Every year, trends for home enhancements come and go. In the past few years, many upgrades and improvements have been made in order to increase the value of a home on the real estate market. Sometimes the trends are purely for style and enhancement. As we move into 2023, there are several trends in home upgrades that are coming to the forefront. These trends are driven as much by function and necessity as they are by style. 

    In 2020, most of the trends for home improvements centered around working at home and making homes more livable and useful as a result of the lockdown. That continued through 2021, even as more people started looking for the opportunity to buy a new house in a better area. In 2022, interest rates started to rise, and home sales started to slow down as a result. As we move into 2023, interest rates have leveled out, but the emphasis on “staying put” and making our own home better is one of the major factors in home trends.

    So what are the changes, upgrades, and improvements that homeowners are considering this year? There are plenty of options, depending on the wants and needs of each homeowner. Kitchen and bathroom renovations are always popular, particularly in older homes. Converting unused rooms into home offices has grown in popularity in recent years. Many companies have opted to enable employees to continue working from home, so home office renovations continue to drive remodeling trends. As people work from home, houses have started to fill up with furniture and supplies that weren’t there previously. As a result, another popular upgrade this year is efficient storage. From closets to the garage, getting organized and decluttering has become a priority. Finally, improvements to make homes more efficient are becoming a priority. Inflation, rising energy costs, and new tax credits for going green have given people a good reason to invest in making their homes more cost-efficient.

    When making any changes or upgrades to your home, always consider what is truly “DIY” (do it yourself) and what is not. If you have a small project that you can easily do on your own, that is fine. But it’s good to know when to call in the professionals. There are numerous companies in Coweta and Fayette that can assist you in achieving your goals for making improvements to the interior or exterior of your property. When you retain a professional, you receive experienced work from experts who can complete the task more quickly and with fewer headaches than if you tried to do it yourself.

INTERIORS

Kitchens and Bathrooms

    The most common areas to redesign in a home are the kitchen and bathroom, and there are many new, beautiful products and materials available for both spaces. Cast-solid countertop surfaces in materials are particularly popular in the kitchen due to their seamless appearance. Natural stones in high demand include granite, marble, quartzite, soapstone, and quartz. Engineered quartz is a popular alternative that combines the natural strengths of quartz with resins to create a nonporous surface that is more durable and resistant to scratches and abrasions without the need for sealants. 

    Jessica Adams from Mega Granite says, “Engineered quartz is popular because of its combination of style and durability. Price-wise, it’s comparable to mid-range granite, so it’s affordable for most people considering upgrading their countertops.” She goes on to say, “We still love the natural stone materials because there is so much variation that appeals to different people’s preferences and needs. “ So we also offer natural quartzite, soapstone, and granite.”

    Other current trends include backsplashes made of tile, stone, or glass; floors made of hardwoods, stone, or tile; and custom cabinets made of high-quality woods, like solid maple, with pull-out spice racks, bread and pasta bins, and slide-out shelves that can accommodate all your pots, pans, and lids. People are also gravitating toward bigger and bolder styles in hardware design and metals.

    There are also many alternatives for redesigning bathrooms. Countertops and vanity designs come in a wide variety of modern materials. Tile options for floors and walls appear to be limitless. Popular sink and soaking tub accessories include vessel bowls. Choosing items that go together, keep you in style, and stay inside your budget will be made easier for you if you deal with knowledgeable experts. 

    Lance Pope of Fine Southern Renovations specializes in bathroom renovations and tile installations. He is a certified Schluter Waterproofing expert, so if the customer has him use Schluter Waterproofing, the installation will come with a lifetime warranty. He also offers curbless showers, which is a great alternative to expensive walk-in showers for the elderly or handicapped.

Home Offices

    Converting an extra room into an office can be a DIY project, but forethought is definitely required, and the input of a designer may be helpful.

    First, adequate space for what you’ll need to effectively work from home is necessary. If you don’t have enough space and are cramped from the start, you won’t be able to work effectively. This space should also include adequate storage for your supplies and other office necessities.

    Comfortable, ergonomic furniture is a must. Don’t try to get by with a folding chair instead of a quality office chair. Everything you have at a business office should be included: a chair, a good desk, a filing cabinet, etc. Make sure there is plenty of light as well.

    Take into account the tools you require for productive work, such as a computer, printer, internet connection, and phone. Make sure your room is wired and capable of supporting your devices. 

    When choosing which room to use, take into account privacy and noise. If no one else will be at home when you’re working, your office could be situated anywhere. But if you have kids that are playing next to you when you are taking an important business call, you may have problems. It’s best to avoid those situations by picking a space ahead of time that will provide maximum privacy. 

Closets & Storage

    An upgrade that may go hand-in-hand with adding a home office is making storage areas and closets more efficient and useful. Chances are, if you had an extra room, it was being used for storage. If you convert that room into an office, you’ve created a new problem to solve. But with the right plan and execution, you can find ways to store those extra items without filling up your bedroom with extra junk! 

    A professional closet and storage company will enable you to tuck away your existing items and actually gain space. Professionals like Classy Custom Closets can maximize space in every room of your house while at the same time creating an aesthetically pleasing look. Their home organization solutions help organize every room in the house, from the office to the laundry room. They provide wall-mounted systems for convenient storage in addition to specialized storage options like pull-out drawers for efficient organization without compromising style.

Furniture and Decor

    What if you’ve been in your home for a while but there are no major renovations you’re ready to make? Sometimes it’s as simple as replacing some old furniture or adding some new accents to make your interior feel a little “fresher.” There are many stores in both Coweta and Fayette counties where you can find all sorts of items for your home.

    One of the hidden gems in the area for furniture, home décor, and more for your home is the HUBB in Peachtree City. They have overstock items like sofas, chairs, bedding, and more—all from nationwide retailers like Target and Walmart. Even better, everything they have is 40–50% off the regular retail prices.

    The store started as an opportunity to provide discounted merchandise for those struggling around Christmas of 2021 and dealing with economic recovery from COVID. They began donating portions of their revenue to God’s Eyes International, a non-profit that provides prescription glasses to poor people in the poorest parts of the world. They also support other non-profits in the area as well. So everything you buy offers you great savings and the opportunity to help those less fortunate.

Energy Efficient Upgrades

    With rising costs all around, the opportunity to reduce monthly energy costs can often be worth the investment. Some of these upgrades are inexpensive and easy, while others may require spending money now in order to save money over the long run. 

    Older homes are more likely to be inefficient when it comes to energy, so if you own an older home, it would be worthwhile to start with an energy evaluation. An energy evaluation will allow you to pinpoint which parts of your home are costing you the most money and address them accordingly.

    From installing smart thermostats to adding solar panels, there are options large and small to help you save money.  Another option that may seem small but can add up is using weather stripping, caulk, or spray foam to seal air leaks around windows, doors, and other areas in your home. Adding insulation to your attic or basement is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce your energy bill. 

    You can also have your heating and cooling system checked and tuned up to make sure it is running at its best. If you have an older, less efficient system, it may be worthwhile to replace it with a newer, more efficient system. You can also install a modern, energy-efficient water heater. These two systems account for a large percentage of your home’s energy use.

EXTERIORS

    If you are considering upgrading the exterior of your home, there are limitless possibilities. From the roof to the sidewalk, it just depends on what you want (or need) to do. 

    A home’s exterior siding has a significant impact on its appearance. When choosing exterior siding, consider a material that complements the design of your home as well as your way of life and environment. Stone veneer, fiber cement, wood clapboard, brick and brick veneer, cedar shingles, engineered wood, aluminum, and vinyl are some of the possibilities available. Trim pieces are a wonderful decorative addition. They can be made from a variety of materials, including wood and synthetics like urethane, PVC, and fiberglass, much like siding. You can get assistance from designers and home renovation experts in selecting siding that complements the environment and the unique tastes of your family.

    You can choose roofing materials with the texture and color that best suit your preferences and complement the design of your home with the assistance of roofing specialists. Since they have been around for a while, composition shingles are currently the most popular and least priced material used on roofs. Traditional slate roofs have been used for years, but they are quite expensive and much heavier than other types of roofs. Today, a variety of engineered goods that resemble slate are available. These products include those created from recycled rubber and plastic as well as a blend of sand and cement fibers.

    Gutters are frequently changed at the same time as siding or roofing. There are two fundamental types of gutters: K-Style, which have flat bottoms and backs but ornate fronts, and Half-Round, which are half-round tubes and are frequently seen on older, historic homes. Gutters are used to drain rainwater from your roof away from your property. Aluminum, copper, seamless aluminum, steel, vinyl, and zinc are just a few of the metals used to make gutters. 

    The style of the home should be reflected in the doors, windows, and other openings. The windows and doors available today serve a purpose, are aesthetically pleasing, and are energy efficient. Your life will be made easier if you hire a professional to guide you through your options and take care of the installation.