top 3 design ideas

Want to stay on top of the latest remodeling trends? Check back with us each season when we feature three of the hottest new design ideas in architectural and interior design.

kitchen & bath:  shower power

1. The spa trend continues to gain momentum with personalization as paramount. Indulging oneself at home with a custom luxury shower system might feature one of the new flexible water systems, including multi-directional body sprays, built-in music, even mood lighting. And, more and more green products are emerging with showerheads that deliver a full-force experience and soaking tubs that offer full immersion while using significantly less water.

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2. This year, basement remodel projects jumped 10% proving that it is more economical to finish a lower level than move to a bigger house or build an addition. The valuable square footage gained, costing an average of $40 to $60 per square foot, brings usable, new space to a home. The freshest design ideas include creating a cozy, easy-to-darken home theater experience, or keeping the space open, flexible and multi-functional, delineating areas with furniture groupings and coffered ceilings. Using innovative and attractive wall and flooring treatments will make it feel far nicer than your parents' finished basement, and because it is separate from the flow of the rest of the home, it is a great opportunity to try an adventurous color scheme.

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exterior effects:  maintenance-free trim

3. If you want authentic-looking detail on your home's exterior, you no longer need to burden yourself with the continuous upkeep of wood. The latest exterior building products offer beauty, workability, durability and uniformity yet are maintenance-free. Made of a cellular pvc product that does not contain any wood filler, these trims and mouldings replicate traditional moulding sizes and standards. They have the look and feel of lumber without any of the maintenance issues associated with wood, resisting stains and scratches, moisture and insects. This product can be milled, routed, turned on a lathe, and heat-formed. Check out www.azek.com for product offerings including mouldings, beadboard, cornerboard, wainscoting, porch ceilings, soffits and decking.

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