APPLIANCES

Cool colours
Today’s hot new appliances come in a variety of cool new shades in matte and satin finishes, including rose gold, soft bronze and champagne, and uber-popular black and dark grey. Most are fingerprint and smudge proof. At the other end of that spectrum is high-gloss white updated with stainless handles and accents. Many of the colours and surfaces appear to be inspired by the shades and finishes of today’s most popular smartphones, but having so many choices makes sense for homeowners looking for better continuity in today’s open-concept home designs.

Smart, synched, stylish
It’s all about design, performance and connectivity. Connected appliances are great choices for convenience and peace of mind — being able to preheat your oven remotely and check that you’ve turned off the stove or closed the refrigerator door is important for busy consumers. Innovative features like oven French doors that make it easier to open in tight spaces and smartphone-inspired touch-and-swipe cooktop controls are appealing to buyers, as well as time-saving features, such as induction cooktops and all-in-one washer/dryers.

FLOORING

Besides hardwood
There are so many great-looking cost-efficient options that look like hardwood and other high-end materials such as marble, but are actually laminate, vinyl and ceramic tile, including textured and distressed options.

Going green
Natural, recycled and materials obtained from sustainable sources are very popular with consumers who are environmentally concerned, and they are also becoming more affordable. Options include cork, bamboo, reclaimed wood and engineered wood floors made from recycled materials.

On the carpet
With all the attention to hardwoods, tile and other hard-surface flooring choices, you may think that carpet is a thing of the past. But consumers are still choosing carpet and part of this response may be the growing selection of options: patterns, colours, designs, and variety of look and feel. There are even water-resistant options.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

All kinds of blinds
There’s an abundance of great trends and many carry over into draperies as well. Nature-inspired choices and eco-friendly alternatives are very popular: bamboos, natural weaves and botanical prints. At the opposite end of contemporary choices, look for subway tile motifs, textured fabrics, fun geometric patterns, metallics and dark neutrals like slate grey, all among today’s hottest trends.

HARDWARE

New finishes
First it was chrome, then brushed nickel finishes topped the charts. But today, anything goes. Brass is back — not the same brass as we remember from the ’80s, but a satin champagne gold as seen in jewellery and mobile phones. At the other end of the spectrum is elegant black, which generally is used to provide dramatic contrast in kitchens and baths. Antique or oil-rubbed bronze and antique copper are popular and make a great design impact. Two-tone looks are also new and very chic: think a combination of satin nickel and brass or chrome for a stylish statement.

FURNISHINGS

Nature or neutral
For many home designs, furnishings start with warm earthy colours like tan, warm browns, red-browns like sienna and terracotta, mixed with accent shades like greens, yellows and shades of red. Or, neutrals like greys (particularly dark grey), dark blues and cream, which can be dressed up with dramatic jewel tones or soft pastels. Add some warm lighting and cozy rugs for a space that’s all about comfort.

Think minimalist
Gone are the days when we fill our homes with all sorts of oversize furnishings, an abundance of tchotchkes and, basically, too much stuff. Downsize, purge and minimize are all key words when it comes to creating a comfortable space in today’s design world.

Vintage glam 
At the other end of the spectrum, however, is the luxe look of vintage — luscious fabrics like velvet, deep pile carpets, tufted and quilted fabrics, shiny metallics, rich hues and curvy furnishings are all making a striking comeback. It’s a wonderful way to create a glamorous, personalized, charming living space.