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Not all that glitters will give you a good return on investment. Say you pour a few thousand bucks into lavish lighting fixtures. You might think your sparkling ceiling-mounted lights will dazzle buyers when you’re trying to sell your home.

In reality, many glitzy home improvement projects like this will be a turnoff for home buyers. Your expensive renovation project could even be ripped out of the house once the purchaser signs the final contract. Not only did your project put off buyers, but it was all for nothing.

If you aren’t careful about home renovations, you could lose a ton of cash. Here are some renovations we think you should carefully consider before going ahead.

• Wallpaper: It’s an acquired taste. Plus, it takes a long time to remove. Older wallpaper leaves sticky residue in its wake. You might even find wall damage underneath the paper! It’s better to paint your walls a single colour.

• Constructing a high-end master suite. While it makes your home more impressive, it also comes with a ROI average of 47.7%. That means you probably won’t recoup half of what you spent.

• Major kitchen remodels: You install custom cabinets, new lighting, stone countertops and expensive appliances. This is something you do for your own enjoyment rather than the desire to make your money back.

• Combining bedrooms: Sure, maybe this will work for your needs, but down the line, it might throw off buyers. People want more rooms for their own uses. Turning a 3-bedroom home into one with only two could lower your home’s value. Usually, the more rooms the better.

• Tile patterns: If you have unique, personalized tiling, that can put buyers off. Instead of admiring the pattern, they might be thinking about how much time and money a replacement project would take. It’s okay to have an upgraded tile floor, but don’t go for something out there like black-and-white tiles.

• Wall-to-wall carpeting: Just like with tiles, buyers will see this feature as a potential cost. They’ll wonder how much it will cost to remove. Just think about it: Who wants a carpet in the kitchen? Wall-to-wall carpeting doesn’t offer much flexibility when it comes to flooring, so avoid this excess.

• Bold paint colours: Maybe you really love dark red walls or bright purple to set the mood. But this might put off buyers. If there’s too much of “you” in the house, buyers might not be able to see themselves living here. Use something simple and neutral instead. Here are some of the best paint colours for selling your home.

• Mismatched architecture styles: Say you have a home with a main exterior that matches Spanish eclectic architecture. But the windows are styled like Tudor houses, or the interior is Colonial. Incongruent details can weird out buyers and throw the look of the house off.

• Sunken den: Sunken living rooms were all the rage in the 1960s. Over time, they fell out of fashion, but if you love that groovy look, you might consider upgrading your home to add more dimension to your living space. Sure, it can make your home feel more spacious. Sure, it’s a cosy place for intimate entertainment. But it’s not easy for people with mobility issues — and it comes with a big risk of falling and injuries.

• Fancy textures on the walls or ceilings: You might like the way this looks. But like many other features on this list, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Many buyers will sigh and think to themselves, “It’s going to cost a pretty penny to get rid of this.”

If you are thinking about renovating, then give the team a call to discuss your thoughts, our experts will advise you on your best options moving forward and give you their honest and professional opinion on what may or may not work for you home.

Are you planning your new home design? Wondering which new home design trends you could incorporate?

Or are you considering renovating part of your home?

With the new year, several new home design trends have sprouted. Many designers and building and renovation experts have said that the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced new home design trends for 2021. There is now a fundamental change in how we view our homes.

Vogue recently asked several top designers what they think would be the new home design trends for this year. The prevailing answer was that home design for 2021 will equate to comfort, especially since people are now spending more time at home, even in locations where the lockdown has been lifted.

Other design trends incorporate multi-functional living spaces to accommodate increasing work from home setups, and even ways to accommodate new hobbies that started during the pandemic. Even upgrades to new home technology are on the rise.

Here are some new home trends to consider:

Home offices

Many people don’t like to bring work home but were “forced” to do so during the pandemic. Working at the kitchen table or in the living room is definitely not appealing for many. Not only do you need a conducive environment to work, but also a space that looks presentable during those frequent video calls and online meetings.

Nature overload

Most of us love outdoor living. There is a growing trend in connecting the outdoor area to the indoors, as well as choosing materials with earthly, natural and organic feels. Having natural light, with floor-to-ceiling windows, without having to leave the house is a popular trend.

For outdoor settings, designs are predicted to be lush and highlighted with people having strong desire to connect with nature this year.

Outdoor dining areas

With people staying more at home, dining out with family and friends less often, outdoor entertainment is highlighted in home designs. Whether it’s a gazebo, a deck or patio, the outdoor space now increasingly doubly functions as an open-air dining area.

Adaptable living space

Again, having a multi-purpose area is in. Consider having a space with non-permanent walls which can be shifted to extend the room. Your home will be adaptable to the needs of your family.

Colourful and homely colours

Several designers are predicting that neutral colours will be out, and more colourful interiors will be in. Colours like yellow or a contrasting pop of colour added in a room with a more neutral tone. People want to stay away from any feeling of bleakness.

We had a tough year in 2020, and people want to have a more positive vibe in the house, which could be translated through colours.

Changes in the bathroom

Copper and brass for fixtures in the bathroom, not only because of their chic style but also because of their antibacterial qualities. You could also consider incorporating smart bathroom ideas, like automatic washbasins and touchless flushing toilets.

Designer kitchens

It is not a surprise that a lot of people found cooking and baking as a new pastime last year.

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, and for 2021, a spacious, functional but very stylish kitchen is a must. A kitchen that is fit for a chef is the trend this year.

To discuss the new home design trends that you could implement in a new home for you and your family, contact All Spec Build WA for a free consultation.

A revival of old-fashioned styles, arts and craft and organic textures are just some of the trends we can expect to see more of in 2021.

2020 has been a challenging year to say the least and with so much change and uncertainty impacting our lives right now, it can be hard to even look ahead, let alone plan-ahead.

COVID-19 has dramatically changed the way we live, so it’s not surprising it is already having a huge influence on the way we design, decorate, and use our homes.

Interior design trends don’t evolve in a bubble. They are a direct response to world events and 2020 is as they say ‘unprecedented’.

Here we share an insight into some of the interior trends we can expect to see more of this into 2021.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

The pandemic is a perfect storm for DIYers. We have time at home to relearn handicrafts as we create personal pieces for the home. We will be experimenting with ceramics, tie-dye, quilting, knitting and macramé. Not only do we find satisfaction and pride in our newly learned skills, but old-fashioned crafts to help calm anxieties.

GRANDMILLENNIAL STYLE

Speaking of old-fashioned crafts, it seems as though Millennials are growing tired of same-same spaces, white-on-white interiors, and the pressure to be ‘modern’ and are instead seeking respite in the revival of traditional styles. Just like feminine florals, gingham prints, puffy sleeves and frills are back on the catwalk, Chintz, micro florals, wicker and cane furniture, antiques, fringing, and wallpaper are back in Vogue thanks to a new trend known as Grandmillennial style.

NATURAL TEXTURES

We will see a lot of strong textures such as more rustic looking wood where we can feel the grain and natural stone full of character. We will embrace the imperfections of authentic natural materials and move away from look-alike materials like porcelain with a marble look and sleek looking man-made surfaces. We want to see and feel materials with natural textures like wool, linen, wood, and stone – the opposite of the screens we spend a lot of hours looking at.

CHEERFUL COLOURS

During this time in the middle of a pandemic we feel uncertain and frankly, things are looking bleak. The last thing we want is for our homes to look dull and depressing especially as we’re spending more time than ever at home. Expect to be seeing a move away from colourless shades of grey, black and white that makes us feel nothing. More than ever, we need to feel optimistic, so we turn to yellow. Yellow is a friendly colour, it’s happy and a little simple.

Yellow in our homes it may seem unusual and even a little scary but used the right way it gives a cheerful cosiness. From sophisticated ochres and mustard to blonde and warm beige and bold yellow, there are many tones of yellow that make it accessible to use at home.

EVERYDAY LUXURIES

We’re spending more time than ever at home and need our homes to make us feel good. The ‘lipstick effect’ during COVID might be a luxury scented candle, new bed linen, beautiful cushions, or a luxurious scented hand soap. These small things for the home give us an uplift and brighten up our environment. Rather than spending on a large renovation, they are an inexpensive way to bring about some cheerful changes at home.

BUYING LOCAL

People are showing a greater tendency to buy locally, a “huge shift in thinking as we look to avoid lengthy shipping delays from overseas suppliers. We’re looking at local makers for special custom pieces such as entertainment units and dining tables. There will be a renewed interest in locally made pieces that are unique to our needs and taste.

At All Spec Build WA we want to help you achieve your dream home goals. Give the team a call to 6373 2494 to discuss how you can make those goals a reality.

1. The rise of a subdued natural aesthetic

As a counterbalance to technological advances (such as the commercialisation of space travel), soon our homes’ looks will lean toward down-to-earth interiors. Think decor that promotes balance and wellness, acceptance, and calm, alongside an understanding that simple, decluttered spaces are healthful mentally and physically. Expect this to be seen in the rise of:

Shimmering metallics, including an increased use of copper, which has antimicrobial qualities, to rival black as an accent colour in the kitchen and bathroom.

Neutral colours and earth tones.

Natural materials.

Simple chunky shapes.

Elemental patterns in art and design.

2. Colour palettes that embrace browns, soft terracotta’s, and muted-stone hues

In line with embracing a natural aesthetic, colour palettes will begin to reflect more warm earth-fired colours such as metal ores, russet shades, soft terracotta, and browns.

These grounding colours work well with our bright, light-filled homes and predominantly white or neutral-hued interior walls.

3. Shapes and forms that reference a kind of ‘primitive minimalism’

Expect a rise in ‘caveman’ aesthetics and rustic minimalism soon. To some extent this reflects the collective psychological state of people who, having experienced Covid-19 lockdowns, are seeking products that can tangibly help them endure challenges.

Aesthetically this means a return to ‘basic-ness’ of style. Except, unlike the past when this celebrated mass manufacturing, inherent in this trend is the rejection of disposable culture and instead an embracing of artisan-made, ethically produced, imperfect-looking pieces that are robust and enduring.

Expect to see:

Exaggerations of scale.

Chunkiness of form.

Seating that is generously proportionally and sometimes deeply patterned.

4. Indigenous patterns, natural materials

Another important development is the display of materials and textiles that have a vegetal rawness and show the hand of people in their creation. Think wax-resist dyed fabrics, batik and Malian cotton.

Expect to see:

More Indigenous patterns and respectful references to Indigenous art.

Looking at building a designer home? Book All Spec Build WA in for a consult today the team will happily sit down with you to discuss your ideas.

If there’s one thing architects, interior experts, forecasters and leading designers agree on it’s this: our collective experience of lockdown will fundamentally alter the way we live in the future. Our recent awakening will change what we place importance on; from the materials we choose, to the design of our living spaces, who we live with, and how we want our spaces to interact with and ultimately fulfil us.

Read on for how thought leaders say the life-changing experiences of 2020 will play out in the near future. And a note that the links to further stories will give you a comprehensive overview and more insights into all the trends we see coming in the near future.

1. The rise of antibacterial materials and biodesign
If there’s one thing the pandemic has burned into our brains, it’s the importance of hygiene.

As individuals we’ve embraced hand washing, sanitising and the wearing of masks.

And just as sanitary practices have become a life-saving virtue, a rise in automatic washbasins, touch-less flushing systems, and infra-red sensors in our bathrooms will meet our desire to reduce excessive contact with surfaces.

There will be a greater demand for surface coatings that are bacteriostatic (capable of inhibiting the growth or reproduction of bacteria). Copper and its alloys, brass and bronze, fulfil this criteria so expect to see more tapware, and kitchen and bathroom fixtures such as sinks and splashbacks, made from these materials.

2. Tiles and bricks as the new vehicles for self-expression
Where once experimentation with colour and texture in a home was primarily through paint colour and application, it is now moving onto tiles – and bricks – with incredible results.

3. An increased focus on clever small home design and adaptive large-home layouts
Let’s start with what won’t be happening. The ‘big is good’, philosophy and fundamental belief in set layouts that can’t change and grow with a family will be revisited.

Our houses (and apartments) need to be designed to be more adaptable to provide opportunity for quiet. Open-plan living has its benefits but how to optimise space within our homes is more critical than ever.

There is an increasing necessity for creative solutions for living small. Younger generations are seeking creative space-planning solutions for small-footprint dwellings and apartments, driven both by housing affordability, construction costs and an environmental consciousness. You only need to look to Japan as proof that living small can be elegant and beautiful.

4. Nature as savior
Designing for wellbeing – green roofs, internal courtyards and external sightlines – is growing in importance.

Increasingly, architecture and interiors are looking for interesting ways to integrate nature throughout [a home]. Connection with nature is essential to wellbeing. When we design any space, the garden is a central part of the design-making process. The two need to work together and be seamlessly integrated.

If you are thinking of embracing any of the above, get in touch with the team today to discuss how we can help make it a reality.