January 2, 2025
Here Are the Top Colors of 2025
Whether it’s a vibrant pop, muted hue or jewel tone, adding color is a way to breathe life into a new home or add personality to a room looking for an update. No matter the circumstance, choosing a wall color is not an easy feat. Sifting through hundreds of swatches can be overwhelming. Thankfully, the top paint manufacturers have released their picks for “color of the year.”
Here is a look at which colors these companies see trending in 2025 and it’s looking like purples, browns and beach house colors are going to make their marks.
Purples:
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Behr: Rumors; “A luxurious ruby red adding warmth and rich allure."
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Glidden: Purple Basil; "A captivating hue is a blend of warmth and energy, inviting you to embrace the transformative power of color in your space."
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Benjamin Moore: Cinnamon Slate; “A delicate mix of heathered plum and velvety brown, this nuanced color brings a smooth familiarity to any design.”
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Minwax: Violet; “Creates eclectic interiors and unique pieces that come together to make your home feel mystically whimsy.”
Browns:
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Pantone: Mocha Mousse; “A warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.”
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C2: Raku: “An earthy, burnt, brownish red with oxidized undertones that infuse spaces with drama and intimacy. It’s a deep yet vibrant tone with dynamic undertones of rich mahogany that exude a sense of security, simplicity, and sophistication.”
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Dunn Edwards: Caramelized; “A warm terracotta brown with soft, earthy tones reminiscent of sunbaked clay. The ultimate new neutral, this sophisticated color demonstrates versatility, pairing well with various styles, from vintage-inspired interiors to sleek, contemporary spaces that embrace the concept of ‘old is new.’
Beach:
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HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams: Quietude; “Finds its power in its transcendent tranquility. A soft sage with a whisper of blue influence, Quietude is an emerging color for enduring design and soothes any space inside or out.”
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Valspar: Encore; “An anchoring shade that embodies constancy and confidence to let you create a joyful respite from the ebbs and flows of life.”
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Dutch Boy: Mapped Blue; “A versatile medium tone blue with subtle yellow undertones that provides a dependable foundation for homeowners’ evolving personal styles.”
Lastly, Sherwin-Williams opted for a curated collection of colors for their “2025 Color Capsule of the Year” and it fits in nicely with the trends above, featuring a light, muted shade of purple called “Mauve Finery;” shades of brown like “Grounded” and “Clove;” and a darker, nautical blue called “Rain Cloud.”
​​www.nahb.org​
December 19, 2024
9 Home Design Trends That Will Shape Space in 2025
Data-backed design trends that homeowners are searching for next year.
Moving toward 2025, homes are embracing a fresh blend of functionality and artistry. From sustainable materials to tech-integrated spaces to bold color palettes, next year's trend predictions reflect a desire for both comfort and innovation. Here's a look at the design shifts set to transform homes in 2025 from Houzz and Zillow.
Moving toward 2025, homes are embracing a fresh blend of functionality and artistry. From sustainable materials to tech-integrated spaces to bold color palettes, next year's trend predictions reflect a desire for both comfort and innovation. Here's a look at the design shifts set to transform homes in 2025 from Houzz and Zillow.
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1. Cozy Vibes: According to Zillow, listings mentioning "cozy" have increased by 35% compared to last year. Home buyers are embracing smaller, cozier spaces and rejecting the pandemic-era need for more space. The great room might soon be replaced by smaller, color-saturated rooms that serve a specific purpose, such as dens and dining rooms.
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2. English-Style Kitchens: Continuing the cozy trend to kitchens, Houzz reports some homeowners are drawing inspiration from classic English country style. Cabinets with rich woods, natural countertop materials, range alcoves, wood ceiling beams, and collected looks that appear pieced together over time are all highlights of the trend.
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3. Old-World Comeback: Taking the English style a step further, Zillow echoes the belief and says “2025 is set to go full granny, with floral patterns, tapestries, antique furnishings, and chintz making a strong return.” Nostalgia is a growing trend, appearing in 14% more of the site’s listings than in 2023, while "vintage" mentions are up by 9%. The Victorian-era scullery, or second kitchen, is also making a 21st-century comeback.
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4. Abundant Arches: Another extension of organic modern style, arches are showing up frequently in today’s homes, says Houzz. Arches add a touch of playfulness and help soften harsh angles to generate a welcoming, cozy feel. Design pros are incorporating arches throughout the home for doorways, windows, niches, cabinets, and millwork details.
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5. Wet Rooms: In bathrooms, wet rooms continue to catch on, reports Houzz and Zillow. While typically seen in spacious master bathroom layouts, wet rooms are also being adopted for smaller bathrooms. When designers combine the tub and shower into one space, it gives homeowners a wet room arrangement that looks and feels more luxurious than the standard shower-tub combo.
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6. Wood-Infused Warmth: Warmth has been a consistent priority for homeowners in recent years. Paired with neutral palettes, earthy tones, and organic colors, Houzz is seeing wood elements used as ceiling beams, trim, millwork, wall paneling, posts, and cabinetry to add architectural warmth to spaces throughout the home.
7. Electric Features: Many of today's home buyers are seeking out homes with sustainable and environmentally friendly features. Zillow reports whole-home battery mentions have surged by 62% since last year. Solar panels are appearing 18% more often and electric vehicle chargers are appearing in 34% more listings than a year ago.
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8. Mindful Maximalism: Designers are getting requests from homeowners for a more-is-more approach that layers bold color, pattern, and texture. Whether you call it maximalism or “cluttercore,” this design approach celebrates abundance and allows homeowners to furnish their homes with pieces that reflect their personalities, such as bold wallpaper or funky furniture.
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9. Climate Resiliency: With climate-related disasters becoming more frequent, some sellers are highlighting features that offer some degree of protection. Zillow research finds that 86% of recent home buyers say it's very important that a home have at least one climate-resilient feature. The share of listings that mention flood barriers is up 22% compared to last year, seismic retrofitting is up 20%, and references to water catchment systems are up 19%.
December 12, 2024
Pantone's 2025 color is Mocha Mousse: How the company sold color to the world
By Emma Bowman, NPR
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Each year, since the turn of the millennium, word arrives from on high: Pantone, the self-described world's authority on color, announces its Color of the Year.
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On Thursday, Pantone declared "Mocha Mousse" as the color for 2025.
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The "evocative soft brown" or "warming rich brown hue," the company said in a press release, "nurtures with its suggestion of the delectable quality of cacao, chocolate and coffee, appealing to our desire for comfort."
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In unveiling a hue meant to reflect the culture through the language of color, Pantone also forecasts what's next in design trends.
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The earthy color seizes on "a growing movement to align ourselves with the natural world," the release read.
Pantone's Color of the Year is meant to capture the zeitgeist, said Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute. At the same time, it's also intended to serve as a cultural antidote.
"It's emblematic of a snapshot in time and it's giving people what they feel they need — that that color can hope to answer," Pressman said. "It's us taking the temperature: What's taking place in the world around us and how does that get expressed into the language of color?"
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"And as we were doing our research for this year, what we were really seeing more than anything is people looking for harmony and living a life of harmony," she said, and a need to feel "grounded."
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In response to the annual color pick, designers in fashion and interiors, marketers and creators incorporate the pigment into their products to stay on trend. As part of the campaign, brands partner with Pantone, making the company money from owning a color.
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That said, you can expect to see a lot more brown around.
But Pantone is not the only company to develop a standardized set of colors, nor the first to put names to colors. So, what makes Pantone such a color expert?
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From the start, Pantone recognized the need to portray color accurately. More importantly, it knew how to sell it.
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​How Pantone set the industry standard
Before it became the color juggernaut it is today, Pantone was a commercial printing company under a different name. When Lawrence Herbert, a print technician with a background in chemistry, was hired by the corporation in the 1950s, he identified a recurring problem in his work.
When requesting printed copies, of brochures or posters, customers struggled to talk about color accurately. To get the color they were after, as Herbert's son Richard, a former president of Pantone, told NPR's Planet Money earlier this year, they would have to send in an actual sample of the color.
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"Our famous thing was — cut a piece off their tie and send it into the print and say, match this color," Richard said. "They had their own ink formula books, and they could get close. But it was very random."
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In 1963, Lawrence founded the solution. He developed the Pantone Matching System (PMS) as a way to standardize color reproduction so that print copies matched the original, no matter the printing device. He got buy-in from ink makers for his color standard, first in the U.S. and later in Europe and Asia.
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​Pantone expanded its range of pigments, and by 1968 it became the industry standard.
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Pressman credits the shrewd marketer in Herbert for turning Pantone into a widely accepted color system.
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"He understood, if this is an issue going on in print, this is an issue that goes through many other different industries," Pressman said.
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Clients across a range of industries would knock on Pantone's door to get help with getting their color uniform, often before Pantone had developed a way to do so. There was a need in the market for custom color development and Pantone adapted, according to the company's vice president.
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​As other industries, such as the fashion and home markets, turned to Pantone to get the right color match, the company branched out from paper into textiles and created new color formats that could translate to a variety of materials. Today, its library of colors numbers upwards of 10,000 different colors.
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The Color of the Year campaign, aided by its public relations arm, became another opportunity for Pantone to sell its proprietary colors, through the formulation books and color palettes it sells, or brand deals and partnerships.
​Some of its famous trademarked colors belong to big brands. Both Target's bold red and Tiffany & Co.'s robin egg blue belong to the Pantone color family.
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Pantone's precursors are rooted in the need to describe the natural world
A color chosen to correspond to the natural world is fitting, considering the history of modern color systems.
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Before Pantone turned its color standard into a big business, some of the first modern color systems came from naturalists trying to identify and differentiate bird species or flowers in reference works known as color dictionaries.
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Color systems date back to at least the 17th century, but in the 19th century, an ornithologist named Robert Ridgway took issue with some of the existing nomenclature of colors, according to Daniel Lewis, who authored The Feathery Tribe, a biography of Ridgway.
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In his 1912 self-published work, titled Color Standards and Color Nomenclature, an expansion of his first color book of 1886, Ridgway wrote that "the nomenclature of colors remains vague and, for practical purposes, meaningless, thereby seriously impeding progress in almost every branch of industry and research."
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He decried the nondescriptive and befuddling names of popular colors, wrote Lewis, including "baby blue," "London smoke," "ashes of roses" and "elephant's breath."
Ridgway's color dictionary, with over 1,000 colors, included hues that referenced birds, like "Jay Blue," while others derived from fruits — "Apple Green" — or the natural environment, as in "Storm Gray."
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His color book "evolved into the Pantone color chart," according to Lewis. "Ridgway's Colors" are still used today by mycologists, philatelists and food colorists, according to Lewis' 2012 book.
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But his color mixing system was technically flawed, subject to the whims of the natural elements, and never became widely adopted.
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An article in Hyperallergic, an online arts magazine, from 2016 cites a 1985 critique published by the Beta Beta Beta Biological Society: "Color Standardslacks precise descriptions of how to reproduce the colors. In addition to this problem, Ridgway chose some pigments that were not as permanent as he had hoped, but were affected by humidity, abrasion, and hue shift."
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Another edge Pantone has on its competitors is that it knows how to tell stories about color and arrange them in an accessible way.
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​"You can't copyright a word. But when you organize words in a specific way, it tells a story and a unique story. The same is true with color. You can't copyright a color. But, you know, if you create this arrangement of colors that creates a system, that's protectable, and that's copyrightable."
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Because its color system is protected, graphic designers, dye manufacturers and others working in the world of color have been stymied. In 2022, for example, when Pantone's deal with Adobe ended, a paywall went up for the Pantone colors in Photoshop; if you weren't willing to pay a monthly fee, the colors turned black.
Still, according to Pantone, plenty of other people are willing to pay.
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"You have more and more people — as we live in this visual culture — wanting guidance," Pressman said. "So much money rests on these decisions."
December 5, 2024
Top Patio Trends: Looking Back at 2024 and Leaping into 2025
As the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living continue to blur, patios have evolved into sophisticated extensions of the home. In 2024, we witnessed a remarkable transformation in patio design, driven by a desire for personalized, functional, and sustainable outdoor spaces.
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Customization and Personalization: Home owners are seeking to infuse their unique personalities into their outdoor spaces. With 75% of millennials expressing interest in outdoor kitchens, and a 40% increase in entertainment areas, customization is at the forefront of patio design.
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Smart Technology Integration: The integration of smart technology has revolutionized the patio experience. Motorized louvers, integrated LED lighting, and voice-activated controls offer unparalleled convenience and energy efficiency. The global smart-home industry, valued at $154.4 billion, underscores the growing demand for smart solutions.
2025: A Glimpse into the Future of Patio Design
Looking ahead to 2025, we anticipate a continuation of these trends, with an even greater emphasis on sustainability, durability, and adaptability. As the outdoor living market is projected to reach $26.8 billion by 2027, home owners will seek innovative solutions that enhance their outdoor experiences.
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Biophilic Design: Incorporating natural elements like plants, water features, and natural materials into outdoor spaces.
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Sustainable Materials: Adopting eco-friendly materials, such as aluminum and responsibly sourced wood.
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Modular and Customizable Designs: Offering flexibility and adaptability in creating personalized outdoor spaces to suit home owners’ changing needs and preferences.
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Enhanced Privacy: As privacy concerns grow, innovative solutions like retractable screens and privacy walls will become increasingly popular, providing secluded and intimate outdoor retreats.
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Leading the Way in Sustainable Luxury
Azenco Outdoor, a leading name in the pergola market, demonstrates how merging technological advancements with an eco-conscious ethos can yield outdoor structures that are both beautiful and beneficial to our environment.
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"By implementing sustainable materials like high-quality aluminum and leveraging energy-efficient manufacturing processes, we ensure that our pergolas add value to the property and have minimal impact on the planet," shares Leslie Chapus, Azenco Outdoor co-founder and VP. Azenco's commitment to sustainability is further evidenced by their collaboration with 4ocean, an organization dedicated to ocean cleanup.
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Partnering with the Right Professionals
To bring these trends to life, it's essential to partner with experienced professionals who understand the latest design principles and construction techniques. Azenco Outdoor's network of qualified dealers offers a wealth of expertise and a wide range of customizable products to help you create the perfect outdoor environment.
2024: A Year of Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living
As Houzz reported, the demand for outdoor spaces has surged by 50% since 2020, highlighting the growing desire for harmonious living environments. 2024 saw a surge in demand for personalized and integrated outdoor spaces. Key trends that defined patio design in 2024 include:
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Multi-functional Spaces: Patios have evolved into versatile hubs for relaxation, entertainment, and even remote work. According to the National Association of Realtors, 64% of home owners aspire to create multi-functional outdoor spaces, a confirmed trend in 2024 and that is poised to accelerate in the coming year.
November 21, 2024
What's Next for the 2025 Housing Market?
NAR economists weigh in on home sales and mortgage rates—and how the election results, the economy and changing buyer demographics could impact your real estate business in the year ahead.
​Factors that could change Yun’s forecast: a reduction in the budget deficit, an easing of housing regulations are holding up home builders, or a significant increase in the labor force to help lower inflationary pressures. In such cases, “mortgage rates could come down quickly,” Yun noted.
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Nevertheless, the “locked-in” effect of homeowners feeling stuck-in-place with 2% or 3% mortgage rates from recent years will lessen over time, Yun said. Yun pointed to the 3.5 million new babies being born each year as well as the 1.5 million marriages, 700,000 divorces, 3.5 million people turning 65, and 25 million job changes that take place each year—all milestones that often trigger real estate moves.
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Home Prices Increases Slowly After Rapid Rises
While homeowners have enjoyed record-breaking equity gains, home buyers’ have been struggling with affordability. A typical homeowner has accumulated $147,000 in housing wealth just over the last five years, according to NAR’s research. As a result, the spread in median net worth between homeowners and renters continues to grow. It stands at $415,000 for homeowners versus $10,000 for renters, Yun said.
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“The strong price increases cannot be sustainable for another five years, or America will be divided … with only a few getting to experience the tremendous housing wealth,” Yun said. “If we bring more supply to the housing market, home price increases will not be as outrageous … and will be more in line with wages.”
Yun’s forecast:
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2025 median home price: $410,700; up 2% over 2024.
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2026 median home price: $420,000, up 2% over 2025.
A Different Type of Buyer Emerges
The profile of home buyers are changing, Lautz said, presenting data from NAR’s newly released 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Here’s a few of the changes observed in the report:
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More buyers are skipping the mortgage. With the sizable housing equity gains many owners have experienced, all-cash buyers have surged to record highs, accounting for 26% of home sales over the past year. Thirty-one percent of repeat buyers paid all-cash for their next home purchase.
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First-time buyers are getting older. The median age of a first-time home buyer was 38, an all-time high. “They are having to save for a longer period of time or maybe wait for the ‘bank of mom and dad’ to give them” the funds to buy, Lautz said. Twenty-five percent of first-time buyers used a gift or loan from a relative or friend for their home purchase; 20% took money out of financial assets like stocks, 401ks or cryptocurrency to afford homeownership; and 7% used inheritance money for their purchase—a record high, Lautz noted. First-time buyers are coming up with the highest down payments in nearly 30 years—at 9%—in order to afford the higher home prices.
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The allure of cities grows. The pandemic may have unleashed a trend of suburban movers, but people are now heading back to city centers—the largest uptick in a decade, Lautz said.
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More buyers are pooling their money. The number of multigenerational households surged to an all-time high of 17% over the past year. “The number one reason is for cost savings,” Lautz said. “They’re combining incomes” in order to afford homeownership. They’re also buying a multigenerational home to take care of aging parents or because of young adults are moving back home, Lautz noted.
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Single women buyers continue to outpace single men buyers. A drop in marriage rates has triggered more consumers to enter the housing market on their own. Single women held a 24% share of the home-purchase market over the past year. For single men, it was 11%.
The last two years have been tough for many people who work in home sales or who were in the market to buy or sell, but the worst may be over, Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of REALTORS®, told a crowd of real estate professionals during NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, in Boston on Friday.
Yun released a rosier forecast for the housing market for 2025 and 2026, with an outlook for higher home sales and moderating mortgage rates.
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Also speaking at Friday’s Residential Economic Issues and Trends Forum, NAR’s Deputy Chief Economist Jessica Lautz shared new NAR data that looked at who’s buying homes today. The data shows growth in all-cash buyers, multigenerational purchases and single buyers.
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On the selling side, homeowners are feeling richer from the rapidly rising prices of the past few years. Now, more listings are coming up for sale, and the economy is seeing improvement. All those factors could get more Americans moving in the year ahead, he said. Further, this week marked the conclusion of a contentious presidential election.
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“We’ve seen after presidential elections—and it doesn’t matter who wins—that there’s usually a slight boost in home sales,” Yun said. “It removes some uncertainty. Now you know it’s the policy [of President Trump], and you can make predictions about what will happen and make a decision based on that.”
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Here’s an overview of NAR’s predictions on key housing indicators for the year ahead.
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Home Sales to Rise
With improving job numbers and recent gains in the stock market, more Americans may be motivated to act, Yun said. Yun predicts an uptick of nearly 2 million jobs for 2025 and another nearly 2 million increase in 2026, which could bode well for the housing market.
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“2023 and 2024 were both difficult years in the housing market,” Yun said. But pending home sales eked out a 3% year-over-year gain in September, he said, a signal that is “maybe the worst is over.” Other good signs: Inventory of both new and existing homes is increasing, and the U.S. population has grown by 70 million from 1995, even though home sales have remained mostly at 1995 levels, signaling pent-up demand.
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Here's Yun’s forecast over the next two years:
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2025 sales projection: Existing home sales to rise 9% year-over-year; New home sales to jump by 11%.
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2026 sales projection: Existing-home sales to rise 13% year-over-year; new home sales to increase by 8%.
Mortgage Rates to Moderate
The trajectory of mortgage rates will have a major bearing on how the housing market will fare, Yun said.
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According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has ranged from 6.08% to 7.44% over the past 52 weeks. Yun says the rates should stabilize at the low end of that range for 2025 and 2026.
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On Thursday, the Federal Reserve announced its second rate cut of the year, reducing its short-term benchmark rate by a quarter-point. The Fed is anticipated to reduce its interest rate an additional four times over the next year.
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But hopeful buyers who may be waiting for lower mortgage rates likely won’t see that anytime soon, Yun said. “Mortgage rates will not decline in tandem” with the Fed’s rate cut, he said, blaming the bloated budget deficit as the reason. “With a large budget deficit, there’s less mortgage money available. The government is borrowing so much of its money. A large budget deficit will prevent mortgage rates from going down to 4%” as they did during President Trump’s first term.
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November 7, 2024
9 Home Décor Trends to Say Goodbye to in 2025
Do what you love—but consider leaving these trends behind.
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Home décor trends come and go. One minute, the '70s are back, and the next, mid-century modern is seeing a resurgence (again). There's always something new on the horizon, which means there will likely be a few design trends on their way out. While you should always stay true to the décor and furnishings that align with your design style, it's helpful to know what looks are past their prime, especially if you're planning to redecorate or renovate. Here's what trends interior designers say you should consider skipping if you're giving your home a refresh in 2025.
1. Over-Staging a Home
To kick things off on a note that should let you stress a little less about your décor, Cathleen Gruver, lead interior designer at Gruver Cooley Interiors, says, "I think the biggest home décor trend that is on its way out is over-staging a home. You can tell when a room's décor has been curated or looks more like something out of a department store vignette."
She explains that there's a fine line between a space that feels collected and one that matches a little too much. Rather than focusing on trying to stage the perfect space, mix items that you've inherited, vintage finds, and new pieces that catch your eye. "The new trend is all about styling for you versus having a styled room," she says.
2. Repetitive Patterns on Walls
Repeating patterns and motifs on wallpaper have existed for centuries, so they'll never truly go out of style. But Kshama Shah, owner and principal designer at House of Design, sees other wall design options making a bigger splash in the new year—and she points out that the alternative may have more staying power.
"Because patterns may go out of style, murals are catching up quickly. Wallpaper murals are excellent statement pieces and showcase your walls as one large piece of art," says Shah.
3. All-White Kitchens
White kitchens are classic but are becoming less popular as more eclectic design styles take over. “All-white kitchens definitely had their moment, but we are seeing that they are on the way out," says Alexis Woodbury Earman, interior stylist at The Woodbury Home. "Instead, rich woods and darker colors are beginning to pop up in kitchens, creating a much more individualized look." She especially thinks wood kitchens will be popular in the coming year.
4. Bouclé
Boucle may be a practical, stylish fabric, but it is also one of the most finicky. Pet claws love to snag in its tiny loops, and it never looks as good as the first day you get it home. So perhaps it is good news that Tracy Metro, interior designer and host of Netflix’s House Doctor, says it is on its way out. However, she points out that if you love bouclé and are willing to splurge on a high-end version, you can find one that is supple, soft to the touch, and more durable.
5. Waterfall Islands
In the past few years, kitchens have evolved from sleek and modern to cozier, more intimate, and vintage-inspired. Because of that transformation, some of the hottest trends from years-past are now falling by the wayside. "I might get some backlash for this one, but waterfall island ends have been done so much," says Cyndy Cantley, owner of Cantley & Company. "Think classic and timeless so you will never know what year your kitchen was remodeled."
6. Open Shelving
For those who don't love to dust or don't want to worry about keeping their kitchenware perfectly organized, Cantley is on your side. "Unless you love to always be ready for a photo shoot, open shelving is not an easy look to keep pristine and dusted."
Instead, she anticipates something lower effort (but with the same pretty look) will take over. "I think we'll see more cabinets with glass doors for a little less maintenance where you can still see your fantastic-looking dishes."
7. Rustic Style
If you don't love the rustic look of unfinished wood, then you're in luck. That aesthetic is going to see itself out in 2025, according to Christina Melander, interior designer and founder of Knotty Pine Design. "Distressed wood finishes, bleached barn-style wood finishes, live-edge wood tables and bars had a moment, but people are looking for rounded corners and more sheen and polish," she says. She anticipates people will gravitate towards a look that has the casual vibe of rustic décor but is softer and more pulled together.
8. Singular Style Spaces
Don't feel pressure to confine your entire home to one design aesthetic—Melander predicts singular-style spaces are on their way out. "People don't want purely mid-century modern or purely industrial or fully traditional or 100 percent Scandinavian," says Melander.
Instead, spaces should be as flexible and forgiving as the people that inhabit them. She explains that homes should evolve as style and circumstances evolve, and that's easier when you haven't pigeonholed yourself into one style. As people start buying more secondhand pieces, they are embracing a mix of modern, traditional, and vintage elements.
9. Bold, Graphic Patterns
Patterns will always be in, but Melander predicts that people will start walking away from graphic, bold patterns throughout the home, whether that's on the walls, in tile, or on rugs. "Design is leaning more organic, and people are going for florals and botanicals with more fluidity," says Melander. Maybe that's a sign that we're all craving something more relaxed and peaceful in 2025.
October 17-24, 2024
What's In & What's Out in New Homes, pt 1&2
Clothing fashions may change every season, while home designs adjust a little more gradually.
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Innovations in residential design depend on technology, product designs, the imaginations of interior designers and architects and research into the lifestyle and priorities of new-home buyers.
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“There are a few common societal trends driving change in new homes today,” says Douglas Smith, president of Miller & Smith, a regional homebuilder based in McLean, Va. “Most important is the time constraint that everyone feels, which means we all want things in our homes to make our lives easier.”
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Smith also says that people have more casual lifestyles than in the past and expect their homes to reflect their lack of formality.
WHAT'S IN
Smart Home Technology
“The biggest, fastest change we’re seeing in new homes is the use of technology,” says Sabine H. Schoenberg, founder and host of Sabine’s New House in Greenwich, Conn. “Consumers are embracing smart home features for energy efficiency and safety and security, with entertainment a distant third priority.”
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Smith says wireless technology like door locks you can control with an app and Nest “learning” thermostats make life easier for homeowners and are embraced by both younger and older buyers.
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Entertaining in the Kitchen
Kitchens have become the showplace of the home and the largest area of the house, says Smith, now that everyone entertains casually.
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“The more open your floor plan, the better you want your kitchen to look,” says Schoenberg. “Kitchen islands are getting bigger and are being designed for multifunctional use with materials that are anti-microbial and stain resistant.”
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Flexible Rooms
Smith says he likes to put a flexible space on each level, such as a home office on the first floor that can morph into a guest room or a dining room and a play room that can become a study upstairs.
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Schoenberg says a room with a big table can function as an office and then be cleared for occasional use as dining room.
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“I think it’s smart to set up every room with pocket doors or a barn door so you can have your whole first floor open or you can close some off for separation,” says Schoenberg.
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Low-Maintenance Materials
“Another time-saver for downsizing buyers and for busy young families is that homes can be built with materials that don’t need to be constantly painted or maintained,” says Smith. Granite counters, Hardie Plank siding and even longer-lasting paint reduce the workload for homeowners.
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Cleaner Exterior Style
Buyers like a clean look, such as white bricks, on the outside of their house and prefer a farmhouse-style with cream, white, blue and gray colors rather than the multiple colors and dark trim found on Craftsman-style homes, says Megan Harris, director of design for Edward Andrews Homes in Atlanta.
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Rustic Touches
Homes with natural wood beams and even natural wood ceilings were among the winners of the Best in American Living Awards at the National Association of Home Builders’ 2017 International Builders Show.
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“I like to use barn doors made of authentic old wood as counterpoint to the sleek cabinets in a modern kitchen,” says Schoenberg. “Sometimes I add glass panels like French doors for a more contemporary look. It’s nice to have an accent of something rustic in a modern house to add the idea of history.”
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Blending Outdoor and Indoor Living
“Buyers are adding covers or screens to their outdoor spaces so they can use them year-round,” says Harris. “They also like direct access from the master suite, as well as living areas to a patio or porch.”
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Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are popular, along with walls of glass doors for visual connections between indoor and outdoor rooms, says Smith.
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“We’ve brought back screened porches even for townhouses because people want to use them in three seasons,” says Smith.
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Schoenberg says outdoor TVs and speakers are also popular for entertaining outside.​
Hybrid Interior Design
Harris says buyers like a contemporary look, but prefer to tone it down for themselves. For instance, in a modern farmhouse, they’ll have a traditional cabinet, but painted white, and with a modern handle and an industrial-looking faucet.
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“Millennials take more risks, are creative and willing to mix different colors and design styles,” says Smith. “They rarely choose something completely traditional or purely Southern in style.”
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WHAT'S OUT
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Wood-Burning Fireplaces
“Most new floor plans don’t have a fireplace,” says Harris. “This gives buyers the flexibility of having different built-ins as a focal point, such as floating shelves or bookcases.”
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Some buyers like a modern electric fireplace in place of a traditional fireplace.
“It’s inconceivable to people interested in green building to put in a wood-burning fireplace, because it puts a hole in the home’s energy efficiency,” says Schoenberg.
“Linear gas fireplaces with crystals in the bottom are here to stay because it gives the visual impact of flames and it’s also safer around children.”
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Clutter
Buyers want to see efficiency in every aspect of their new homes, says Schoenberg, so closet systems and organizers are very popular. Organizers built into kitchen cabinets and drawers are also desirable.
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Standard Bathtubs
“Most buyers want a larger, more luxurious shower rather than a big soaking tub,” says Harris. “If they have the space, they’ll put in a freestanding tub rather than a drop-in tub.”
Dark Hardwood Flooring
While staining wood floors darker was popular earlier in this century, now the trend has reverted to lighter wood tones with gray, blond and white-washed treatments. Harris says wide planks are also popular.
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Whether you like what’s in or what’s out, the beauty of buying a newly built home is that you can personalize it to your taste.
September 26, 2024-October 3, 2024
What Lower Interest Rates Could Mean for Our Industry
After months of anticipation, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates on Wednesday by half a percentage point. That will have an impact on the housing market — but it's unlikely to make a huge difference for those struggling to afford a home. Let's take a look.
That's tough for first-time homebuyers. Kim Kronenberger, a real estate agent in the Denver area, says she worries for the would-be homebuyers who keep waiting for affordability to improve.
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These buyers have struggled to find their first home as many were scared off by bidding wars during the low-interest-rate era — and then were rebuffed by high mortgage rates and still-high prices.
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"A lot of those buyers, they absolutely have regret," she says of people who didn't buy a home at the start of the pandemic, when rates were low but home prices hadn't yet skyrocketed.
"Because had they bought four years ago, they would have been in a whole different place than they are now." Don Payne, a real estate agent in Columbus, Ohio, says there's more inventory of larger homes for homebuyers trading up: "Builders are building them, and existing homeowners have those too."
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The big problem is a lack of starter homes.
"Folks are trying to get their first house, and there's a huge shortage on that," he says.
Dropping interest rates could lead to more housing supply
A key reason for high home prices currently is the lack of housing supply: The U.S. is short millions of housing units. Supply has not kept pace with demand, especially as the large millennial generation is forming households and trying to buy homes.
High interest rates didn't help, making it harder for some homebuilders to get projects off the ground, especially smaller, private developers. That's because the rates on loans that builders get for acquisition, development and construction are closely tied to the rate set by the Fed.
So this rate cut should make it easier for those developers to get building again.
The fact that lower mortgage rates are expected to spur more homebuyers to buy will also serve as an incentive for builders to get building.
That's good news for the supply side of the housing equation — more homes getting built and into the market will relieve some of the demand that pushes up prices. But, of course, it will take time for those homes to be completed.
Affordability will still be a big problem
Lower mortgage rates can certainly bring down a homebuyer's monthly mortgage payment. But when home prices are sky-high, it will still be hard for many people to find a home they can afford.
Dougherty, the Wells Fargo economist, says home prices have risen by about 50% since early 2020, faster than average household income growth during that time.
"That has been a really big driver in terms of making housing out of reach for a lot of prospective buyers," he says.
During the pandemic, a huge number of homeowners refinanced their mortgages to take advantage of record-low rates. Nearly 60% of active mortgages now have rates below 4% — rates so low that those homeowners are unlikely to refinance again.
In other words: It will take more than the Fed's rate cut to fix America's housing problems.
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SOURCE: NPR
Mortgage rates might not actually drop much further right now
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Mortgage rates have been pretty high for the last couple of years, especially compared with the historic lows they reached during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Rates bottomed out below 3% for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage during 2020 and 2021 when the pandemic led to lockdowns, but they then climbed to nearly 8% last year amid a robust economy and rising inflation.
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But the prospect of rate cuts has already helped send mortgage rates lower, even before the Fed announced its actual decision on Wednesday. Long-term fixed-rate mortgage rates are now at 6.2%, the lowest since February 2023. (It's worth noting, though, that other factors besides the Federal Reserve's benchmark interest rate influence mortgage rates, including economic conditions.)
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This means effectively that the rate cut announced by the Federal Reserve may already be priced in — though mortgage rates are bound to fall a little more given that policymakers have made clear they intend to continue cutting interest rates into next year.
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Charlie Dougherty, a senior economist at Wells Fargo, expects mortgage rates to drop "marginally" after the Fed's rate cut on Wednesday.
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He and his colleagues forecast that the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage will be about 6.2% by the end of this year — where it is now.
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But Dougherty expects the 30-year mortgage rate to fall closer to 5.5% by the end of 2025, still above pre-pandemic levels.
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Lower mortgage rates could actually mean
higher housing prices
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Here's the thing: Lower mortgage rates may not make it easier to buy a home. In fact, it could make it more difficult and lead to higher home prices.
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That's because lower mortgages are likely to lure more buyers back to the market, bringing in more competition for a limited supply of houses.
September 19, 2024
More 2025 Design Trends
If you or your clients are looking for the next big thing in home interiors, we continue our list of trend-spotting with these eye-catching design ideas.
• Color Drenched Rooms
Bold, saturated colors are making a comeback in 2025. Color-drenched rooms, featuring a single hue in varying shades, create a cohesive and impactful look. This trend is perfect for those who love playful interiors, want to make a statement, or infuse their spaces with a chic personality.
• Sustainability: Eco-Friendly Living
Sustainability continues to be a top priority in interior design. In 2025, designers are focusing on creating beautiful spaces that are also eco-friendly. Vegan leathers, non-toxic materials, and eco-friendly products are essential for sustainable design. Additionally, look for reusable and re-purposable items to reduce waste and create a more sustainable home.
• Sensorial Interior Design
In 2025, interior design will focus on creating immersive environments that appeal to all the senses. Incorporate textures, scents, sounds, and lighting to create a multi-sensory experience. Think soft rugs, aromatic candles, soothing music, and adjustable lighting. Consider their effects on your mood and use them to define or transform the room’s atmosphere.
• Casually Comfortable Furniture
In 2025, the trend is toward comfortable and inviting furniture that doesn’t sacrifice style. Oversized sofas, deep-seated chairs, and rounded edges are key elements of this trend, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that blends seamlessly with modern or traditional decor.
September 5, 2024
Interior Design Trends for 2025
2025 is all about bold colors, sustainable materials, and multifunctional furniture. Discover how these interior design trends can transform your living space and create a stylish and functional home.
Here are some key take-aways:
• Minimalist With a Cozy Twist
Scandinavian design continues to be a popular choice, especially when paired with other influential aesthetics. Japandi, a trend that combines Scandinavian and Japanese design elements, remains relevant in 2025. This style emphasizes minimalism, natural materials, and a neutral palette, complemented by cozy elements like soft textiles and warm lighting. The result is a serene and inviting atmosphere that promotes well-being.
• Textured Walls & Ceilings
Say goodbye to plain walls! In 2025, textured walls are taking center stage. Wallpapered ceilings, wood paneling, and decorative plaster finishes will add depth and visual interest to your home. Get ready to transform flat surfaces into dynamic focal points.
• Home Wellness Spaces
As people prioritize health and well-being, dedicated wellness spaces are becoming increasingly popular in home design. From small yoga studios and meditation rooms to luxurious spa-like bathrooms, these areas offer a tranquil retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation. Incorporate natural light, indoor plants, and calming colors to create a truly restorative environment.
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• Integrated Outdoor Living
The trend of blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces continues to gain popularity. Outdoor living areas can be designed to be just as comfortable and stylish as indoor spaces. Incorporate outdoor kitchens, cozy seating areas, and weather-resistant decor to create a seamless transition.
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• Discreet Tech
In 2025, technology will become even more seamlessly integrated into our homes. Smart home devices will be designed to blend effortlessly with your decor, creating a discreet and stylish living environment. Hidden speakers, wireless charging furniture, and voice-controlled lighting are just a few examples of how technology will be incorporated into your home.
August 31, 2024
Rising Trends
in Number of Bathrooms in Single-Family Homes
A majority of single-family homes started in 2023 continued to have two full bathrooms. According to the latest release of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction, 64.7% of new single-family homes had two full bathrooms, 23.8% had three full bathrooms, 6.9% had four or more full bathrooms, and only 4.6% had one full bathroom or less.
The share of single-family homes with two bathrooms increased from 62.3% to 64.7% — the largest increase since 2018. This reverses a two-year trend of consecutive decreases. The share of single-family starts with three full bathrooms fell for the second straight year, down to 23.8%, and the share of single-family homes started with 4 or more bathrooms share decreased to 6.9%, after increasing the prior two years. Meanwhile, the share of single-family starts with one full bathroom or less rose to 4.6% — the third straight increase.
Geographically, the New England census division had the highest share of new single-family starts with two full bathrooms at 75.6%. This share jumped by 22.2 percentage points from 2022, and this was the first time since 2017 that the New England share was the largest in the nation. The lowest share census division was the Middle Atlantic, with 50.0% of new single-family starts reporting two full bathrooms. The share of new single-family started with two full bathrooms fell 9.2 percentage points from 2022 in the Middle Atlantic.
August 22, 2024
Top 9 Smart Home Trends & Innovations in 2025
The smart home industry is transitioning towards automation and digitalization. Automated homes of today have an entire ecosystem of connected devices. Connected home startups and scaleups are developing solutions aimed at providing homeowners with the best home experience while maintaining safety.
Smart home connectivity, smart home security, personalized health management, and next-generation entertainment are some major smart home trends. Many smart home owners are also integrating robotics into their daily lives to automate mundane tasks. Many smart home trends are in the development process and are witnessing rapid innovation.
For this in-depth research on the Top 9 Trends & Startups, we analyzed a sample of 1 994 global startups and scaleups. The result of this research is data-driven innovation intelligence that improves strategic decision-making by giving you an overview of emerging technologies & startups in the smart home industry. These insights are derived by working with our Big Data & Artificial Intelligence-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 4.7M+ startups & scaleups globally. As the world’s largest resource for data on emerging companies, the SaaS platform enables you to identify relevant startups, emerging technologies & future industry trends quickly & exhaustively.
In the Innovation Map below, you get an overview of the Top 9 Smart Home Trends & Innovations that impact smart home companies worldwide.
Moreover, the Smart Home Innovation Map reveals 18 hand-picked startups, all working on emerging technologies that advance their field.
Top 9 Smart Home Industry Trends
Startups are developing technological solutions to improve the experience of homeowners. Smart home connectivity is a major trend within smart homes, which enables devices to become intelligent and act within an entire ecosystem. Another trend is in-house security to prevent burglars. The next spot is taken by personalized health management for better care of residents’ health. Smart home heating ensures efficient energy usage for heating, whereas next-generation entertainment technologies keep them entertained. Other smart home trends include advanced lighting, intelligent energy management, robotics, and sustainable home solutions.
August 15, 2024
Top 10 Interior Design
Trends for 2025
Over the next two weeks we will share the Top 10 Interior Design Trends for 2025. Here are the first five:
Modern eclecticism
Those who love to collect items and mesh different styles in their own unique space will love the modern eclecticism trend. While you may have looked at your grandparent’s home and thought, “There’s way too much going on here”, modern eclecticism shows us the possibility of combining contemporary hints with period furniture, minimalism and crafts to bring in that personalized aesthetic.
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Quiet luxury
Some of the most captivating spaces are created by building the aesthetic of the room around a timeless piece, and that’s exactly what quiet luxury is. Think large furniture with classic shapes and silhouettes, luxuriously soft textured fabrics and rich woods that scream sophistication, and you’ve got it.
Soft Minimalism
While the concept of minimalism has still gripped people’s hearts, finding the balance of bringing in some soul and lighting up your interior spaces with things you love gives it some soul and doesn’t make the environment feel so sterile.
Soft minimalism includes using warm colors, light wood, and textiles. A bright armchair original coffee table will work wonders to bring soft minimalism to life.
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Comfort
2024 has been labelled the year of prioritizing comfort and creating spaces where people want to spend as much time as possible. This trend incorporates modular, functional, and flexible furniture as well as tactile fabrics to promote a feeling of coziness and closeness. Think modular sofas that can easily be adjusted to fit your guests for a hang-out.
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Texture
From the walls to the furniture, texture is in! The use of textures creates a welcoming and harmonious sensory experience that emphasizes comfort, balance, and serenity. To implement this trend, consider using contrasting fabrics, layering various fabrics, or adding textured furniture. Wood is a firm favorite among interior designers thanks to its authenticity, versatility, and beauty. Marble pieces also add a touch of texture and sophistication to interiors.
August 8, 2024
What Buyers Expect to Pay vs.
Actual Home Prices
There is a major gap between buyers’ expectations and home prices, according to recent surveys from NAHB and the U.S. Census Bureau.
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While 38% of buyers expect to pay less than $250,000 for their next home, only 5% of homes that started construction in 2023 are actually priced under $250,000.
The chart illustrates the contrast.
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For new homes priced below $250,000, the red bars are longer than the blue bars, indicating that the share of prospective and recent buyers exceeds the share of new homes being built in those price ranges. Above $250,000, the opposite is true. The blue bars are longer than the red bars, indicating that the share of homes being built exceeds the share of buyers in the market at those prices.
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While existing homes in the starter market have traditionally consisted of the bulk of sales for buyers with modest incomes, the supply of homes in the resale market have been running at historically low levels for several years and prices of existing homes have been setting record highs. Indeed, the median price of an existing home in May was well over $400,000. A major part of the reason for this limited existing inventory is due to the interest rate “lock-in effect,” where home owners are reluctant to sell their home because their current mortgage rate is well below market rates.
Another large part of the explanation for the actual versus expected price mismatch is the cost of new home construction. Residential construction wages continue to rise. Although prices of many residential building materials have been stable recently, the stability comes after massive increases in the two years following the onset of the COVID pandemic. A shortage of lots has been a chronic issue since the home building industry started to recover from the Great Recession.
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Moreover, regulatory costs can be substantial. NAHB’s latest study on the topic shows regulation accounting for $93,870 of the cost of an average new single-family home. The largest regulatory cost impact, $24,414, comes from changes to building codes over the past 10 years. This is followed by $12,184 in fees paid by the builder after purchasing the lot, $11,791 in regulatory costs incurred by the developer during site work, $10,854 in the value of land that must be purchased and dedicated to the government or otherwise left unbuilt, and $10,794 in required architectural details that exceed what the builder would ordinarily do.
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NAHB Senior Economist Paul Emrath provides more analysis in this Eye on Housing blog post.
August 1, 2024
Five MORE Home Design Trends Taking Off Right Now
A lot of factors contribute to what homes look like at any given moment. Some are easy to pin down, such as an ongoing desire for classic materials like wood and natural stone. Others are a bit more abstract or unexpected, such as a pandemic and subsequent supply chain issues causing dramatic shifts in homeowner choices. Either way, home design trends can help us understand general moods in society and give us ideas for how we want to shape our own homes.
Here are 4 more home design trends that came up again and again.
6. Natural Materials
Natural materials rarely go out of style, but they’re certainly at a high point lately. They include the previously mentioned natural wood cabinets, as well as stone countertops and stone tile.
7. Nested Interior Design
Designer Erika Morris of Nested Interior Design attributes the shift to changing attitudes toward synthetic materials. “I think that the saturation of ‘newness’ has run its course and clients are starting to look for materials that feel more established, handmade or authentic,” she says. “After seeing so many homes put in the same engineered white quartz, brand-new shiny tile and mosaics, etc., clients are wanting to see materials that have some life in them or feel like they would be authentic to the space. Quartzite — and even granite — with tons of character is becoming more popular.”
8. Layers of Textures
One phrase that came up again and again in conversations with design professionals was “layered texture” in decor, wallpaper, materials and accessories. “Combining items like wood, pottery, rattan, metal and textural fabrics creates a visual feast for the eyes and invites people to reach out and touch as well,” says Garvin of 1st Impressions Design.
9. Curves
Curved and rounded furniture is capturing a lot of attention. “A design trend that I think is morphing into a less stylized version of itself is the use of curvy organic forms in all types of furniture and all types of design styles, not just modern,” designer Murphy Moon says.
10. Minimalism
On the other hand, some design pros are seeing a more maximalist style take hold, specifically a perked-up traditional look that combines vintage pieces with lots of upbeat pattern and wallpaper. “There is a resurgence of traditional, but it’s coming back in a very fun way,” says designer Alexandra Denburg of M&P Design Group. “Lots of softer warm tones, exposed woods and pattern mixing.”
July 25, 2024
5 Home Design Trends
Taking Off Right Now
A lot of factors contribute to what homes look like at any given moment. Some are easy to pin down, such as an ongoing desire for classic materials like wood and natural stone. Others are a bit more abstract or unexpected, such as a pandemic and subsequent supply chain issues causing dramatic shifts in homeowner choices. Either way, home design trends can help us understand general moods in society and give us ideas for how we want to shape our own homes.
Here are 5 home design trends that came up again and again.
​Andrea Schumacher Interiors
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1. Color, Color, Color
By far the trend reported most by home design and remodeling professionals was a renewed interest in adding bright and bold color to interiors. “Clients want color, color and more color, which is definitely a departure from the past,” says designer Lexi Brandfon of Lex & Hudson.
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2. Wallpaper
In addition to color, designers are excited about an outpouring of interest in bold wallpaper. “My clients are more likely to consider this now in spaces,” says designer Jamie Olivarez of Pink Door Designs. As with the trend toward color, the pandemic might be contributing to the rise in the popularity of wallpaper. “I think the pandemic played a big part in the need for bright and happy spaces,” says designer Catherine Carabello of CMC Designs Charleston.
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3. Warm and Soft Kitchens
While pros say a desire for bold color is extending into kitchens, many report that some homeowners are asking for a warm and soft style.
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“Creating a home that feels like a haven from the stresses of daily life is still very important,” says designer Debra Garvin of 1st Impressions Design. “In the past couple of years, our homes served as our office, classroom and a place for a staycation. Even though life seems to be returning to normal, that new appreciation for home hasn’t disappeared, and I don’t think it will anytime soon. More than ever, we want a place to rest, relax and recharge our batteries. Considering those goals, my design clients have been asking for finishes that add softness, warmth and texture to a room.”
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4. Green Kitchen Cabinets
Green has been coming up repeatedly in trend coverage over the past couple of years. But lately, designers say there’s an increased interest specifically in green kitchen cabinets,
especially sage green. Midtone greens such as Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams, shown here, are also popular. “Green seems to be the color of the moment, whether it’s in the cabinets or paint, either super dark or a very pale version,” says designer Sarah Farouk of FineLine Kitchens.
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5. Wood Kitchen Cabinets
Natural wood cabinets are also having a moment. This trend is of a piece with the desire for adding warmth to kitchens, as well as a return to natural materials, as we’ll see next. “In addition to the use of color, we are seeing more natural elements take shape in the kitchen,” says designer Kirby Foster Hurd of Kirby Home Designs. “Various types of wood species are being added to the initial kitchen cabinet design as a way to add warmth with light- to medium-stain tones.”
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We continue our list in next week’s newsletter
July 18, 2024
Bathroom Trends Making A Splash
Bathroom design is going well beyond strictly utility and function. From simple and contemporary designs to chic and luxurious fixtures, these trends are all about creating a relaxing, personal retreat.
Merging the Indoors with the Outdoors:
Blurring the lines between inside and out can create the ultimate sanctuary. Whether bringing the outside in via windows, greenery or a breeze; placing one or more components fully outdoors, such as a tub, shower or sitting area; or something in between, embracing nature within the bathroom is high on many lists.
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Harmonious Patterns and Textures:
Tiles, timber and natural materials are back. The focus is on bringing in texture and merging different patterns and materials to bring the space to life. Creative use of oversized tiles and mixing patterns — which has been made easier with today’s advanced technology — can result in stunning spaces that can be both exhilarating and serene.
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Blending Colors:
The past several years has focused on cooler gray colors, but warm shades are making a comeback. Mixing cool colors like blue with the warm tones of complementary materials such as wood or bamboo is another trick to create harmony. Contrasting dark with light and going from shades of white to the contrast of black is also expected to catch on this year.Free-Standing Tubs: Free-standing tubs have been in the spotlight for the past few years, and their use continues to gain popularity. Not only are they comfortable, but they are also eye-catching and can serve as a great focal point for any bathroom space, giving it a lavish and sleek look.
Free-Standing Tubs:
Free-standing tubs have been in the spotlight for the past few years, and their use continues to gain popularity. Not only are they comfortable, but they are also eye-catching and can serve as a great focal point for any bathroom space, giving it a lavish and sleek look.
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All-in-One Shower and Bath:
Reinventing the bathing space to include a tub and a shower separated by a glass partition can give the room a stylish, modern vibe and cater to different tastes. Likewise, separating the toilet and sink(s) away from the moisture can reduce cleaning time and allow multiple users to occupy the space if needed.
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Dual Showerheads:
Creating a shower with two or more showerheads can further enhance the bathroom-to-spa transformation. Multiple showerheads can also be a low-cost upgrade to increased relaxation.
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Futuristic Technology:
From touchless and self-cleaning toilets to leak detectors, floor heating systems to interactive LED mirrors, and faucets to showers that can control the water flow and temperature, the whole bathroom is turning smart. These features provide users the comfort they seek along with a top-notch luxury experience
July 11, 2024
What Home Design Trends Will Have Staying Power
For remodelers looking to elevate their businesses in the new year, staying on top of the latest housing trends is a must. In this installment of NAHB’s Remodeling Forecasts, Myths & Trends video series, sponsored by Lowe’s Pro, Pro Remodeler’s managing editor Caroline Broderick digs into which home design trends will have staying power beyond 2024.
Having a better understanding of home design and consumer demand, and how they might impact a remodeler’s bottom line is crucial to the long-term success of their business in the current market. For example, Broderick discusses a key factor impacting today’s home design trends: the economic environment. More homeowners are opting not to sell their properties because of increasing mortgage rates. As a result, they’re looking to customize their living spaces to better suit their needs.
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Bold personalization: With resale value no longer a major concern, many homeowners want to make their homes uniquely personal. Long gone are the days of the stark white and gray color palette throughout the home. Colors are now shifting to warmer tones and textures, such as shades of blue and green and wood grain.
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Nostalgic notes: Mixing and matching design styles to better integrate homeowners’ treasured keepsakes into a redesign is becoming more popular. There’s also a shift away from modern design elements (think: clean lines) to incorporating more traditional features such as curved archways.
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Organic design: Bringing the outdoors inside is another way homeowners are using remodeling to personalize their living spaces. This can be done by using woven materials such as cane and rattan throughout the home or by installing skylights allowing for more natural sunlight to flow through common areas.
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July 5, 2024
Better, Not Bigger, Homes Among Top Design Trends for 2024
Following a brief uptick in new home sizes in 2021, the average size of a new home continues to inch smaller — dropping from 2,479 square feet in 2022 to 2,411 square feet in 2023, the smallest average size in 13 years — to match home buyer preferences for less square footage. According to NAHB’s latest What Home Buyers Really Want study, home buyers are looking for homes around 2,070 square feet, compared to 2,260 20 years ago.
“It’s related to two factors that are linked,” said Rose Quint, NAHB assistant vice president of survey research. “First, we’ve seen changes in home buyer preferences. Second, housing affordability has worsened in recent years.”
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Builders are acting on this trend, with 38% indicating they built smaller homes in 2023 to help support home sales and 26% indicating they plan to build even smaller in 2024. They are also working to bridge the gap on housing affordability by cutting home prices, providing sales incentives and offering more affordable finishes. Median new homes prices dropped to $427,400 in 2023 — down 7 percentage points from 2022, a drop not seen since 2009 — while existing home prices continued to rise to $394,600, marking a 1 percentage point increase over the prior year.
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Home buyers are not only shifting their preferences on size; they’re shifting their overall design preferences as well, placing higher value on personalization and authenticity.
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“Our home owners are looking to personalize their homes,” said Donald Ruthroff, AIA, founding principal at Design Story Spaces LLC. “They want to it feel like it was made just for them and be significantly different than their neighbors’ homes.”
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This is reflected in the style of the home and the upgrades that buyers choose to incorporate into their homes, whether it’s creating an island that looks like a piece of furniture, higher quality cabinets or more expensive flooring.
Home features that remain at the top of buyers’ wish list include four outdoor features, two kitchen features and two related to energy efficiency:
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Laundry room
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Patio
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Energy Star window
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Exterior lighting
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Ceiling fan
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Garage storage
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Front porch
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Hardwood flooring
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Full bath on the main level
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Energy Star appliances
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Walk-in pantry
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Landscaping
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Table space in the kitchen
Technology features are becoming increasingly popular, most notably security cameras, wired home security systems, programmable thermostats, video doorbells, multizone HVAC systems and energy management systems.
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Other home features that have seen strong growth in popularity over the past 10 years include:
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Quartz or engineered stone for kitchen countertops
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Lighting control systems
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Outdoor fireplaces
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Outdoor kitchens
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Built-in kitchen seating
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Exposed beams
Additional information on home buyer trends can be found in NAHB’s What Home Buyers Really Want (2024 edition),
available at builderbooks.com. Courtesy of NAHB.