According to a study conducted by Harvard University, over 90% of the growth in remodeling has taken place in homes priced $400,000 or higher. It appears that trends in these homes slowly trickle down into the middle market after a few years. If you want to know what the up and coming trends are, visit an open house in the $400,000 range.

If you are thinking about selling your home, but want to make a few updates, here is a list of things to think about. Baby Boomers are the largest generation of homeowners and that will only continue to grow. Use features in your home that will accommodate both Baby Boomers and GenXers.

You want your home to be accessible, but it doesn’t have to be as old as it sounds. Accessible can simply mean wider hallways and doorways. Who is going to complain about wider entryways when it comes time to move that king size bed?

As you begin your remodel or addition, think durability. Often times a cheaper material will show wear and tear quicker, so when it comes time to list your house for sale, the buyers make requests for repairs. This can be avoided if you choose your materials carefully. Don’t necessarily go for cheap, purchase a product that will last and stand the test of time.

A big trend right now is custom work in personal statements. Many people don’t want a kitchen or a bathroom that looks like every one else’s room. While this might showcase nicely in your home now, a year or two down the road it may not be as classy as it once was. These custom trends also tend to date your home quickly as news fads appear. Plus, what you may think is a beautiful custom tile design in your bathroom may not appeal to a buyer.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but avoid structural changes that can permanently devalue your home. Changes such as removing a bathtub in a bathroom or removing a bedroom are risky moves and may not be worth the investment loss.

If remodeling a kitchen, be sure the style of your kitchen matches the style of your home. If you live in a cottage-style home, be sure your kitchen compliments that style. Likewise, be cautious of how sharp a contrast your remodel is compared to the rest of your home. You don’t want an ultra modern and sleek kitchen if your house reflects a traditional ranch-style home.

The trend right now for kitchens appears to be color in appliances. Don’t go overboard with this one, a potential buyer may not love the fire-red enameled stove that you paid way too much for. As for countertops, there is a slow shift towards ease of maintenance versus fancy high end countertops. Many granite or natural stone countertops can be easily stained by cooking oils or common cleaners. If you are going to invest in your home, the kitchen is where it should be done. Studies have shown there is a higher return on making minor upgrades to a kitchen rather than overhauling the entire room.

Many homeowners are looking for bathrooms that offer more of a spa-like experience. An easy and more affordable upgrade would be to install multiple showerheads. Of course, double sinks, whirlpool or spa-like tubs are a must for these high-end bathrooms. Bathrooms have come a long way in flooring options, ranging from custom tile, to wood, to bamboo, to heated floors, so be tasteful in your selection.

Open floor plans are still a hot trend and will continue to be, for the obvious reasons. It helps make a smaller home feel as though it has more space. Since many of today’s families social activities are centered around the kitchen, an open floorplan helps to offer more room in the kitchen, while not feeling cut off from the rest of the house.

Bonus rooms are another feature to think about during your remodel. A bonus room doesn’t necessarily have to be a large room over the garage. It could also be a mudroom or larger laundry room. Homeowners are looking for a space for their workshops or hobbies and storage.

Of course a remodel blog wouldn’t be complete without a discussion about technology. As technology progress in its field, many homeowners are taking advantage of wireless networks for their homes. Building an electronic closet for all of the home’s entertainment gear and gaming systems helps to minimize clutter. Sensors can be built into the wall above the TV to transmit signals. Another great technological gadget is outdoor speakers or even installing speakers through the home. This could come in handy when hosting a party. You could have nice background music playing both inside and outside of your home.

So when considering a remodel or upgrading a room in your home, be mindful of these quick tips to really get the most for your investment.

Information was taken from www.jennpenn.com/links/remodeling_trends.pdf