New year, fresh design. If updating your home is on your list of resolutions—whether it’s one room or the whole house—look to these expert-identified trends to bring your spaces into 2019 in style.
Call it the “Chip and Joanna Gaines effect.” Made popular on the power couple’s HGTV hit Fixer Upper, this design aesthetic features white exteriors, steeper black pitched roofs, larger windows, and black window frames. “The word ‘farmhouse’ allows for some eclectic pieces, like Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn furnishings, pieces that have a more informal, weathered finish,” says Steven Kleineman of SKD Architects.
Expressing your personality through painted cabinetry in your kitchen or bath—in combination with refined, nutmeg-finished wood—continues to be a popular way to infuse a space with color, says Renae Keller of Renae Keller Interior Design. Try an on-trend teal, a classic navy hue, or, if you want to go really bold, Pantone’s Color of the Year: Living Coral. To keep the eye from feeling overwhelmed, pair the pop of color on the kitchen island, bathroom vanity, or lower cabinetry with upper cabinetry in a lighter shade, such as white, gray, or a natural wood tone.
High ceilings are out—more appropriately scaled spaces are in, says Kleineman. “Plans need to be open and flexible where people live and interact.” That being said, glass-and-steel room dividers are also making an appearance, giving the illusion of open concept, while still offering some privacy and spatial division.
Homeowners are amplifying natural light and bringing the outdoors inside with the help of large windows. “Marvin Windows just introduced Marvin Modern, a reaction to that, with very thin, almost commercial-like window frames to maximize the extent of glass,” says Kleineman.
You’ve no doubt noticed the increase in voice- and phone-controlled home amenities, such as automated lighting, whole-house sound systems, and security devices—and that trend isn’t slowing down in 2019, says North House Residential Design’s Vaughn Larson, who predicts this technology will start being integrated during the construction phase. “Look at commercials,” Kleineman adds. “Computer and Google Home automation commercials are set in cool surroundings that show off our connected approach to controlling our environment.”
Traditional hand-forged, weighty cabinetry hardware is getting a makeover for today’s homes in modern finishes, like polished nickel. For lighting, antique brass “is still here, and it looks smashing against wood and painted surfaces,” says Keller.
Taylor Hugo (taylorhugo.com) is a freelance writer and editor who has experience creating content for regional and national magazines, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between. After spending most of her life in Minnesota, she recently relocated to Colorado, where you’ll find her hiking the Rocky Mountains and decorating her first home that she shares with her husband and dog.
Choosing the right paint color for your home can be overwhelming. With endless shades and finishes available, it’s easy to make mistakes that lead to regret later. Here, Jean Haukaas, Hirshfield's Design Resource Showroom manager, shares some of the most common paint color mistakes homeowners make — and how to avoid them.
Older homes are desirable for their historic charm and established neighborhoods, but when it comes to amenities that promote health and overall wellbeing, your 1930s Tudor may be lacking. Through strategic remodeling, these older homes can be updated to meet contemporary wellness needs, whether it’s more windows to increase natural light, a reimagined kitchen that encourages cooking balanced meals, or smart features that make day-to-day life
a little easier.
Spring is the ideal time for a fresh start — especially when it comes to your home. Whether it’s through thoughtful decluttering or permanent design changes, transforming your home can be a powerful step toward creating a streamlined sanctuary that supports your overall health and wellbeing.
“Keeping your home clutter-free and organized creates a peaceful and functional space, reducing stress and making daily tasks easier,” says Kari Campbell, founder and principal designer at Kari Campbell Interiors. “Plus, it saves time when you know exactly where to find what you need. It’s all about creating a space that feels good to live in.”
Here, Twin Cities home professionals offer their tips to transform your space — and your mind.
