Many families are struggling to find room for their children to attend remote school, play, and sleep peacefully. That has some parents seeking new layouts and furnishings to help keep home life humming smoothly.

ears ago, children’s bedrooms were the focus of the younger generation’s home life. That’s where they slept, played, and did homework.

But at some point, kids’ toys started spreading out to the living room and their homework ended up on the kitchen or dining room table. Now, the pandemic has exacerbated these trends and made houses seem much smaller.

The result is more parents looking to experts on how to reorganize existing rooms, especially for young children who may not be able to verbalize their needs and anxieties. Many buyers are seeking different types of room arrangements since they don’t know when the pandemic will end, or if another will arise. Many also represent a variety of family compositions, including single parents, adult children, or three-generational households.

“We need greater flexibility to adapt,” says architect Marissa Kasdan, director of design at KTGY Architecture + Planning’s R+D Studio’s Tyson, Va., office.

Designers, architects, real estate salespeople, and child psychologists are sharing advice on how to furnish children’s bedrooms and a home’s communal spaces to meet everybody’s needs. But Chicago-area designer Paula Winter of Paula Winter Design offers one important caveat: “It’s helpful to consider your child’s personality,” she says. “Some want to be more alone, and others like being around others.”

Bedrooms

Most experts on children believe the prime purpose of a bedroom should be sleeping. Screens should be kept out of the bedroom so that sleep is not disturbed.

“We recommend that studying and playing are kept outside the bedroom, if possible,” says Lisa Medalie, PsyD, DBSM, founder of DrLullaby, Digital Sleep Solutions for Sleep Problems in Children in Chicago. “When kids are doing homework or playing in the bedroom, these are competing cues and triggers. Kids are likely to be tempted to play, resistant to bedtime, or think about school when such activities persist in the bedroom,” she says. 

But not every family has separate rooms where children can pursue non-sleep tasks. Lisa Cini, a senior living and multigenerational expert and author of Hive: The Simple Guide to Multigenerational Living (iUniverse), advocates for setting up zones. “Parents can think of the bedroom almost like a kindergarten room with spaces for naps and sleep, play, and learning, so all are distinct,” she says.

Winter agrees on the benefit of zones, which may repeat certain functions. For example, in some bedrooms, she includes several places to sit—to work at a desk, read in a chair, congregate with friends on the floor or at a window seat.

Areas can be visually and physically separated with a different floor surface such as tile and an area rug, standing screen, movable wall, pocket door, curtain, low bookcase, or even pretend teepee. A desk or table can be positioned to minimize distractions, says Alessandra Wood, vice president of style at San Francisco-based Modsy, an online design service, which surveyed parents to learn the effects of how COVID-19 influences ways families use their homes.

If the square footage in a bedroom doesn’t permit different zones, sometimes an extra or oversized closet can be converted into a homework center. It can be an easy DIY project with lumber planks for a desk and bookshelves, a child-sized adjustable chair that “grows” as the child does, good task and recessed lighting, and a file cabinet or rolling cart to organize supplies.

The good news is that most children’s furniture is on the small scale, so rooms don’t have to be large to accommodate multiple functions. Some furnishings can also be concealed, such as a Murphy or trundle bed.

Dining room design by Modsy.

Living Spaces

Even before the pandemic began, parents with children have looked for homes with a variety of shared spaces that better fit their individual needs.

The death of the open floor plan: One casualty of buyers’ current needs may be the open plan because it fails to mitigate noise and distractions. “Open layouts are not for all anymore. Many want to go back to a separate dining and living room or a small family room off the kitchen,” says Sandra Cuba with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in Winter Park, Fla.

Instead, there’s increased interest in having a “flex” room that can function differently for each family’s needs.

Separate different child areas: Chicago-based Lexington Homes designed one townhouse model for its Lexington Trace development in Warrenville, Ill., with a finished lower level with natural light that could work as a children’s e-learning area or playroom. An optional half-bathroom can be added. When the pandemic ends or children are grown, it can be converted into a movie theater, home gym, or home office, says principal Jeff Benach.

Children’s room design by Lexington Homes.

Other parents and design professionals are looking to attics and spaces above a garage or in a basement, if available, for the same learning purposes, especially when children are older and can be left alone, says Usha Subramaniam, a real estate salesperson with Compass in suburban Westchester, N.Y.

The trend has even given rise to a new professional niche. Orlando-based designer Lauren Nolan focuses on installing at-home classrooms through her business, Childhood & Home. She likes to create cheerful, calm, and eco-conscious study spaces with designated areas for technology, play, and arts and crafts.

Working together: Not all parents want to have their children out of sight, says Chicago real estate salesperson Jennifer Ames of Engel & Volkers. “They want the capacity to supervise and keep an eye on them while they’re on Zoom,” she says. Designing a multipurpose shared space for school, work, and leisure is no small design task! says Winter.

Home classroom design by Lauren Nolan.

The Chicago-based Belgravia Group has developed one layout in its new condos at Triangle Square in East Bucktown that places a flex space adjacent to and within view of other rooms, says Elizabeth Brooks, executive vice president of sales and marketing.

Some parents also favor layouts with multiple rooms where kids can pursue different activities—some messy, some quiet. Architect Eddie Maestri of Maestri Studio in Dallas went this route in remodeling his own family’s new house. “The boys usually want to be where we are,” he says. Now his 8-year-old twins have several rooms to choose from, including some designated for screen time which is off limits in their bedrooms, Maestri says.

KTGY Architecture + Planning has also followed this approach with its new “City Home” model. Designed for urban areas, the plan offers two spaces that might be used for work or school at home, but are flexible for alternative long-term functions, says Kasdan. “We are finding that flexibility is key with all of our designs as residents use their homes in new and varied ways,” she says.

Flexible children’s space by KTGY Architecture + Planning.

Since having adequate storage can be a problem, the City Home also includes extra storage within the unit and more in a nearby corridor on each building level.

Choose proper materials and designs: Parents and designers are wise to select child-proof furnishings that hold up to wear and tear, dirty hands and feet, rough play, and spills. For example, Winter suggests sturdy fabrics, upholstery treated with stain repellent treatments (safe for children and pets and for busy families) or built-in stain-resistant upholstery, sectional sofas that can be separated, tables that can be easily cleaned or worked on (solid surface materials or laminates), and ones with no sharp corners.

It’s also helpful to have extra seating, which should be selected based on age-appropriate designs and their function, Winter says. This might include benches or poufs, coffee tables that raise to dining height, as well as bins, containers, see-through bags, and recycled packing boxes to organize toys, games, books, and more.

Converted Garages and Sheds

Cuba has clients who bought a smaller house and converted the garage with air conditioning into a virtual office for one parent who now teaches from home. “It has allowed her to have a quiet, organized place to focus on her students and her own two kids to use their bedrooms,” Cuba says. Subramaniam has clients in her Westchester, N.Y. market who have added sheds to their property so they could have a quiet space away from the kids, she says.

Outdoor Areas

Though not all climates permit use of an outdoor space all year, many families can install an awning or bring in a patio heater to extend use of the area. And they can outfit a space for active play with simple additions, such as a jump rope, zipline, tree swing, hopscotch board, and kid-sized table and chairs. Last summer, Cuba found that more buyers clamored for a bigger addition—a swimming pool.

Remodeling expert and speaker Dan DiClerico installed a NanaWall to open the back of his Brooklyn house to the outdoors. During the first wave of the pandemic, their backyard became his kids’ refuge to do homework, enjoy open-air playdates, have family meals, play sports, and store favorite toys and sports equipment.

Once the pandemic is over, many experts predict homeowners will continue to want their homes more flexible as needs keep changing. Plus, many predict remote work is here to stay for a significant percentage of the American workforce. “These ideas aren’t likely to go out of style,” Subramaniam says.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Find out what’s attracting buyers’ eye in 2021, and what looks have grown outdated.

After nearly a year of quarantining at home, many homeowners are putting a laser focus on their surroundings. All this time at home has made some trends less appealing, while others have soared.

Some homeowners have found they don’t have enough counter space—or the right anti-microbial surface—while other can’t find enough workspace for everyone in the house to get projects done in peace and quiet. And some have grown tired of their aqua-blue or pink shaded dining room walls that they once thought divine.

The interior designers at Living Spaces, a La Mirada, Calif.–based furniture retailer, see and hear the buzz firsthand. Staff designer Emilie Navarro says she and her colleagues source data from Google Trends to look at design ideas over time, which they use for the company’s annual report. This year’s 2021 Decor Trends: What’s Out & What’s In highlights 19 home trends the designers found to be outdated, and the chic new ones replacing them.

Here are nine of the 19 that caught our interest; the other 10 can be read in the full report.

• Since its peak in the beginning of 2018, millennial pink has dropped in popularity by 53%, giving way to warmer, earthier tones like terra cotta.
• Interest in shabby chic has dropped by 43% since the beginning of 2016. Instead, grandmillenial style—which is much more eclectic—is in. “It’s a different kind of granny chic, with more classic and timeless pieces and bright and airy rooms,” says designer Shelby Greene.
• There has also been a 33% drop in interest in artwork with words and language since early 2017, filled by upticks in abstract canvas art in soft warm colors and in photographs of scenic places.
• Monochromatic tones, like all white and all gray, have fallen in popularity by 30% since their peak in mid-2016, giving way to layered hues throughout homes. For example, in kitchens there might be an accent color for an island that differs from the colors on all of the perimeter cabinets, Navarro says.
• Since its peak in mid-2016, interest in floral patterns has decreased 28%, part of the shabby chic decline. Instead, minimal stripes and lines are filling the void, showing up most in rugs and drapery.

• Yet another example is industrial style—its metals-heavy look has dropped 22% since the beginning of 2017, replaced by softer, warmer, more comforting designs and more touchable textiles (what’s termed “transitional decor”). As an example, designers suggest swapping out iron furniture for wooden furniture legs, or bronze and silver wall art for wall tapestries and hanging quilts, says designer Satsha Lopez-Jaimes.
• Botanical prints have lost some cachet since their peak at beginning of 2017—down 14%—with grand, hand-painted art on canvas or moody photography prints blown up and framed now popular.
• Despite its pervasive appeal, even subway tile has dropped, but only by 10%, replaced by geometric honeycomb and octagonal tiles with a marble material or metallic hints. The reason, says Greene, is the warmth and character they add. But don’t expect subway tiles to disappear, says Navarro, since they’re a classic option. For the time being, they’ll used a bit less and in different ways, such as vertically.
• Since its peak at the beginning of 2019, shag carpet has declined 9% with an uptick in more high-pile area rugs, which are considered a less permanent choice. “Rugs also give you a chance to contrast with the floor underneath, and you can place one strategically under a furniture set to help pull the look together,” says designer Brynna Evans.

At the end of the day, Navarro says the most important influence for a homeowner’s choice should depend not on its trendiness but on what they love.

“Trends come and go all the time, but you want to see what makes you happy every day,” she says.

Almost every buyer makes some changes when they invest in a home, she says, and part of the influence should be on whether they plan to stay for a longer term, which may mean going with bolder colors, or flip the house, which then could suggest more timeless choices for a higher value in a fast resale.

9 Decor Trends That Are In and Out

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Choosing bulbs has gotten much more complicated as energy-saving technology becomes more common. Here’s how to make the smartest and most flattering choices for a home.

Selecting a beautiful new light fixture for a home is a great way to visually update a home and add sparkle to a space. But putting the wrong lightbulb in that fixture can have disastrous effects. The wrong lighting makes a room feel too dark or too bright. Light also affects the appearance of upholstery, paint, or artwork.

Comparing lighting options available today can be like comparing a Model T with a Prius because of the vast options—both old-school and new—on the market. With energy consciousness steadily rising, the expansion of federal legislation mandating lightbulb efficiency is now being reconsidered by the Department of Energy, and some states, including California, Nevada, and Washington, already have strict laws in place. The 60-watt tungsten bulb is, indeed, becoming a Model T.

Just as you can still find gas-guzzling cars, however, you can still purchase incandescent bulbs. However, you need to understand the terminology surrounding new light sources.

Lightbulb Types

LED, CFL, and halogen and tungsten incandescent: LED is the most energy-efficient and long-lasting; it’s also the most expensive. Tungsten incandescent bulbs are the least efficient and cheapest; 90% of the energy consumed by an incandescent bulb is lost as heat. CFLs contain mercury and must be disposed of properly.

Bulbs come in any number of shapes and sizes. When shopping, the most common lightbulb shape and size is described as an “A19 Medium Base.”

Read bulb labels to find the lighting facts you need.

Brightness: Light output is measured in lumens, not watts as we previously used for brightness. In context, a 60-watt incandescent bulb provides roughly 800 lumens: 40W, 450 lumens; 75W, 1100 lumens; 100W, 1600 lumens; 150W, 2600 lumens.

Energy Used: The amount of electricity that a lightbulb consumes is measured in watts. A 60W tungsten bulb consumes 60W. An 800-lumen LED bulb (equivalent to the 60-watt tungsten) uses approximately 14W of electricity, a 75% reduction in energy consumption. Efficiency is often expressed as lumens per watt; the higher the LPM ratio, the more energy-efficient the bulb.

Light Appearance: We understand lightbulbs described as “warm white” or “bright white,” but these are subjective terms, meaning different things to different manufacturers. Light appearance refers to the “color” of the white light. Light color is represented in Kelvin, a temperature measurement. 2700K is roughly the equivalent of a tungsten bulb; 3000K roughly the equivalent of a halogen bulb; 4500K considered equivalent to daylight, and appears blueish.

2700K lighting is warm and cozy, great for living rooms and bedrooms. 3000K lighting is crisper and best used where functional light is important, as in a kitchen or bathroom. 4000K is great for the garage or laundry room. Make sure that the lamps and ceiling lights in a room have matching Kelvin ratings. Nothing’s worse for a room’s appearance than mismatched light color. A bedroom with 2700K lighting at the ceiling and 4000K in the nightstand lamp looks awkward and will create an imbalance in paint and fabric colors.

Dimming: Ever say, “let’s dim the lights” to create a little romance or watch a movie? When incandescent bulbs are dimmed, their color warms, meaning that it changes to look more like candlelight.

Look for the word “dimmable” as a feature on the lightbulb package or integrated LED fixture. Unlike incandescent lighting, not all LED or CFL lights can be dimmed. This is not a huge consideration for bulbs used in table or floor lamps, but ceiling lights, especially chandeliers, are often controlled by wall dimmer switches. Nondimmable LEDs may not react and CFLs may turn a greenish-blue color. So much for atmosphere.

Further, LEDs and CFLs rated as dimmable will not warm to look like candlelight. They will simply get less bright while giving off the same color. LEDs offer a technology called “warm dim” that mimics the dimming of incandescent bulbs. Search for warm dim LEDs that offer a color range of 3000K to 2200K or wider.

Color Rendering: You probably won’t see the color rendering index of a lightbulb on its package. But this measurement is important when illuminating artwork or when highlighting decor, such as fabrics or paint colors. Low CRI ratings make the colors in a room seem flat, while high CRI makes color snap.

Sunlight, with a CRI of 100, has the most accurate color rendering; halogen matches sunlight with 100 CRI, which is why galleries often use halogen lighting. Most LED bulbs are rated above 85 CRI, which is considered acceptable; CFLs are somewhat lower. However, LEDs are available at higher CRI levels when color rendering is critical.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Second-home locations—viewed as a safe destination when the pandemic disrupted how people live—have gained full-time residents, and houses are changing to meet the demand.

3 Takeaways

• There are fewer vacation homes available to buy and rent.
• More people are making the choice to live in their second-home full time.
• The hottest amenities: Internet connectivity, work from home spaces, and an outdoor oasis.

As COVID-19 spread, many people made a beeline to their more isolated second homes or vacation rentals to hunker down and stay safe.

Slowly, the idea that those destination homes would be short-term gave way to the notion of making them a permanent residence. People enjoyed the safety, space, fresh air, and outdoor recreation at their retreats. They found efficiency working remotely and having their children learn virtually. And many found it propitious to buy with low interest rates and a strong stock market.

“Buying a house is a feel-good purchase, and it became the right time after many put it off,” says Diane Saatchi, associate broker with Saunders & Associates in East Hampton, N.Y. 

Since the pandemic started, Mimy von Schreiner with John R. Wood Properties in Southwest Florida, has had three clients purchase vacation homes who then made them permanent residences.

Less Inventory

Whether homes are for full- or part-time use, all the demand has led to a dearth of inventory, now exacerbated by the spring buying season and many people planning their summer vacations.

Von Schreiner says inventory in her market is down 56% from a year ago, which she attributes to frenzied pandemic sales and rentals, an expanded pool of younger buyers, and existing homeowners staying put.

Deb Martin, CEO of ERA Cape Cod Real Estate in Denis, Mass., has also seen inventory shrink for similar reasons. But those reasons are compounded by another trend beginning before the pandemic: retirees not selling as they once did to move near grandchildren or head to senior-living facilities.

Because of these tough market conditions, agents must help clients by encouraging them to prioritize their wish lists, stay on top of what’s available, and communicate often. These five questions will help real estate pros guide the discussion.

1. How far from your current home are you willing to go?

Many buyers and renters now are willing to travel farther to find the right home and a lower price. “Many don’t anticipate going back and forth as frequently, if at all,” says Jennifer Grimes, whose Red Cottage Inc. in Grahamsville, N.Y., offers vacation rentals, and her Country House Realty represents homes for sales in the Catskills.

In the last year, she’s seen her rural Sullivan County become the epicenter of escape for people coming from New York City, 110 miles away. “It was last to the party in popularity after better-known Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange counties, but interest has surged as a destination and demand has far outpaced supply,” she says. To meet demand in recent years, Grimes has added 10 agents.

Architect Mike Aziz, AIA, a partner at New York City-based Cooper Robertson, an architecture and urban design firm, says many of his firm clients will drive farther, as well—two to three hours from a major city, especially for a primary residence.

The same is true on the West Coast where Chris Neighbor, president of SummerHill Homes in San Ramon, Calif., sees huge interest in his firm’s infill townhouses from tech workers leaving the expensive Bay Area and their tiny apartments.

“The average tech employee no longer works on a campus for 14 hours a day. They can get more space,” he says.

In other markets, particularly for long- and short-term rentals, some people are now willing to drive to rural sites once under the radar, such as parts of Kentucky, Michigan’s upper peninsula, and the area around Deep Creek Lake, Md., says Jeffrey Breece, whose San Francisco-based Beyond Pricing offers a revenue management platform for short-term rental owners and managers.

2. Does peak season matter to you?

Many locations are experiencing extended rental seasons with bookings made further out than pre-COVID-19. For example, in Florida, salesperson Angela Waldrop with Dale Sorensen Real Estate in Vero Beach, has seen bookings extend beyond the typical April 30 cutoff into summer. “Except for a minor blip when the coronavirus emerged, we’ve not had a break. Many people also book for longer three- to six-month periods,” she says.

Jason Milovich, broker-owner of Bluefish Vacation Rentals in southwest Michigan, about 74 miles from Chicago, has also seen lines blur between high and low seasons.

“The busiest rental time used to be from Memorial Day through Labor Day, followed by a shoulder through November. But it has stayed busy from last December until now,” he says.

The difference in rental costs has also diminished between the high season, weekends, and holidays, and the low season and weekdays, Grimes says. Even the idea of a best time to buy has vanished.

“Sales now happen at all times if there’s inventory,” Waldrop says. 

3. What’s your price range?

With little inventory, houses often sell at full price or above, and oftentimes on the day listed. “Buyers tire of repeatedly missing out, and many overpay to make a sale work,” Grimes says. As an example, she cites a property listed at $425,000 that went 35% higher for $575,000 without an inspection three days after hitting the market. It was seen by 25 potential buyers, and the winning bid was all cash.

In von Schreiner’s Florida market, average sales prices in January were up 18.2% from a year ago, she says. Neighbor has seen listings in his California area climb 20% above the asking price with as many as eight to 12 offers.

Rental costs reflect a similar uptick. “Many are going 25% above the (normal) price. A pool brings a premium,” Breece says. In Waldrop’s Florida market, luxury homes have been renting “nonstop” since the start of the pandemic, she says, for $20,000 to $35,000 monthly, or 30% above a year ago.

4. What types of homes and amenities are you looking for?

Single-family homes generally appeal more than condos since they eliminate sharing elevators, lobbies, pools, dog parks, and gyms.  

Exceptions abound, especially when designs focus on keeping renters or buyers apart. Developer Valor Capital, which is constructing Serena by the Sea in Dunedin, Fla., near Clearwater, went back to the drawing board when the pandemic hit to add touchless features, individual condo air-intake systems, and a concierge service to deliver spa treatments, walk dogs, organize closets, says Regina Sotomayor, chief sales officer. More than half the 80 units have been pre-sold.  

When it comes to homes, many buyers and renters seek greater square footage to accommodate more family and fit their new mindset. “They no longer think of it as a vacation house but a primary home that needs to be comfortable for long-term,” Saatchi says.

That was the case with the home that designer Staci Munic bought when she switched her primary residence from Chicago to Palm Springs, Calif., and sold a California condo that was previously her vacation getaway. “I found I loved being here and having a relaxed lifestyle with morning bicycle rides,” she says. But she was glad she rented first. “It gave me the opportunity to experience an area in different seasons and alleviate buying under pressure,” she says.

Other buyers who don’t know whether their home will be temporary or permanent also desire more space. “About 95% of SummerHill’s buyers are first-time homeowners who like getting a second bedroom, office, fireplace, space for their Peloton bicycle, and balcony—especially after years of renting a tiny apartment,” Neighbor says. He expects many will stay post-pandemic, even if they commute occasionally to a corporate office. 

For Tish Horton, a warmer winter climate and chance to live near a daughter drew her to a second home in Newland’s masterplan Nexton community in Summerville, S.C., 30 miles from Charleston. She plans to commute to her other home and daughter in Dayton.

Working from home has led people to stay longer, often with extended family members. Buyers and renters alike are looking for Zoom nooks and smart designs for ease of daily living. Other amenities in high demand are garages, ample storage, fenced yards (for pandemic-era adopted pups), closed rather than open kitchens, greater access to outdoors, and wellness programs.

“Well-living is the new green,” says Manny Gonzalez, AIA, LEED AP, principal at KTGY Architecture + Planning’s Los Angeles office. “People look for air and water filtration, home monitoring, and sustainability.” 

Living in a conservation-minded development where all houses are focused on those principles is another option gaining traction, Aziz says. As an example, he cites architect Drew Lang’s Hudson Woods with 26 modern, sustainable homes on 131 forested Catskills acres.

Also, the more turnkey a listing, the greater the appeal since it’s become harder to find contractors and materials. 

5. What amenities are you looking for in nearby towns?

Depending on the location, more stores are remaining open during what were once non-peak times because of the increased traffic. Waldrop attributes the popularity of her area’s Central Beach downtown to the bustling activity of an open farmer’s market, ice cream shops, restaurants, and parks.

In the Hamptons, art galleries have opened after testing the waters with pop-ups, says Saatchi. The Cape, once empty in winter, is experiencing growing pains as residents seek services, says Martin. “The Cape is going to have to pivot and figure out how to do this,” she says. 

In Harbor Country Michigan, increased population has led to a need for more trash pickups, says Milovich. In Palm Springs, the dining scene has ratcheted up, Munic adds.

What’s Ahead in Hot Markets

For now, the pace remains dizzying. “In the first two months of this year, Grimes’ rental company hit 50 percent of its total 2020 revenue,” she says. Milovich says his area’s listings with pools already are booked. 

Yet, some of the any-price-goes mentality is beginning to wane, Saatchi says. “I see more buyers get sober, stick to a budget, and decide not to bid up prices so high,” she says. Fall may bring a return to what’s more normal, Milovich says. “It still should be strong but not quite what it was a year ago,” he says.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

With more homeowners looking for ways to pamper themselves at home, here are nine ways bathroom makeovers are mimicking aspects of hotels and resorts.

3 Takeaways:

• Standalone tubs are again in demand.
• Bidets became more commonplace after toilet paper shortages at the start of the pandemic.
• The most popular bathroom tech includes dimmable lights, heated floors and towel racks, and the installation of smart speakers to listen to music and podcasts.

With many homeowners continuing to spend more time at home, they’re not only seeking comfort in their kitchens, offices, and outdoor spaces—they’re also updating their master bathrooms to create a spa-like retreat.

Looking to hotels and resorts for inspiration, homeowners are incorporating large showers with multiple faucet sprays, heated floors and towel racks, separate toilet rooms, soothing color palettes, and more, says Mary Cook, founder of the Chicago interior architecture and design firm, Mary Cook Associates.

“Dual-income, well-educated millennials are driving a desire for more bells and whistles, yet they’re choosing ones that are also practical and add value and worth,” she says. 

The most common choices involve sophisticated technology, lower-maintenance materials, and aesthetics found elsewhere in their home.

Not surprisingly, costs add up, but many designers like Denise Benach, director of interior design for Chicago builder Lexington Homes, find that homeowners are willing to spend more on bathrooms. An average remodel now hovers between $10,000 and $25,00, according to HomeAdvisor.

Real estate pros should inform buyers about what’s available so they can get the look and function they want within their budget.

1. Increasing the bathroom footprint.

When houses are built or master bedroom suites added, one goal may be to gain more space. But sometimes that’s a challenge. According to a 2020 Houzz survey, the online decorating source, only 20% of homeowners increased the bathroom’s size during a renovation. Designer Sharon McCormick, whose eponymous firm is in Hartford, Conn., says some homeowners want space for seating, which reflects the role of the bathroom as more than its functional space. Jodi Swarz, head of KitchenVisions in the Boston area, is also witnessing homeowners trade extra bathroom space for an adjacent closet or maybe a dressing room.

2. Bigger, yet simpler showers.

Although a larger, better outfitted shower increases a bathroom remodeling cost threefold, adding up to $14,000, according to the Houzz report, it’s still a feature most homeowners want. Boston-area designer Diane Burcz says her clients want a walk-in shower design. Showers with a curb and linear drain may be about 69 inches wide and 66 inches deep, while those without may be a smaller 52 inches wide and 45 inches deep. Within the shower, many want to add a built-in or portable bench and smart-home plumbing fixtures that personalize the water experience. For example, they might incorporate one or two oversized rain heads that can turn on to a specified temperature and flow, says Burcz.

Broker Millie Rosenbloom, with Baird & Warner in Chicago, who’s selling condos at a new mixed-use development, Parkline Chicago, agrees. “The new designs offer triple the volume of water as the old-fashioned ones did,” she says. Besides a rain head, they may want a hand-held wand. And if the homeowners are a couple, they each may have a different wish list, McCormick says. Some showerheads offer aromatherapy with different scents in the same way you choose your favorite coffee K cup, says JT Norman, business development design and innovation at Elements, the bathroom division at Nazareth, Pa.-based Kitchen Magic.

Overall, the shower look is cleaner with fewer fixtures lining walls, Burcz says. “People no longer want 14 heads to give them the effect of a car wash that blasts them from all sides and uses too much water, as some states mandate usage,” says William Strang, president of operations and ecommerce at TOTO USA.

3. Tubs with sculptural designs.

Rumors of the tub’s demise have turned out to be exaggerated. Those who have the space often want one of the newer sculptural freestanding models. Many designers find these tubs represent an artistic status symbol, says architect William Ramsey, AIA, with KTGY Architecture + Planning’s Denver office.

However, Swarz is among the designers who tries to talk clients out of them since she finds they are hard to get into and out of and not comfortable for resting arms or setting toiletries. If clients want a tub, a more practical option is a drop-in model set against a wall so a ledge can be included. For those seeking something extra, choose a model with jets and lights for chromotherapy.

4. Separate vanities and storage.

The clutter-free look is in, which means there’s a desire for more storage to stash stuff like workout clothes, hairdryers, and electric toothbrushes. More designers are creating separate storage areas for couples who share bathrooms, says Rosenbloom. Chicago designer Susan Brunstrum of Studio Brunstrum says homeowners can do their part by editing what they bring into the room. “Do you really need four bottles of shampoo and five conditioners?” she asks. Some designers also like to raise cabinetry off the floor to make heating and cleaning easier.

Having two vanities or sinks has become a must-have, says Tim Bakke, director of publishing at The Plan Collection, an online home and design company. An alternative is to use one oversized version that resembles a trough with two faucets, says Norman.

For mirrors, Swarz may incorporate a thin bar of light on one side or all around rather than use separate lights above; or she may frame the mirrors like artwork. Because of bathroom chemicals, Rosenbloom prefers quartz to granite and marble for a countertop.

5. More lighting.

The brighter the better these days, particularly when the source is natural light. Some of the Parkline Chicago condominiums have floor to ceiling windows that offer sweeping city and lake views. Skylights or transom windows are another option, says Lynn Schrage, marketing manager, online bathroom design services, for Kohler Co.

For artificial light, LEDs are showing up, often in a warm 2700 Kelvin temperature, says Ramsey. Most lighting plans feature multiple layers with recessed cans—including two in a shower or over a tub. One seemingly universal choice is putting all lamps (bulbs) on dimmers to create different experiences.

6. Larger tiles and bolder accents.

While the most popular palette remains neutral and spa-like—which helps avoid dating a room, Cook says, the specific hues have shifted to warmer greiges, a combination of gray and beige, says Gena Kirk, vice president of the Corporate Studio at Los Angeles-based KB Home.

Colorful accent colors have emerged, such as navy and emerald green, particularly along an accent wall, says Ramsey. The biggest change in color is touches of black in hardware, lighting, fixtures, or shower enclosures. “It offers a dramatic and expensive looking accent,” says Kirk. Ramsey has also mixed black with different metals. But homeowners should be aware that the black trend may have a short shelf life, Strang cautions. 

Many designers also incorporate larger format tiles as big as 24 inches by 24 inches as another accent. They offer the plus of being able to be cleaned easily since they require less grout. New hexagonal-shaped tiles have become popular, though Ramsey thinks this look, too, already is fading.

7. Smart toilets and bidets.

Several trends are gaining momentum: installing a toilet from the wall rather than the floor, concealing the tank in the wall, and adding a commodes cubicle or closet, says Schrage. Wall mounted designs leave more floor space and make it easier to clean underneath. At some luxurious developments such as Mesa Ridge in Las Vegas, Ramsey says two toilets are commonplace.

Due to the larger boomer population, higher or comfort-level ADA toilets have gained interest. The paper toilet shortage at the start of the pandemic also led to greater interest in bidets. Some companies like TOTO USA and Kohler have designed seats that can fit onto an existing toilet, and the latest technology offers features to dry, deodorize, heat the seat and water, have the water pulsate or oscillate, spray a bowl clean after every use, conserve water, and open and close a lid automatically.

8. Speakers and other smart features.

The trend for including a TV in the bathroom for news and entertainment is fading as interest turns to smart speakers for playing music and podcasts. Touchless faucets, which have become commonplace in commercial settings, are starting to gain popularity in homes, too, says Schrage. 

9. Touches of nature.

It’s become well known that nature offers a soothing touch and a sense of healthfulness. Brunstrum suggests bringing in a live plant or two and maybe using a botanical print wallpaper that can hold up to water and moisture. Wallpaper is usually an accent in one area, such as a toilet room. A final must have is a good ventilation system to pare humidity, Schrage says.

5 Quick Tips for a New, Hipper Shower

1. Smart shower devices let each user set the temperature they desire.
2. Steam features add to the spa-like experience, says Swarz.
3. Some homeowners want the shower and tub to be part of an open “wet room,” a Japanese design concept.
4. A heated shower floor provides added luxury, says Rosenbloom.
5. Despite the larger “super” shower trend (especially when homeowners forego the tub), some are paring their showers to 48 inches wide by 60 inches deep to retain heat, says Ramsey.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Home stagers show how lighting can improve a home’s presentation for showings and online photos.

Key Takeaways

• A home with dated lighting fixtures is a major turnoff to potential buyers, say 45% of 1,000 surveyed real estate pros.
• Decorative lighting chandeliers and pendants in geometric shapes and in brass or gold metals are among the hottest design trends.
• Home stagers advise using soft white lightbulbs and layering in lights—using overhead fixtures, lamps, and natural light—to achieve the most inviting light.

Lighting matters for making strong impressions. In a 2020 survey of 1,000 real estate professionals conducted by HomeLight, a real estate referral company, 45% of respondents said a home with outdated light fixtures can be a big turnoff to potential buyers. Decorative light fixtures—often referred to as the “jewelry” of home design—and natural light can instantly change the feel and look of a space.

Home stagers offer up four ways to help find the right light for your properties.

1. Swap out dated light fixtures. Decorative lighting that makes an artistic, sculptural statement is a growing trend in home design. Bell says popular fixtures for chandeliers or pendants include geometric or ball-clustered shapes, spiral chandeliers, and gridded honeycomb compositions. Many of these fixtures are in gold and brass metals to make them a room’s focal point, says home stager Krisztina Bell, founder of No Vacancy Inc. and Virtually Staging Properties Inc. in Atlanta. “Builders, flippers, and investors are renovating and updating homes to impress potential buyers, and lighting is one of the features they’re going all out on to really make a statement,” Bell says.

2. Filter in natural light. Dated window treatments—like valances, drapes, and curtains—not only block natural light but also risk making your sellers’ home look outdated, said nearly half of real estate pros in HomeLight’s survey. “Let as much daylight into the room as possible,” says Audra Slinkey, president and founder of Home Staging Resource, a training center for the staging industry. “Usually this is best done by removing dated window coverings and trimming back greenery on the outside.”

Overgrown shrubbery can also block light and any picturesque views. Bell says her team of stagers often recommends removing drapes and opening blinds—and pulling them all the way up—to expose windows. This creates “less distraction so buyers focus on seeing themselves living in a home, not observing the purple curtains or heavy traditional gold draperies left behind,” Bell says. “Ensure the sun’s rays are flooding into the property as much as possible.”

3. Use softer bulbs. Swap out high-intensity lightbulbs for warm or soft white ones with a lower Kelvin rating, Slinkey suggests. “The best lightbulbs to purchase for lamps are LEDs with Kelvins at 2700 to 3500 tops,” Slinkey says. “They give the most flattering light to a living space.” Keep all the lightbulbs at the same wattage. “Consistency is key in good lighting, especially for taking photos of a staged home,” Bell adds. “A mix of cool and warm tones can make it challenging for photographers to get that perfect shot.”

4. Layer in the lights. Don’t rely solely on overhead fixtures to light up spaces. “Stagers often will layer the lighting with at least two table lamps and possibly a floor lamp, depending on the size of the room,” Slinkey says.

Using lamps for uplighting against a wall can make a room feel taller. Height and scale matter, too.

To layer lighting near a standard-sized sofa and side table, Slinkey suggests that the combined height of the table and lamp should be 58 to 66 inches. “In a room where people are moving around, it prevents them from having to look into the bulb from either a seated or standing position,” Slinkey explains.

And lighting that sits too high can appear disconnected from the sofa or other adjacent seating.

Dimming can also help highlight certain room features. A dining room becomes more dramatic if there is lower light on the periphery and brighter light on the table, especially if the light is showing off crystal and silver on the table, says Al DeGenova, a longtime lighting industry marketing executive.

Bulbs and windows aren’t the only light sources at your disposal—reflective objects such as mirrors can work, too. “Mirrors can be placed opposite a window, over a fireplace, or near a lamp to reflect the ambient light in the room and have a multiplying effect,” Bell says. Plus, “oversized mirrors that lean against a wall can help a room appear larger.”

See Getting the Right Light to better understand the variety of lightbulbs available today and how to chose the right ones for a home.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission