Houston Remodeling Guide 2008: REMODELING TRENDS

Whether it’s in the cool Colorado Rocky Mountains or the hot humid flatland of Houston, Texas, people select similar remodeling and updating projects. If your carpet is worn out and needs replacing, out the door it goes. If the family lifestyle has changed and you no longer need the fourth bedroom, converting the fourth bedroom into a large master suite or study has become a big remodeling trend. Master bathroom and kitchen remodeling will always be on top of wish lists.

One trend on the rise is families who must deal with allergy and asthma are replacing their carpeting with hard surface floorings. Another trend is the baby-boomer nearing retirement who is now thinking about handicap accessibility, wider hallways, roll-in showers and roll-under-counter sinks.

People remodel and update their homes for many reasons. On my radio show, when I’m asked a question like, “What are some of the remodeling trends for the 21st century?” or “Can you offer any suggestions for remodeling?” it’s really difficult to answer because remodeling projects range from thesimple to the sublime.

However, this year we had several conversions of gamerooms where the pool table never got used to full-blown Media rooms—from surround sound speakers with huge TV entertainment centers to everything including popcorn machines. Thousands of homes were built in the late ’60s to ’80s with a walk-in wet bar as the focal point of the family room. These spaces now make super media conversions. Even the small preacher bars with doors are being converted to media centers.

Remodeling is hot because people like where they live and don’t want to move. Friends, shopping, churches and views are all the things they have lived with for years and what holds them to the area, which prompts their choice to remodel. New home buying is expensive, and in most cases, the lots are smaller than the one they already own. So to remodel a new bathroom, kitchen and even family room or bedrooms allows the owner to stay right where they are and still have the feeling of a new home.

Kitchens will always be on top of the list in remodeling trends. Families are entertaining more, and the kitchen is a family gathering place, so removing walls that separate the kitchen from the family room is a big trend.

When you open the kitchen up to the family room, a big concern is a noisy dishwasher. With technology advancement, there are several appliance manufacturers featuring whisper-quiet dishwashers that you can barely hear running. This type of dishwasher should be a trendsetter for the 21st century.

Of course the slab granite counter tops are still hot and the 12-inch by 12-inch granite tile is running a close race due to the price savings. Hardwood floors are still in, tile floors in the large 16-inch by 16-inch tile with diamond inlays are going strong and bold wall colors with white trim will be continue to be big trendsetters.

Exterior products that seem to still be a hot trend in the market are the cement fiber sidings like “Cemplank and Hardi-Plank” just to mention a few. People are tired of replacing rotting wood, consumers want something that will stand the test of time and still have a real wood look. Backyard views are still a big trend and that’s where the new direct-vent fireplaces really make a difference. Your fireplace does not have a chimney and you can place a window above the firebox and mantel, as well as on each side of the fireplace. Also, the outdoor kitchen under a patio cover is trendy. Family and friends enjoy entertaining outside and taking advantage of the summer weather. Keeping up with the remodeling trends can truly assist you at resale and might even offer you better pay-back values on your real estate investment.