Looking to buy a new luxury home this spring? Or looking to sell one of the ones you already own? It’s that time of year – home-buying season! As you set out on a house hunt – or prepare your palace for your broker’s first open house – what are the trends in luxury home design and décor that are totally on-point and worth paying more for? Or conversely, if you’re looking for a quick sale, what should you do to ensure that your property is au courant?
We’ve pored through the shelter and style magazines, and here are the top twelve trends for spring 2018 at the highest end of the residential real estate market. They’re manifestations of the continued focus among luxury consumers on self-care, technology, bringing the natural world indoors, and security. And it’s official: the Gucci-fication of the world has spread to the home décor arena. More is the new less.
1. Maximalist décor. More pieces, more color, more mixing of patterns and elements – basically, more everything. Layering different rugs, having patterned rugs and wallpaper in the same space, mixed media finishes that combine shine and matte, or nickel and brass. Antique bronze gets paired with natural stone and rare exotic wood. Bold wallpaper is back, with jewel-toned colors and over-sized patterns. Paint colors are vivid and color-saturated: Pantone’s Color of the Year is Ultra Violet – a strong and deep purple – and Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year is a hot red hue called Caliente. Florals and botanicals are back, but in over-sized and abstract patterns, not the demure chintz of yesteryear. The goal is a look that’s “decadent and dynamic,” according to one style specialist.
2. Au natural. Country estates frequently have greenhouses and lavish gardens; chic penthouses almost always feature wrap-around terraces that can accommodate a fanciful private urban green space. But how best to bring the natural world indoors in of-the-moment luxury style? Traditionally, nature-inspired color schemes and botanical prints have been the answer for both town and country homes, accompanied by potted plants and plenty of fresh-cut flowers. The new twist? Incorporating live plants in a big way – even creating an entire plant-covered wall, also known as a “vertical garden” or a “living wall.” It’s a way to bring energy and life into a contemporary space. Offices and commercial spaces have been doing it for years. Now, the trend is coming home. The indoor forest might be constructed as a sub-irrigated living wall – essentially a self-watering planter with a built-in reservoir. Or even a closet that becomes a grow garden for edible plants. Rocks and stones are also coming inside, and if you’re not ready for the real thing, decorators suggest painting a wall to replicate the look of a forest.
3. Green homes. Some luxurious green residential technology systems, like solar panels and an electric charging station in the garage, are not really new. The next wave is geothermal hot water heating systems; reclaimed rain water systems used to flush toilets and wash dishes; and eco-friendly toilets, like the TOTO Neorest AC ($12,000), that minimize the water used per flush and are sufficiently hygienic to stay cleaner longer, reducing the use of household cleaning products. There are also new services, like Take Good Care, that help homeowners switch almost everything in a home’s interior to nontoxic materials, from cleansers to furniture. They’ll also install Molekule air purifiers ($800), which help reduce indoor pollution and are particularly helpful to people with allergies.
4. Bathrooms with a view. Lavish bathrooms are nothing new, and in the past the focus has been on large soaking tubs and rainfall showers. Now? It’s all about having an airy space filled with natural light and providing a glorious view. Gone are wooden bathroom furniture pieces – in their place are smooth glass surfaces, metal, and large windows that reflect light. Not only does this design concept provide the illusion of a brighter and more open space, it also facilitates relaxation. And if you’re feeling modest, opt for a glass-encased bathroom fitted with Innovative Glass – it has smart walls that frost to opaque at the flip of a switch.
5. Chic smart home systems. Convenience is the ultimate luxury, and many home automation systems offer entertainment, security, lighting and window shade controls, temperature adjustments and more. For the highest-end homes, though, it’s not just about function – it’s also about form. Savant is an example of an integrated smart home system that is meant to be both intelligent and also “smart” – so there’s no need to sacrifice taste for convenience.
6. Health and wellness. A personal gym is de rigueur in a luxury home. The new Thing is a holistic focus on health and wellness at home: amenities like an in-home sauna, steam room and ice room. Or a saltwater pool. Or a yoga studio.
7. Wine rooms. Wine cellars remain one of the most sought-after luxury amenities. They’ve now gone “smart,” outfitted with top-of-the-line security, temperature and humidity-controls. Other features include custom lighting, glass displays, motorized racks and even entire separate rooms solely for the purpose of tasting and enjoying vintage gems.
8. Double the kitchen. Kitchens keep getting bigger: luxury buyers now want two refrigerators, two dishwashers, and two freezers to accommodate large gatherings. Also in demand?Professional kitchen amenities like a built-in espresso maker, a La Cornue rotisserie (from $12,000), a smart oven like Dacor’s Pro Duel-Fuel Steam Range ($15,495), and a flat screen television that’s hidden from view.
9. Closets. Spacious his-and-hers walk-in closets are a must. But beyond that, the of-the-moment closet has new amenities like an area for changing out essentials when switching handbags. Called a purse changing station, there are containers to hold pens, paper and electronics for the woman on the go who totes a different bag every day (or even every couple of hours). The other big trend? Staging areas and lighting optimized for social media posts. A closet design specialist notes: “Staging areas need to not only function well for creating looks, but also must be beautifully designed to showcase new looks and share them across social channels.”
10. Fun and games. Pools and tennis courts are obvious amenities on any luxury estate. As are man-caves and pool tables. But the new Things are highly specific to the habits and hobbies of the owners. Think an estate with a private shooting range in locations where hunting and target practice are popular. Or a private amusement park (think Neverland). Highly specific sports and fitness-related amenities: indoor basketball courts, boxing rings, personal ice hockey rinks, miniature baseball diamonds, and putting greens. Tech executives increasingly demand a soundproof gaming room with three or more gaming units with screens and chairs, a sofa and other tech toys.
11. Elevators. More and more stand-alone residences have working elevators. Once considered a potential mechanical headache – prone to malfunction and possibly very noisy – as Baby Boomers have aged and are thinking about the next chapter of their lives, being able to stay in their homes when climbing stairs becomes a challenge has become top-of-mind. Who wants to live in a ranch house when one can install a private elevator instead? Home elevators also come in handy when moving large and heavy objects between floors – perfect for creative types who may have art and sculpture on rotation throughout their homes, or an in-home studio.
12. Crystals. Before moving in, more and more buyers are installing crystals around the perimeter of their homes, or embedding them in the flooring or under the floor in key rooms. There are specialized interior design companies, like The Cristalline and Energy Muse, who can assess a space and design solutions to optimize the flow of positive energy through the use of rose quartz, citrines and other stones. Some homeowners also place them under the mattresses in all of the bedrooms in the house. Thought to convey both good luck and protection, having the right crystals surrounding you seems to be the new ultimate in home security.
There you have it: a dozen trends that should point the way toward home sweet home – or a successful sale. Good luck out there!
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