Five new renovation trends you’ll want to know about

With house prices across the country at record levels, many home owners are choosing to renovate instead of upgrading to a new home. The costs of selling a house, combined with the hassle of packing up and moving means staying put is sometimes the simpler option.

However, renovating a home can be a big task to take on, even if it’s only a small job. If you’re thinking about renovating this year, here are five trends you should be aware of to help add maximum value to your property.

Technology free escape rooms

As technology infiltrates every part of our daily lives, many architects and home renovators are creating technology free spaces in their homes. Whether it’s a small nook or cranny that fits a study desk, or a room dedicated to reading books, not iPads, this can provide a chance to unplug. This design trend will be popular with parents that have grown tiresome of seeing kids eyes glued to smartphones, tablets and video games.

Copper is on the way out

It’s had a good run, but copper is no longer the big ‘it’ design trend. One good measure for if a design trend is on the way out is when it hits the shelves of mainstream department stores. This is sadly the case for copper. If you’re putting in a new bathroom this year and thought copper light fittings, door handles and taps were the way to go, then you might have to think again.

Cork is making a comeback

Yes, you heard that right. There have been a number of articles published in the last few months that suggest designers are finding the versatility of cork irresistible and it’s sneaking its way back into fashion. Anything from ceiling to floor corkboard in home office spaces, to accessorising with cork coffee tables and bar stools. For some design inspiration on cork, check out Pinterest or try a Google Images search.

Everything is getting darker

This year will see the return of darker colours and tones. On the furniture front, deeper wood tones will replace the light tones we’ve enjoyed for the last few years. Darker colours like greens and greys will also creep back into fashionable homes across the country.

Not so much open plan living

The feeling amongst the design community is that we’ve embraced open plan living a little bit too much and that it might be time to scale it back - but just a bit. The days of having just one TV, or one computer in the house are long gone, so home owners are looking for more defined spaces where they can stream their favourite content, or watch TV, without being interrupted, or having to listen to whoever is in the next room doing the same.