Home trends for 2020
Photos Pat McCarthy Renovations
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rom kitchen cabinet hardware and bathroom fixtures to light fixtures and paint colours, here’s a peek at the home design trends you’ll see in 2020.
OPEN-CONCEPT LIVING ROOMS
ULTRA-FUNCTIONAL KITCHENS
“Open-concept is definitely staying,” confirms Jessesar Mitchell with Gerald Mitchell Contracting in Fall River, which is now also building on lots in Oakfield and Middle Sackville. “It’s just getting more open and more grand — the bigger, the better.” Because these living rooms are often flowing into the dining room and the kitchen, she says many homeowners are choosing laminate flooring for a budget-friendly way to keep the flooring consistent throughout a large area.
WHITE AND BRIGHT All-white kitchens aren’t going anywhere yet, thanks to their crisp-and-clean feel. Mitchell says many of their homeowners are opting for white counters, white cabinets and white backsplashes with white (or off-white) walls and natural-looking wood flooring. “Sometimes people are worried it will look too stark, but once they fill it up with all of their stuff and their accent pieces, it looks so sharp,” says Mitchell.
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THE REAL HOME SHOW • 2020
BUTLER’S PANTRIES Custom pantries are still going strong and Mitchell says many homeowners are upgrading to a butler’s pantry that includes outlets, small appliances, a sink and hard-surface countertops. STORAGE WALLS No room to add a walk-in pantry but your kitchen never feels like it has enough storage space? Consider creating a storage wall with floor-to-ceiling cabinets. You’ll have enough room to store all the dishes and canned goods you could ever want and it will be functional to have it all in one spot. Plus, open shelving is on the way out — people realized it was too difficult to keep tidy!
Canadian Home Builders’ Association Nova Scotia
COLOURFUL APPLIANCES If this is the year your fridge or stove needs to be replaced (we’re not jinxing you, we promise), then you might want to think about buying the new set in an interesting colour. Top brands are offering major appliances in shades like champagne, dark grey, brown and black stainless steel. GE Appliances’ Café™ luxury range includes matte finishes (white and black) and customizable hardware in brushed stainless, brushed bronze, brushed copper and brushed black. DOUBLE-DUTY BACKSPLASHES Installing a new backsplash? The latest trend is making the top of the backsplash end in a shelf. How handy!
