| Home StylesOld world styles are popular. French, | | | | style.Stair rails in ultra modern homes may be wire, |
| English, Tuscan and Spanish homes with stone or | | | | pipe or painted metal.Front porches and covered |
| stucco walls, tile roofs, iron fixtures, heavy beams and | | | | patios are always a strong selling point. Outdoor |
| rustic floors are in demand. A sense of historic | | | | fireplaces are popping up everywhere.Floors & |
| connection resonates with buyers today.The | | | | WallsDistressed wood floors that look old are valued. |
| Craftsman style, built in the early 1900's, is back. | | | | Simple wood boards are sometimes laid down with |
| Features of this style, such as cobblestones, deep | | | | cracks exposed. Re-claimed wood is very |
| eaves, tapered columns and wide trim, favor the | | | | desirable.Bamboo floors are popular, especially in |
| handmade look over mass produced.Farmhouses and | | | | modern style homes where light colored floors are |
| country homes are perfect remodel candidates and | | | | desired.Concrete floors - often stained and scored are |
| prototypes for new homes. Native materials, wood | | | | popular. These go well with the modern look, and are |
| windows, simple floor plans, and warm colors connect | | | | used in Craftsman and rustic European styles |
| with nature and earlier times.The retro look is | | | | too.Colorful laminate floors are a good fit with |
| fashionable. Ranch styles and split levels built in the | | | | mid-century modern. Laminate floors that looks like |
| 1950's are perfect for sleek remodels, and fit with | | | | wood are out. Parquet floors are out, unless hand |
| fashionable furniture styles.Urban modern is | | | | crafted.Framed or hung mirrors are preferred, although |
| everywhere. Modern open plans make use of color, | | | | plate glass works in ultra modern styles. Mirrors used |
| tile, glass, and experimental materials such as plastic | | | | on walls or ceilings are a turn off.Colors are in, but soft |
| and metal.Floor PlanThe preferred ceiling height is 9'-11'. | | | | is the word. Soft greens, yellows, earth tones and |
| Two story ceilings are out. In small rooms these feel | | | | creams create a serene background that fits many |
| like towers.Lots of floor level changes are not | | | | styles. Complex colors, with more colors in the mix, are |
| desirable.Most buyers today want four bedrooms, and | | | | sought after. Deeply saturated colors, such as plums |
| at least two living areas. Formal dining rooms are still in | | | | and reds, are used in moderation.Flat paint on walls |
| demand.Formal living rooms are often converted to | | | | hides flaws and creates a designer look. Shiny is out. |
| studies, libraries, or guest rooms.Media rooms are a | | | | Soft whites are safe for trim.Faux finishes are out. |
| sought after feature when price range allows.The | | | | Often these do not turn out as well as expected, and |
| visual and spatial connection between kitchen and | | | | are difficult to maintain.The same (or similar) wall color |
| family room is firmly established.Cabinet space is | | | | through adjoining spaces creates a more spacious |
| required for large televisions and wall space for the | | | | feeling.Historic paint colors such as sage greens, |
| newer flat screens.Three car garages are needed, | | | | beiges, muted yellows, and grays work well on the |
| especially in areas without basements.Structured wiring | | | | exterior. Bold or harsh colors are a turn-off to most |
| is important today for internet, phone, cable and sound. | | | | buyers.Wallpaper is problematic and harder to change |
| Desk space for computers is required.Good access to | | | | than paint. Very often it does not fit the buyer's |
| the outdoors is something buyers look for. French | | | | taste.Heavily textured walls and popcorn ceilings are |
| doors combine access with light. Sliding glass doors | | | | totally out.Lighting & Plumbing FixturesBuyers want |
| are not as favored.Lots of storage is needed for | | | | more windows, natural light, and a greater connection |
| today's lifestyle. People have lots of stuff. Huge | | | | with the outdoors.People today are more discriminating |
| master closets, pantries, laundry rooms, and extra | | | | about the quality of light. Windows on two sides of the |
| storage closets are expected.On the other hand, very | | | | room balance the lighting and reduce glare.One light in |
| spare lofts are perfect for some lifestyles. Simplified | | | | the middle of the room will not do. Under cabinet task |
| spaces are an antidote to today's complex | | | | lighting is appreciated. Security lighting is important. Wall |
| lifestyle.Kitchens/BathsMost buyers are savvy about | | | | sconces offer soft ambient lighting. Recessed cans |
| kitchen design and appreciate good work spaces with | | | | provide area light. Dimmers help to control the |
| easy access to range, refrigerator and sink. Lots of | | | | lighting.Light fixtures are a decorative element in all |
| counter space, deep drawers, two sinks, nearby extra | | | | styles. Clean, modern fixtures, such as pendant lights, |
| refrigerator, and butler's pantries are all desirable | | | | recessed cans, and wire string lights compliment the |
| features.Stainless appliances are going strong. In urban | | | | urban look.Retro fixtures are interesting decorative |
| modern styles, white or colored appliances are back. | | | | features in 1930's craftsman and 1950's ranch |
| High end homes conceal some appliances as | | | | styles.Industrial metal fixtures are in. The un-decorated, |
| cabinetry.Eat-in kitchens are a basic requirement for | | | | industrial look of metal or stainless steel is in.Heavy |
| most buyers.Antique tables or cabinets are being | | | | drapes are out. They are too pretentious, and, well, |
| refurbished and used as bath cabinets. Kitchen | | | | heavy. Light cotton, linen or silk drapes are in. Or, wood |
| cabinets that look like furniture are a great look.Granite, | | | | blinds. Or nothing.Retro woven wood blinds have made |
| marble or stone counters are popular. However, | | | | a comeback. Mini blinds are very yesterday.Bath |
| granite tops added to 1980's cabinets do not go over | | | | fixtures are finished in rustic bronze, nickel, or chrome. |
| well. Consider your architectural style before adding | | | | Old style two-handled faucets and farmhouse sinks |
| features.Concrete countertops are perfect for ultra | | | | are in style.Bath sinks may be glass bowls, granite, |
| modern, but most buyers shy away from them.Wide, | | | | stone, stainless or traditional china. Cultured marble is |
| cabinet depth refrigerators have a built-in look, and are | | | | out.Free standing tubs are in. Pedestal and wall hung |
| not as expensive as the true built-in type.Large rustic | | | | lavatories are in.Energy EfficiencyWith fuel costs going |
| tiles, stone, concrete or wood floors have a warm, | | | | up, energy efficiency is definitely in. Buyers want high |
| functional appeal.Subway tile (3" x 6") is popular in | | | | efficiency AC, good insulation, low-e glass, |
| bathrooms and on kitchen backsplashes.Patterned | | | | programmable thermostats, double pane windows, and |
| cultured marble and laminate are out. Slippery, white | | | | ceiling fans.Effective passive solar orientation is a great |
| floor tile is out.TrimWide, baseboards (6"+) and door | | | | advantage. It shows a smart planning and useof |
| and window trim (4"+) are key features in old | | | | natural solar energy.Instant hot water is a perk that |
| European and American styles.Craftsman style doors | | | | buyers like, as are drinking water filters.No one wants |
| - simple square frames with flat panels - work well | | | | foil on windows or stick-on window film.Light is in |
| with both old and modern looks.Iron or heavy wood | | | | demand. Don't close blinds. Do remove solar screens |
| entry doors make strong statements that buyers | | | | when they are not needed, such as under patio roofs, |
| love.Rustic finishes on hardware, such as brushed | | | | porches or shade trees.Screened porches are back. |
| nickel, oil rubbed bronze, weathered brass, and other | | | | They create a multi purpose space that is both indoors |
| non-shiny finishes are the popular choices.Rustic wood | | | | and outdoors, and keep mosquitoes away.Roselind |
| beams or wood covered ceilings create a hand | | | | Hejl is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker United in Austin, |
| crafted, primitive look that buyers like.Wrought iron | | | | Texas. Her website - - offers homes for sale, market |
| gates, stair rails and light fixtures compliment the rustic | | | | trends, buyer and seller guides. |