your space. Try these ideas if you’re thinking about using marble as part of your home décor.
DIY: 6 Simple Home Repairs
Knowing how to do some home repairs can help you save money and time. Instead of having to wait for professional repairs to be done, you can tackle these on your own. While it’s best to leave major repairs to professionals, consider trying the following simple DIY repairs.
Torn Screens
When your window screens have tears or rips, bugs can get in; so, it’s important to repair these as soon as you can. For smaller tears, put a coat of clear nail polish on the area. The nail polish helps hold the mesh together without affecting the screen’s appearance.
Bigger tears can be fixed with some repair tape made specifically for window screens or repair patches. In some cases, your window screens might have major rips or tears that can’t be patched or fixed. You’ll need to remove these screens and replace them with new ones.
Creaky Doors
Doors in your home can creak if the hinges need lubrication. If you have creaky doors, silicone spray on the hinges can help eliminate this noise. Using this spray also helps ensure that your doors open and close smoothly.
Locks Sticking
Having locks that stick can make it hard for you to get in and out of your home. Instead of risking being locked out or in, use some powdered graphite on the keyhole and latch. Powdered graphite can help loosen up these locks without attracting debris and dirt as WD-40 and similar products do.
Fill Holes
If you have small holes in your walls from hanging shelves, pictures and other items, they can look unsightly when these items are removed. Whether you’re redecorating or preparing to paint, you should fill in these holes. To do this, apply premixed spackling paste to the holes with a putty knife. Go over these areas with a sanding sponge to smooth them out.
Weatherstripping Doors
Your doors shouldn’t have any gaps around the edges when they’re closed. If they do, this means air is leaking out of your home. Apply self-adhesive rubber foam weatherstripping around doors that lead outside to prevent air leaks.
Broken Tile
If you have a broken floor tile in your home, you can replace it with a new one. Scrape the old grout from around the tile, which should make it easier to remove. Place polyurethane glue on the back of the new tile, and place painter’s tape around it until the glue fully dries.
Equity Gains for Today’s Homeowners
Today’s homeowners are sitting on significant equity, even as home price appreciation has eased recently. If you’re a homeowner, your net worth got a boost over the past few years thanks to rising home prices. Here’s what it means for you, even as the market moderates.
How Equity Has Grown in Recent Years
Because of the imbalance between how many homes were for sale and the number of homebuyers in the market over the past few years, home prices appreciated substantially.
And while price appreciation has slowed this year, that doesn’t mean you’ve lost all the equity in your home. In fact, the latest Homeowner Equity Insights report from CoreLogic finds the average homeowner’s equity has grown by $34,300 over the past year alone.
And if you’ve been in your home longer than that, chances are you have even more equity than you realize.
While that’s the national number, if you want to know what happened in your area, look at the map below from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). It shows on average how much home prices have risen over the past five years, which has been a major driver behind equity growth.
Why This Is So Important Right Now
While equity helps increase your overall net worth, it can also help you achieve other goals, like buying your next home. When you sell your current house, the equity you’ve built up comes back to you in the sale, and it may be just what you need to cover a large portion – if not all – of the down payment on your next home.
So, if you’ve been holding off on selling, it may be time to find out how much equity you have and how it can help fuel your next move.
Bottom Line
Homeownership is a long game, and if you’re planning to make a move, the equity you’ve gained over time can make a big impact. To find out just how much equity you have in your current home and how you can use it to fuel your next purchase, let’s connect.
Why It May Be Time To Add Newly Built Homes to Your Search
If you put a pause on your home search because you weren’t sure where you’d go once you sold your house, it might be a good time to get back into the market. If you’re willing to work with a trusted agent to consider a newly built home, you may have even more options and incentives than you realize. That may be why the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says the share of buyers looking for new construction is increasing:
“According to the quarterly Housing Trends Report, the popularity of new construction homes is continuing to rebound . . .”
Here’s a few reasons more buyers may be drawn to newly built homes.
More Options To Choose from and Potential Builder Incentives
When looking for a home, you can choose between existing homes (those that are already built and previously owned) and newly constructed ones. While the inventory of existing homes has increased this year, it’s still below more typical years like 2019. Currently, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there is a 3.2-month supply at the current sales pace. For reference, a roughly 6-month supply is considered a balanced market, leaving us in a sellers’ market today.
While it’s a smaller segment of the overall inventory of homes for sale, the supply of newly built homes has grown even more. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) explains:
“New single-family home inventory remained elevated at a 9.2 months’ supply (of varying stages of construction). A measure near a 6 months’ supply is considered balanced.”
Here’s why this matters for you. While you have more homes to choose from in either category, there’s one extra benefit of newly built homes. Because the inventory of newly built homes has grown so much, builders are motivated to sell their properties before they build more.
Back in the housing crash of 2008, builders were building too many homes, and that oversupply is part of what contributed to the housing bubble bursting. Now, builders don’t want to have a surplus of inventory in their pipeline, and many are offering buyers incentives to help move that inventory along. As Doug Duncan, Chief Economist at Fannie Mae, explains:
“. . . a continual increase in the number of completed homes available for sale is now occurring, with the inventories of such homes now at the highest level since July 2020. . . . This suggests to us that builders may be increasingly willing to offer more aggressive incentives and discounts to maintain sales of completed inventory.”
While specifics will vary by builder and market, some buyers are seeing builders reduce prices and offer incentives. To find out what’s available in your area, lean on a trusted real estate professional.
Lifestyle Benefits of Buying a Newly Built Home
In addition to more supply and the potential for builder incentives, newly built homes have various benefits that may suit your lifestyle. For example, you likely won’t have as many little repairs to tackle, like leaky faucets, shutters to paint, and other odd jobs around the house. That can free up time for you to do other things you’re passionate about.
Another perk of a new home is that nothing in the house is used. It’s brand new and uniquely yours from day one. You’ll have all new appliances, windows, roofing, and more. These things can help lower your energy costs, which can add up to significant savings over time. You may even have the latest and greatest technology features built into your new home.
Builder sums up why some buyers today are turning to newly built homes:
“For some, it’s the lure of something new and modern. For others, it’s the move-in ready experience. And now there’s another factor to consider when making this decision: technology.”
If any of these benefits appeal to you, it’s time to connect with a trusted real estate advisor to learn more.
Bottom Line
If you’re considering a newly built home, let’s connect so you have an expert guide on what’s available in our local market. Together we’ll explore your options and the benefits of an all-new home.
Getting started with outdoor decor
No matter the size or shape of your yard or patio, it’s helpful to know the basics of using outdoor decor. You can decorate for specific occasions or change the entire aesthetic of your space in myriad ways – many without breaking the bank. Here are some common questions about decorating outdoors and tips to help you get started:
How do you decorate an outdoor area?
When decorating an outdoor area, try starting with lighting. Replace any existing light fixtures with more stylish options, and add more accent lighting to create ambiance. Hang a chic pendant light from a covered porch, or add magic with twinkling string lights.
Once you have your lighting, focus on defining the space. Combine an outdoor area rug with matching outdoor pillows for a simple outdoor decor formula.
What about outdoor decor on a budget?
Upcycling is a great way to decorate an outdoor living space on a budget. Consider repurposing old furniture pieces to give them new life outside. A fresh coat of paint and some weatherproofing can transform almost anything into patio furniture on a budget.
How do you weatherproof outdoor decorations?
It’s important to protect your decorative items from the elements, no matter the time of year. Use a clear polyurethane sealant on wood-based pieces. To prevent wind-related damage, weigh down your outdoor decor by anchoring lightweight pieces to the ground, wall or a heavy object.
Can I temporarily decorate for company or special occasions?
Decorating an outdoor space with seasonal or holiday flair is a fun way to celebrate and show your creative side. When choosing more temporary decorative items, opt for those you can reuse the following year. If you’re decorating for a special occasion, make sure to store these special pieces safely for later use.
What about semi-permanent decorations?
You can add a personal touch to your outdoor space without the need to change things constantly. Simple updates like adding new outdoor furniture or refreshing the garden will keep your space feeling stylish and low-maintenance.
Are you ready to get started on your outdoor decor project? Keep these tips in mind to create the perfect vibe for your outdoor living area.
More People Are Finding the Benefits of Multigenerational Households Today
If you’re thinking of buying a home and living with siblings, parents, or grandparents, then multigenerational living may be for you. The Pew Research Center defines a multigenerational household as a home with two or more adult generations. And the number of individuals choosing multigenerational living has increased over the past 50 years.
As you consider this option for your own home search, know it could help you on your homeownership journey and provide you with other incredible benefits along the way.
Living with Loved Ones Could Help You Achieve Your Homeownership Goals
There are several reasons people choose to live in a multigenerational household, and for many, the arrangement is a personal one. But according to the Pew Research Center, the top reason people choose to live together today is financial.
A recent study from Freddie Mac also finds more people are choosing to buy a home together so they can save money in the homebuying process. As the study says:
“. . . an increasing percentage of young adult first-time homebuyers are relying on support from older generations, including their parents, to buy a home together.”
For these individuals, combining their resources can help them achieve their dream of buying and owning a home. By pooling their incomes together to make that purchase, they may be able to afford a home they couldn’t on their own.
Other Key Benefits of Multigenerational Living
Not to mention, living in a home with loved ones can have other benefits too, like giving you more quality time to spend together. Darla Mercado, Certified Financial Planner and Markets Editor for CNBC.com, explains how this living arrangement can help on a personal and financial level:
“Residing with relatives can offer advantages . . . you can pool multiple streams of income, for instance. And in households with young children, grandparents can pitch in with child care.”
If this sounds like a great option for you, it’s important to work with a trusted real estate professional to discuss your needs. They can help you navigate the process to find the right home for you and your loved ones.
Bottom Line
More people are discovering the benefits of multigenerational living. For the best information and help deciding what’s right for your personal situation, let’s connect and start the conversation today.
Why It’s Easy To Fall in Love with Homeownership
No matter how the housing market changes, there are some things about owning a home that never change—like the personal benefits it can provide. When you own your home, you likely feel a sense of attachment because of the comfort it gives and also because it’s a space that’s truly yours.
Over the last few years, we’ve fully embraced the meaning of our homes as we spent more time than ever in them. As a result, the emotional benefits our homes provide have become even more important to us.
As the most recent State of the American Homeowner from Unison puts it:
“. . . one thing has stayed the same: the home continues to be of the utmost importance and a place of security and comfort.”
The same study from Unison notes:
- 91% of homeowners say they feel secure, stable, or successful owning a home
- 64% of American homeowners say living through a pandemic has made their home more important to them than ever
It’s no surprise this study also reveals that homeowners now love their homes even more as our attachments to them have grown:
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) also explains:
“In addition to tangible financial benefits, homeownership brings substantial social benefits for [households], communities, and the country as a whole.”
In other words, not only does owning a home build your net worth over time, but it also gives you and your loved ones a place to thrive. And by living near people with shared experiences, homeownership helps you connect with your community and contribute meaningfully.
Bottom Line
Whether you’re thinking of buying your first home, moving up to your dream home, or downsizing to something that better fits your changing lifestyle, let me be the key to unlocking a home you can truly fall in love with.
Are Raised Brick Flower Gardens The Right Choice for Your Landscape?
Although ground-level perennial flowers and native grasses enhance any landscape, hardscape elements make a significant difference. Raising gardens by employing brick, stone and other masonry products elevates a property’s aesthetic value and curbside appeal. But with wide-reaching landscape designs and assets available, property owners are sometimes tasked with difficult decisions. If you are considering raised brick flower gardens, the following information could prove valuable.
What Is A Raised Brick Flower Garden?
A raised brick or hardscape flower garden typically involves creating a four-sided or round masonry structure that stands upwards of two feet. The exterior hardscape materials may be secured in place by employing ready-mix concrete or mortar. Once the mix hardens, the interior is usually filled with topsoil or potting mixtures. Home gardens then plant desirable flowers and grasses to beautify the grounds.
What Are Benefits Of Installing Raised Brick Gardens?
Raised gardens are widely used for vegetables, and plenty of crossover benefits exist regarding flower beds. Along with the eye-catching appeal, perhaps the primary reason gardeners like elevation stems from weeding. Raised gardens rarely require people to bend low or get down on their hands and knees to remove weeds.
The following rank among other leading benefits of leveraging raised gardens.
- Improved water retention in areas with dense soil conditions.
- Loose soil improves growing conditions for plant life.
- Raised flower beds can be planted earlier in the season.
- Bricks allow gardeners to cover plants more easily in the event of a killing frost.
- Elevated gardens avoid inadvertent trampling by children and family pets.
Heights tend to deter wildlife, such as rabbits, from nibbling on young plants.
Not every landscape lends itself to red brick, concrete pavers or stone materials for raised gardens. But property owners would be well-served to conduct some due diligence about these hardscape enhancements.
Are Raised Brick Gardens Cost-Effective?
Homeowners enjoy tremendous investment flexibility concerning raised flower gardens. Those on a tight monthly budget and some DIY motivation can install these hardscape elements without hiring a mason. Common bricks generally run 8 inches long and 2 ¼ inches high. These relatively lightweight products require a concrete layer of about 3/8-inches. By using a leveling line, trowel and cement barrel to mix the concrete, handy homeowners can build raised brick gardens.
Those who are not necessarily handy can purchase traditional brick or pre-formed concrete pavers and simply stack them to the desired height. Once in place, home gardeners shovel in the dirt and plant flora. Complex designs may require professional masonry skills to complete. This financial flexibility means homeowners can invest resources and sweat equity as they see fit.
The Two Big Issues the Housing Market’s Facing Right Now
The biggest challenge the housing market’s facing is how few homes there are for sale. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains the root causes of today’s low supply:
“Two dynamics are keeping existing-home inventory historically low – rate-locked existing homeowners and the fear of not finding something to buy.”
Let’s break down these two big issues in today’s housing market.
Rate-Locked Homeowners
According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the average interest rate for current homeowners with mortgages is less than 4% (see graph below):
But today, the typical mortgage rate offered to buyers is over 6%. As a result, many homeowners are opting to stay put instead of moving to another home with a higher borrowing cost. This is a situation known as being rate locked.
When so many homeowners are rate locked and reluctant to sell, it’s a challenge for a housing market that needs more inventory. However, experts project mortgage rates will gradually fall this year, and that could mean more people will be willing to move as that happens.
The Fear of Not Finding Something To Buy
The other factor holding back potential sellers is the fear of not finding another home to buy if they move. Worrying about where they’ll go has left many on the sidelines as they wait for more homes to come to the market. That’s why, if you’re on the fence about selling, it’s important to consider all your options. That includes newly built homes, especially right now when builders are offering concessions like mortgage rate buydowns.
What Does This Mean for You?
These two issues are keeping the supply of homes for sale lower than pre-pandemic levels. But if you want to sell your house, today’s market is a sweet spot that can work to your advantage.
Be sure to work with a local real estate professional to explore the options you have right now, which could include leveraging your current home equity. According to ATTOM:
“. . . 48 percent of mortgaged residential properties in the United States were considered equity-rich in the fourth quarter, meaning that the combined estimated amount of loan balances secured by those properties was no more than 50 percent of their estimated market values.”
This could make a major difference when you move. Work with a local real estate expert to learn how putting your equity to work can keep the cost of your next home down.
Bottom Line
Rate-locked homeowners and the fear of not finding something to buy are keeping housing inventory low across the country. But as mortgage rates start to come down this year and homeowners explore all their options, we should expect more homes to come to the market.
