Top Home Design Trends for 2013

The past year has been an exciting one for home design, but now that we’ve ushered in a new year it’s time to take a look at the most popular trends for this year.  Home design trends for 2013 are building on many of those established in 2012, like open floor plans and energy-efficient design, with an overall attitude shifting toward easy, simple living with low-maintenance materials and streamlined design.  Take a look at which home design trends reign supreme:

Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor living spaces continue to be popular in 2013, with seamless transitions from interior to exterior spaces.  Outdoor spaces feature everything from cozy seating, entertainment systems, fireplaces or fire pits, to full outdoor gourmet kitchens.  Why not extend the summer  for as long as you can and implement a few of these luxuries into your backyard space?

Outdoor Living Spaces

Finished Basements and Attic Spaces

Developing an unfinished basement or attic is fast becoming a smart and sensible remodeling project. Renovating and finishing undeveloped space that already exists in your home, instantly increases your home’s square footage and its overall value! When craving that extra space it makes good sense to finish these undeveloped rooms rather than adding onto the home. Basements and attics are ideal spaces for creating media rooms, offices, studios, or that much needed extra bedroom.

Finished Attic

Open Floor Plans

The open floor plan is a trend that is here to stay. It has been increasingly popular over that past few years and will continue well on into 2013 and beyond.  Open spaces floods natural light throughout your home, facilitates conversation between rooms. allows for greater flexibility in the use of adjacent spaces and makes your home feel that much larger. If you don’t currently have an open floor plan, consider removing a wall or two to improve the flow.  You’ll be glad you did!

Open Floor Plan

Energy Efficiency and Improved Air Quality

Energy efficient home building continues to grow in popularity, allowing home owners to live more comfortably and save money.  Consider replacing old windows, furnaces, and water heaters with new energy efficient models and incorporating automated systems to continue improving the efficiency of your home.  New HVAC and solar heating technology can also improve the efficiency and comfort of your home.

Energy Efficient Design

Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Granite has been dethroned by quartz in 2013.  The countless color options, its high durability, and low-maintenance makes quartz surfaces highly appealing to homeowners.  The colors and finish options are endless and are ideal countertop solutions for any kitchen or bath design style.

Quartz Kitchen Countertop

Bathroom Remodels

Bathroom remodeling was huge last year and is fast becoming as popular as kitchen renovations.  We are seeing a distinctive touch of luxury returning to master baths. This is becoming the most coveted space – a retreat to escape to at the end of a hectic day.   Free standing tubs, walk-in showers with frameless glass, and European style wet baths are trending this year.

Hardwood Flooring

The timeless natural hardwood floor returns to popularity in 2013, trending this year are the lighter shades and stains.  The salvaged look is also hot, with hand-scraped wide planks.

 Hardwood Flooring

Which home design trend are you most excited about seeing in 2013? Stay Inspired!  
Photo Credits:
1.) Houzz
2.)  Southern Accents
3.) Houzz
4.) GreenPlanetBuilding.com
5.) Caesarstone.com
6.) House Beautiful
7.) Houzz