Latest Home Improvement, Renovation & Remodeling Trends

George Carlin does a soliloquy on “Stuff” in which he states that we are all born naked and without “stuff.” From the time people first put clothes on us we start accumulating “stuff.” Then we get married and move into a house and we need to buy more “stuff” to live comfortably. Once we have kids and get more “stuff” we look at buying a bigger house. Once in that house we need more “stuff” to live comfortably there.

What it boils down to is that our need for storage is hinged on our supply of space. A home used to large enough to house all of our possessions because our wants and needs were not as pressing. For example, in the years after World War II a working man may have had one suit, two sets of leisure clothes and two sets of work clothes. A woman, on the other hand, had enough clothes to fill a small closet and kids had a bike, some sports equipment. All clothing that was not hung up was stored in movable dressers.

In today’s reality more men are working in the business world and so having five suits is not uncommon. Accessories and shoes add to his wardrobe as well as double the amount of leisure wear. There are much more women in the work force than there were 50 years ago so their clothing requirements have skyrocketed. And with children’s toys, sports and audiovisual items, not to mention camping gear and other recreational equipment, the strain on household storage is astronomical.

Taking a nod from the Europeans American designers are beginning to tackle storage with the same gusto that they did kitchens and bathrooms. Not only are closest more efficient but storage can be fit into the style and design of the home.

For more information on your storage concerns go to New Trends in Closets and Storage

Despite the fact that the HBO series Rome and the movie Under A Tuscan Sun are now a few years in the past the settings and landscapes from these films are just now beginning to creep into North American neighborhoods. The rustic, “Old World” ambiance, vegetation and colors are soothing against the quickening pace of everyday life. As well, the taste of Renaissance Italy, although exotic, can be realized using many of the landscaping materials and fauna found locally.

Follow this link to A Tuscan Backyard for a good shot of the designs and styles of old Tuscany

Not so long ago the typical bathroom was made up of three traditional pieces tucked away in a cubicle room: sink, toilet and shower-bath. The bathroom was functional, if not austere, and the only defining features were the shower curtain designs, sink top and floor. If you had more space and money you could have jetspa tubs and glass shower cabinets installed. The avant garde might have a bidet.

In new home designs bathrooms have undergone drastic changes. Space is now being allocated to the lowliest of rooms so that the cube-shaped room carved out of the bedroom space is now a bygone memory. Like bedrooms, kitchens and other living spaces bathrooms are being designed to encompass other activities such as reading, watching television and relaxation.

To enhance these experiences new conveniences were added to the plans. For example, in some plans, the shower area was enlarged and glassed in to accommodate steam, sauna, rain shower and an audiovisual system all controlled by a “smart panel.” Bathtubs have been enlarged for more massage jets in the spa and also include the audiovisual systems.