Top 4 Construction Renovation Trends of 2020 Still Trending in 2021
1. Multi-functional rooms and pocket doors are here to stay.
With the pandemic of 2020 drawing families indoors to work and school from home, multi-functional rooms that can serve as work-study spaces or home-gyms are still on the rise. From sliding barn doors to sleek pocket door solutions, we’ve been seeing an uptick in requests to create spaces that can be closed off for privacy during the day while one parent is on a conference call and the other in a zoom-classroom with the kiddos; a private workout or meditation space for individuals, or maybe a small recording studio for influencers and V-logers working on content in privacy. The same space can be opened up in the evening for a family game night, dinner and a movie...a weekend breakfast brunch with friends or whatever your heart fancies.
Barn Doors - Most inexpensive, simple, space-saving trendy way to close off rooms and arch-ways for instant privacy between spaces. Installation is usually a breeze, with a track installed directly on the wall which also holds the door(s).
Pocket Doors - This solution requires a little more time, effort, money and planning. Because pocket doors are usually hidden inside the wall when not in use (hence the name “pocket”), this solution is best installed when renovating a space and the walls are already open or may require minimal demolition and reconstruction of existing walls to size and fit. Benefits of this option of course being the sleek and minimalist design, which in turn also saves even more space than a barn /sliding door which in turn reduces the number of bulky items in your space. While it costs a little more, this is our favorite option for new construction, small apartments or rooms which require more sound-proofing.
In both instances working with someone who has experience with framing such as a carpenter or contractor is highly recommended.
2. That little black dress that never goes out of style at home?
From black accent pieces to all black kitchens, mill-work, tile, plumbing fixtures, grout and all; it’s safe to say that the “little black dress that never goes out of style” look is making a splash in the latest design trends in a big way. Both home and business owners have been making bold moves over the past few years with dark black accents, a trend we see continuing in 2021 for sure as new bids and projects come our way.
Pop of black - When using black as an accent, less is more. Painting a wall black or adding black hardware to cabinets, plumbing trims, light fixtures, or black & white geometric shapes and combos is the best way to keep it classy and simple.
All black - everything is bold and beautiful. When it comes to this trend we’ve noticed designers don’t hold back, yet mix textures and tones. Black tile, black walls, black floors, black custom mill-work, black appliances, and the list goes on with black. Much like when styling up a little black dress for a night on the town, adding a touch of brass, gold, or mixing metals is a great way to dress up your room and finalize the look
Changing out cabinet hardware or painting a beautiful accent wall are great DIY projects if you enjoy getting your hands dirty and have the time. Mixing tiles, installations and knowing what steps to take when deciding to redo a lot may be a little trickier, especially when plumbing is involved. Working with someone experienced in tile work or a contractor is highly recommended.
3. Natural wood beams and shelves that give your home character.
Rustic modern, farm-house, or just because? Have you ever noticed how almost every other pinterest or IG post has some sort of rustic natural wood beam or long shelf in the picture? That’s because natural reclaimed woods are hot to trot right now, regardless of whether they are original to the house or not. From fake beams to shelving and trims, natural wood is a great way to add a touch of character to any plain white box, whether it’s in your home or beautiful retail space.
Original exposed wood beams - are part of the “original” framing and structure of your home. If you are lucky enough to find a solid good looking one whilst tearing down drop ceilings or non-bearing walls in your renovation project, consider keeping it exposed for a more natural rustic look.
Natural Wood Faux Beams - are still made out of real natural reclaimed wood, but can be attached to your original ceilings to create the “look” of an exposed beam when one doesn’t really exist.
In both instances working with someone who has experience with framing such as a carpenter or contractor is highly recommended. It’s not safe to mess with the structure of your home if you don't know what you're doing!
4. Smart homes, innovative lighting and design.
Who said lights have to be basic? From energy saving LED lamps to unique lighting underneath shelving, inside or behind bed frames, bathroom niche lights, and funky light fixtures, we’ve seen lighting make a huge impact on our overall construction builds over the course of the past 18 months or so. The lighting design plans for 2021 are no different as we all work together to not only make your homes look and feel good, but also more functional, sustainable and energy efficient.
Functional lighting - by definition offers the illumination required for running your daily activities such as a hallway or closet or doorway. Canned lighting or recessed lighting continue to be one of the most cost effective, minimalist, and energy saving options selected by our clients and their respective architects or lighting designers. Large pendant lights continue to trend in long hallways too, while wall sconces seem to be making a comeback in a unique way.
Ambient lighting - Around mirrors, inside frames, underneath shelving, and even a bathroom niche; our electricians and tradespeople have installed light strips in some fun spaces this year. Some serve as subtle lighting for small spaces or simply put as art to highlight a great piece or feature item. Extra Large or geometric shaped chandeliers and/or other fixtures are in high demand too, usually requiring more experienced and out-of-box thinking electricians who can adapt to the ever changing landscape of lighting design vs. a DIY tutorial on YouTube or your neighborhood handyman.
When making electrical changes and any type of upgrades to your home or place of business, it’s important to consider the capabilities of the existing electrical panel and building (if you are a city dweller in a condo or co-op). Consulting with a licensed electrician or general contractor is highly recommended in most cases.
Have more questions about this article or need to bounce some ideas for your next project? GloJoy Co is a Construction and Real Estate Management group with licensed teams in Texas and New York City to Westchester County. Our construction and design consultants are available virtually nationwide and in the US Virgin Islands. Email hello@glojoy.co to connect with us.
