By Luke Hancock from Bin There Dump That (Guest Post)

Are you looking to start a home remodel and give your home that much-needed upgrade you’ve been dreaming about?

While many people often look to the new year as a time to start off a home improvement project, home remodeling this year is set to usher in a new set of changes beyond what most people expect each year. Homeowners are predicted to start looking for things like balance and focus in their lives, which will impact how they remodel and improve their homes this year.

This of course can lead to some big changes in the way that people view their remodel. The following tips will help you make the most of your space for the new year and the new decade to come.

Reimagine the Space

One of the latest trends emerging in home remodeling is the concept of a multi-functional space. Open floor plans have been on trend for a long time, but more recently people have begun to use them differently than before. Previously, the walls were down but people still divided the space up into their living room, dining room, and kitchen. Now the space is becoming more fluid so that it can be used in different ways at different times.

This is a positive move forward in regards to the open floor plan, so make sure that you pay close attention to what you need the space to be going forward. An open floor plan can include spaces for work, study, and play as well as entertaining, relaxing, and eating. So, consider how you will make use of the space before you start incorporating trends like work cubbies or double kitchen islands so that the space works for you and not merely a theory.

Go for the Jewelbox

For the last year, there’s been a move away from high-end custom homes, partially because  bespoke items like soft close drawers and custom millwork are becoming more commonplace; you can now have your cake and eat it when it comes to luxury items.

In the wake of this move away from fully custom homes, the idea of a jewelbox home has emerged. This is a home that’s smaller than the previous McMansions, but that’s designed to really meet your tastes and needs. Instead of having bespoke items just to have a custom home, now people are really saying, ‘What do I need in a home?’, and then making that happen.

This is beneficial in a lot of ways. These homes are not only more comfortable to live in, they also have high resale value, as they tend to be very livable for everyone. So, when remodeling, start looking less at what looks great and embrace the little details.

Consider Minimalism and Sustainability

Two of the other big trends emerging for this year are a significant focus on minimalism and sustainability in the home. Remember that balance is what people are striving for here, and by focusing on minimalism during your home remodel, you’re more likely to be satisfied with the outcome.

Sustainability ties into this as well; by choosing materials that will improve your energy usage and the “health” of your home, you’re going to be more comfortable in the space. You’ll also be more likely to save money in the long term, and your home will be more suited to living in it – all big keys to the ideal home of the next decade.

Things to look for in remodels include extra insulation, reclaimed materials such as old growth hardwoods, and newer materials that give off fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as paint and formaldehyde free plywood.

The idea is that your new home will benefit you in every way imaginable – not just from a visual standpoint or a basic functional one, but from a health, comfort, and savings standpoint as well. 

Design a Balanced Home

There are many ways to create the ideal home this year. But not every way is going to work for you.

Examine what it is you want to get from your home remodel, and you’ll be sure to have finished results that are more likely to sustain you through the next decade – more than any flash in the pan trend could ever hope to do.