2018 has been quite an unpredictable year so far for remodeling and building industry, and the unpredictably has swept in everything from painting, and additions to material selection for flooring and ceiling. From materials to tones, the home interior trends have seen a significant transformation from the past years.

The power of technology and social media has quickened the adoption of latest trends among homeowners. If you are planning a home remodeling, you need to be aware of the latest residential trends that are happening around you. Whether you are replacing the floor of one room or are repainting and overhauling the complete house, it is important to follow the latest trends to ensure that your home is ready for the coming years and trends.

As the spring and summer are the seasons for home remodeling and home improvement, ProModeling Inc. has curated a list of effective tips to remodel your home in 2018.

1-    Terracotta

The Terracotta tiles are back with a bang but with an unusual twist. Unlike the previous years when these were used as borders or for the raw finish touch in garage, the terracotta tiles are now used in feature walls around the room, bathroom or exterior.

The warm color of the terracotta is used to accentuate the room and renders a unique and rustic character to space. Along with the terracotta tiles, the earthly tones are becoming preferred paint colors and textures for various spaces including bedroom walls, pillars, and even for cabinetry. Earthly shades of terracotta and ochre are making rounds among homeowners, and it seems like that these will dominate the upcoming home remodeling trends as well.

2-    Cork

Cork has made a comeback in 2018. With its aesthetically pleasing appearance in the feature walls or as a base material in the floor, cork controls the noise level in the open style homes. Also, the trend of sustainable and green material has taken over and the cork is the perfect example of reusable green material.

Cork’s natural tone and wooden texture make it a perfect fit for these seasons’ stylish and modernistic living. Cork flooring is also becoming a design element in the homes because of its classic appearance. Apart from this, if you are looking for floor replacements in a budget, cork is a cost-effective flooring material.

So, in the homes, cork is becoming a popular material to cover the walls or to design modernistic floors.

3-    Dark Green

In 2018, the one of the most talked about trend is sustainability and environmental rating. So, the trend of green homes has reached to all of the spaces in homes. The tones of dark green are becoming must-to-have in the home when you hire the remodeling experts.

Coupled with brass and natural materials and as an accent in the room and furniture, the dark green enhances the greenness of homes in the literal sense. The dark green color in the walls and spaces is quickly replacing the dark blue or navy of the previous years.

4-     The Silent Corner

Overwhelmed by the technological buzz, the experts are reinventing spaces with a calm hush. The homes with escape nooks and corners are becoming popular where you can have a sense of relief from the sensory overload caused by excessive screen exposure.

The corners away from the screens and bathed in sunlight are becoming the focus of designer’s artistry. So, if you have a left out or negligent space in your home which is still screen-free, it is time to make it alive with remodeling or you can undertake additions in the home.

5-    Play with Textures

While the textures have become outdated in the kitchen, they have made a place in overall home including room, bathroom and lounge. From the upholstery to the walls and other surfaces, the textures are the newest trend in home remodeling.

Whether you want textured tiles with a matt finish, a textured cushion for your sofa or textured wall, it is time to get creative and play with textures.

7-    Replicating Nature in Floors

Wood remains the top flooring material in 2018. If you are tired of your floors and are thinking to replace them, hard floor materials are the newest trend.

Be it wood or natural stones, the designers and homeowners are trying to replicate the natural textures and colors in the material, giving it a distinct natural character. However, the simple one-color floors have become outdated and are increasingly replaced by variety.

So, a patterned floor or a simple floor complemented by rich carpet can help you upgrade your home according to the hottest trends.

8-   Homeowners Insurance

An overview of home insurance, finding the right type and level of coverage to safeguard your home and belongings against the unexpected or home renovation.

More Info: Consumers Advocate: Home Insurance

Kitchens are one of the most used spaces in a home. From preparing meals and eating to evening study, the kitchen is a multifunctional space buzzing with activity almost all day.

A few decades back, the kitchen was the hidden corner of the house and was planned only with functionality in mind. But, things have changed in these years and creativity, style and luxury have become as much a part of kitchen design as any other part of the house if not more.

Therefore, kitchen remodeling has become an investment that not only pays off regarding the improved quality of life and comfort, but it also adds value to your property. Even if you plan to sell your home in few years, you will find buyers who are interested in modern kitchen design and layout.

That being said, it is important to have your kitchen remodeled for the future. If you are planning to remodel your kitchen in 2018, you must keep an eye on the latest trends that dominate 2018 and beyond.

For the convenience of homeowners, we have a compiled a list of latest trends in kitchen designs to choose the right style, material, and layout for your kitchen.

1-    Choose Matt Black Finishes  

We all know the pristine white kitchens in the past where everything from the tiles to the appliances was covered in white and glossy surfaces.

Guess what? It is now rapidly replaced. While dark colors are getting in style again, black is taking over the kitchen world. You will see a flux of matte-black hardware and appliances in the market. Be it kitchen faucet, tiles or a refrigerator; you will find various black options in designs and models.

Black is also sweeping in the cabinetry and countertops as it is a color that works with almost all other colors and materials. In some of the kitchens, black backsplashes are also witnessed.

2-    Make Your Kitchen Green and Environmental-Friendly

We have heard about kitchen gardens where the people grow their vegetables and fruits in their garden for self-consumption. But, this greening trend is not limited only to the outside of the kitchen. Green is making rounds in kitchen designing with designers choosing a darker shade of greens in the cabinetry, faucets or other hardware.

The green is also becoming a popular color in backsplashes combined with light colored cabinets.

Another of the greening trend is to decorate live plants in the kitchen. You can buy indoor plants that you can hang with the ceiling or can display at the open shelves.

3-    Concrete as A Complete Remodeling Material

We all are aware of the popularity of concrete as the flooring material in the kitchen. Concrete is highly customizable, flexible and durable which makes it an evergreen material for all kinds of projects including the kitchen. Along with this, concrete is an affordable material.

But in 2018, the usability of concrete is not limited to the floors only. With its endless possibilities in design and texture, concrete is also used in stylish countertops, walls and cabinets. Seamless concrete countertops in different designs and textures have become the trend that is going to last for coming years.

If you are planning a kitchen remodeling on the budget, then opting for concrete is the most cost-effective option. However, make sure that you use light textures and light-colored paints with the concrete. Otherwise, it may give an appearance of the prison.

4-    Choose Simple Designing With Less Details

Even though the oak trend and communal dining table of the 1980s and 1990s are back, there is a difference in those styles and the latest trends.

The kitchens are becoming simple and elegant with little details as compared to in the past. In the 1980s, wood was heavily carved and patterned, but now, the cabinets and shelves are plain with minimum details. The smooth, clean and flat surfaces are preferred over overly ornamented surfaces.

The dining table or eating area is kept simple with no unwanted details to crowd the view. Even the pillows and cushions are vanishing from the kitchen seating or are completely simple.

5-    Building a Hidden Kitchen Hood

Kitchen hoods were often dealt as the focal point of the space in the past. The hoods are adorned, with a distinct finishing that makes it stand out from the other elements of the space.

But, guess what? If you are remodeling in 2018, you do not need to worry about it. The latest trend calls for subtle and expertly hidden hoods that are there to perform their work but are not exposed for view. In the latest kitchen trends, hoods are blended with the rest of wall finishes creating a seamless experience for the eye.

So, whether you are installing tiles or working on paints, you will need to choose the same color and texture for the hood.

6-    Make Built-in Sink 

Sinks are an essential part of the kitchen and receive significant creative attention in almost all kitchen styles. Made up of different materials such as stainless steel, marble or ceramic tiles, sinks are often superimposed on the countertops.

But, the trend has changed now. The latest trend calls for the built-in sink which forms a seamless design with the countertops. Sinks are also built with the same material as that of countertop which creates a smooth surface without any visual breaks. Complemented with stylish and long faucets, these built-in sink gives a simple and uncluttered appearance to your kitchen.

7-    Open Shelves

Open shelves are also making their way to the kitchen trends in 2018. The open shelves have appeared on various home improvement magazines for their classy look but tough maintenance. Open shelves are a perfect place to show off your crockery, display decoration items, and store important things.

But, these shelves are messy to maintain as these require regular cleaning and organization to avoid a sense of clutter and dirt. These open shelves can also be used to show greenery and place your plants, and they also make space look more spacious and open.

When you are remodeling your kitchen, make sure that you design enough space for the storage. Make separate compartments for groceries to help you organize.

8-    Kitchen Lighting

Lastly, kitchen lighting is as much important in designing and planning kitchen as other aspects. Along with ample ambient lighting, the pendant lights or accent lights are trending. The pendant lights hanging on the countertops and above the dining area can enhance the character of the space, giving it a creative and unique depth.

So, when you are remodeling your kitchen, take time and budget to decide the most suitable lighting.  

April is the season of many joys.

From the sunshine, spring and beach days to tax refunds, many good things are in-store for everyone. As the tax refunds roll in, people start planning what to do with their refund money. While many choose to use it on a new phone, tablet or a vacation, some of the prudent homeowners are waiting for it to get their home remodeling game up.

According to Federal Bureau of Revenue, an average tax return in the year 2017 was $2782. Even though tax refunds are hardly sizeable enough to fund large-scale home improvements or major remodeling projects, these can be sufficient to get started by paying down payment for home remodeling loan or by undertaking the relatively cheaper repairs and remodels.

Spending your tax refund money on the home improvements can put it to good use as it can enhance your comfort, convenience, and quality of life. So, if you want to use your tax refund money for investment, here are eight ways to invest in home remodeling to secure good return.

Tax Return Under $the 500

If your tax return is on the lower side of the average, you should not despair. There are still a lot of home repairs and improvements from deep cleaning and sealing of floor tiles to installing new showers that you can get done.

1-    Install Kitchen Backsplashes

A complete kitchen renovation takes time and money which is not possible for the tax refund. But, it doesn’t mean that there is nothing you can do with your kitchen.

A tiled backsplash can completely transform your kitchen space and cost you only a small fraction of the overall kitchen overhaul. The ceramic tiles start at $2 per square foot while the metal and glass tiles are expensive costing around $7 to $20.

2-    Install New Fixtures

Another way to enhance the space without spending a lot of money is by installing new fixtures such as shower, faucets, or changes knobs of the cabinet. The fixtures are small and appear to be unnoticeable, but it is not true. Changing or upgrading fixtures can impact the look and appearance of whole space.

Therefore, if you are bored with your cabinets knobs or your shower is clogged, it is time to change it for good.

3-    Cleaning HVAC System

The heating and cooling system takes the bait of the weather throughout the year. Whether it is cooling of the heat or warming up the cold, the continuous usage, as well as exposure to the external conditions, make it home for dirt, garbage, and bacteria. The dirty or bacteria-laden HVAC systems can affect the quality of air.

As cleaning of air ducts and HVAC unit costs around $300-$500, it can be a good use of your tax refund money.

Tax Return Under $3500

When your tax refund is lower than the national average but is not in the lowest bracket, the options for remodeling projects widen up. Even though the amount is not sufficient for large projects, it can still fulfill many of the functional and aesthetical repairs.

4-    Repaint Interior Rooms

Everyone wants a trendy home, but most of the times, the budget restrictions do not let it happen. But, if you want to upgrade your home both aesthetically and functionally, you should invest your tax refund in interior painting.

If you plan to paint the rooms yourself, you can save the labor cost as well. Check the latest trends and home fashions to select paint colors and finishes for the bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and lounge. It will not only change the characteristics of the space but will also fix any cracks or chip-offs.

5-    Install New Bathroom Floor 

With high traffic and high moisture, bathroom floors tend to get dirty and broken quickly. The moisture content in the air can cause a slimy layer on the floor and causes sparkling and shine to go away. The humidity can also cause tiles to break, corners to chip off, or grout to wear off.

The $3500 tax refund can help you get a new bathroom tiled floor. Costing an average of $800-$2000, you can choose the right floor material according to your needs.

6-    Cabinets and Countertops

The cabinets and countertops are extensively used things in a kitchen and bathroom. With the passage of time, these countertops and cabinets can lose their glory and may need repair or replacement.

If your countertop is broken and has cracks or if your cabinets are shown sign of aging, you can get them replaced in $3500 budget. Bathroom cabinets cost around $800-$1500 on average.

Tax Return Under $4500

If you fall into the category of national average, you can use refund money in multiple small-sized remodeling projects or one large project. It may still not be enough for big things like installing a new roof or eco-friendly renovation, but it can cover expenses for installation of new ceiling, exterior paint, or installing new kitchen countertops.

7-    Install New Ceiling

If you are bored of looking at blank white ceilings in the room or if your old ceilings are falling apart, the tax money is just in time to get you new ceilings. The average cost of installation of the new ceiling is around $4200. From popcorn ceiling to drywall ceiling, you can get a custom-designed ceiling installed in your home.

However, if you are looking for vaulted ceiling or wooden ceiling, the cost may exceed your budget.

8-    Install New Kitchen Countertop

A concrete or laminate kitchen countertop is well within your budget if your tax refund is around $4500 or above.

So, if your countertop has lost its glory under the moisture and scratches, you can utilize the tax money for countertop replacement.

Conclusion

The tax refund is a reward for your honest and hard-earned money, and this is why it must be invested in the most effective way. Spending tax refund on home improvement can be a great way to improve the quality of life as well as enhance the value of your property.

With the snow gone and spring in the air, it is time to work on the home repair and maintenance projects that you have postponed in the Winters.

Summers are a perfect season and reason to transform your home into your desired space. A home remodeling is everything from being messy, costly, to extremely satisfying if it goes as planned. Whether you want small touch ups of the paint or you want a completely remodeled home, it must be according to the requirements and must enhance your home’s soundness and aesthetics.

Home remodeling not only improves the quality of life, ease and comfort, but it also increases the value of your home, promising a good return on investment. So, it can be a nightmare for homeowners to find out that their new spaces or designs are out of style too quickly.

If you want to avoid that, exploring the latest trends in home redesigning and remodeling can be a great way to start your project.

So, to help you choose the right projects and right designs, we have gathered a list of top 5 home remodeling projects in 2018-2019.

A Home for All Age Groups

Previously, homes were usually designed only for young age groups with a little thought to the accessibility for seniors.

With baby boomers aging, more and more people are choosing to age in place which brings new focus to accessibility and living for all ages. Accessibility remodeling includes widening of hallways and corridors to accommodate wheelchairs, adding a room at the main floor for a senior member of the family, or building a ramp to access the basement.

Even though remodeling for increasing accessibility for all age groups is a costly job, but it offers a high return on investment and can result in higher property value.

Stylish Roof Decks

Previously a feature of apartment buildings, roof decks are now making a strong entry into the residential homes. Used as an alternative to backyard deck or patio, roof decks are becoming a place to enjoy outdoors. In the homes with a good view, roof decks can provide a quiet and calm place to relax on a pleasant evening.

Repairing roof, installing a deck or an attractive yet weather-resistant flooring material, and adding some garden chairs, sofa and umbrella can create a living space out of your terrace. Add a little greenery and plantation to enjoy a refreshing view.

Sustainable Home Remodeling

The debate on climate change and need for sustainable building and residential practices has taken its root in the remodeling as well.

Environmental friendliness will remain one of the hottest trends in 2018 and the coming years. From choosing eco-friendly building materials, installing insulation on walls and roofs, to environmentally safe paints, various projects fall into the category of sustainable remodeling.

With the careful thought of the window placement and openings, homeowners are remodeling spaces to improve airflow that can ensure passive temperature control. Along with this, the home automation systems are also among top trends.

Getting Creative with Basement

If you want to add living space in your home without undergoing through additions or extensions, it is time to utilize the basement space.

In the past, most of the homeowners were only focused on waterproofing the basement. However, now luxury has become a new statement in basement layout, finishing, and décor. From adding a full-fledged kitchen to a converting the basement space into a large home theatre, it is time to utilize the basement in creative and fun ways. If you have an aging parent, you can remodel basement into an independent senior living unit.

While basement remodeling is an expensive project, a good return on investment is assured as the trend is here to stay.

 Bathroom Remodeling

Bathrooms are often overlooked areas of the home with an emphasis only on the functionality.

But, the trend is changed now. In 2018 and coming years, grand and luxury bathrooms with rustic fixtures will remain in style. While installing new bathroom floors and replacing fixtures can help you improve aesthetics, a complete redesign can help you unlock more foot space and better flow.

Take Home?

Whether small or large-scale, residential remodeling is a considerably challenging and costly job. If you are a homeowner looking for remodeling, it is good to pick latest trends and styles to make sure that these remain in-style for a long time, promising you a good return on investment.

The year 2018 is dedicated to luxury remodels. From creative basement spaces to adding a stylish roof deck, homeowners are choosing remodels that can go a long way regarding aesthetics and functionality.

The national average on home improvement spending in the United States is $$39,858 with low-end remodeling and small projects costing up to $3,800 and multiple additions and remodeling reaching up to $138,000. Even a kitchen remodeling project can cost you $22, 125 on average while the additions are $42, 280 on the national average.
One thing is imperative from these statistics that you would need a considerable amount of budget to undertake any home improvements, renovations or remodeling. If you have been raising a home improvement fund all along and have saved up enough amount, you are good to go.
But, if you do not have money saved up and cannot delay the home repairs and renovations any further, you will need to look for financing options for home improvement. Even though there are different financing options available varying from mortgage loans to personal loans, it is a challenging decision for most of the homeowners.
A good home improvement financing option is efficient, have low-interest rate and has easy to understand terms along with great customer care services. The loan should be big enough to accommodate all your requirements and must be flexible enough to have an easy payment schedule.
So, how do you decide which financing loan is the best for you? Find it out here.

1- Personal Loans with No Collateral

This is the simplest type of loan with no collateral. It is usually for small amounts and is only good for small projects in home improvement. Homeowners choose personal loans when they do not have any equity in their home or do not want to risk their property or automobile for the loan. Personal loans are unsecured, and therefore, the loan amount is small, and interest rates are high with the speedy application process.  
Positives

• There is no collateral which your property is not at risk.
• There is no appraisal required.
• The process is quick and simple, and you can get a loan even within 24 hours.

Negatives

• The interest rates are much higher than other equity loans.
• The loan amount is small.
• There can be hidden\n charges in the application process.
• The credit store matters, so only people with strong credit can get them.

2- Refinancing Mortgage

Refinancing is one of the most common options taken by homeowners when it comes to costly home remodeling. As the name indicates, refinancing is a secured loan in which you mortgage your home for more loan amount than outstanding amount on your home.
It allows you to take out cash against the equity of your home. In the situations where interest rates have dropped since you financed your home, refinancing can help you get lower interest rate and APR. If you are paying a flexible interest rate, you can change it to a lower fixed interest rate with refinancing.
For example, your home’s value is one million dollars. The outstanding amount is $4,00,000 which means that you have an equity of $6,00,000. In refinancing, the lender will let you loan an amount of $6,00,000 to pay off the previous loan and have money for the renovations. You will enter into a new financing contract with the lender.
Positives

• A loan for a large amount is available.
• A lower interest rate can be utilized as compared to the first-time financing.
• It has a fixed interest rate.

Negatives

• It is a secured loan which means that you are putting your home at risk for a higher debt than it was before.
• The application process is lengthy and complicated.
• An appraisal is required.

3- Home Equity Loans

The home equity loan is another common type of remodeling loans among homeowners where refinancing does not seem to be a viable option. Home equity loans are taken against the equity, i.e., your share in the home, but unlike refinancing, you only take the loan amount as needed for home renovation and do not pay off the outstanding loan. It does not affect your mortgage contract.
For example, your home is one million, and you have an outstanding loan of $4,00,000 which means that you have an equity of $6,00,000. So, the lender will loan you the specified amount such as $2,00,000 against your home equity.
If you the interest rates have increased since your home mortgage, it is better to choose home equity over refinancing option.
Positives

• It is a faster option than refinancing mortgage.
• The risk is lower than the refinancing option.
• The closing amount is usually lower than the refinancing.
• You can get fixed interest rate.

Negatives

• You can only loan a small amount which means it is only suitable for small projects.
• The interest rates are higher than the refinancing.

4- Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

Even though it is also taken against home equity, HELOC is different than home equity loan. It works like a credit card. The lender approves a loan amount to you with a ceiling, but instead of getting it as a lump sum, you get credit amount which you can withdraw whenever you want. These loans have a withdraw period which can be as long as ten years and a repayment period which can be up to 15 years.
In the withdraw period, you can take out credit and pay small amounts in monthly bills which only have a little portion of capital along with interest. In the repayment period, you pay the large monthly amount to pay for the outstanding capital.
Positives

• You can withdraw as much as you want and whenever you want.
• The loan amount can vary from small to large.
• The monthly payments are small during the draw period.
• It can work for long-term renovation projects with a flexible budget.
• Closing rates are low.

Negatives

• The monthly payment during repayment period can be hefty.
• These are offered at a flexible interest rate, and the lender can increase it significantly.
• Homeowners tend to overspend when they have a flexible credit amount.

5- Credit Card

If you are thinking about a small renovation project, your credit card can work as fine with it as it does with online shopping when you do not have cash. You can withdraw amount for home improvements and pay it at the end of the month in the credit card bill. It is an easy and convenient way in which there is no lengthy application process.
But, you may need to pay much higher interest than other remodeling loans because of a higher interest rate on credit card.
Positives

• It is quick and easy without any long application process.
• You do not need an appraisal.
• You can withdraw anytime.
• You can also get an interest-free loan if your bank is offering an interest-free period.

Negatives

• The loan amount is small.
• The interest rate is anywhere between 16% to 22% APR.

6- Government-Backed Loan Programs

If you are looking for an extremely affordable loan option, you can consider Federal Housing Authorities 203(k) loan.  It is specifically designed for the home improvement and renovation. 
For the homeowners who have property at a good location with strong value but requires major renovations, this can be the most viable option. It is offered against the value of your home after improvement. For example, the current value of your home is $4,00,000, and its value will be half a million after renovation, 203(k) loans will consider its value as half a million.
Positives

• It is a highly subsidized loan option with a low-interest rate.
• You do not need a good credit score to secure the loan.
• It can provide a large amount of loan as it considers after improvement value.
• You do not need to have equity.

Negatives

• The application process is lengthy and complicated.
• Contractors and investors cannot qualify for this loan.
• You will need to strictly follow building codes regulation to ensure your renovation and additions are as per codes.

Conclusion
While there are various home improvement financing options with different pros and cons, you should consider your own home improvement goals to choose the right one.
Home improvements or remodeling are costly services. Therefore, these improvements must add value to your property, promising a return on investment. It is not likely that you can secure 100% of the investment of a home improvement project unless it is an eco-friendly remodeling. However, you must try to maximize your return.

After carefully considering project goals and ROI, you should check the interest rate, loan amount and flexibility of repayment to choose the best refinancing option.