26 Design Trends for 2006
Doris Pearlman, MIRM and Jan Mitchell
A new year is always a great time to assess your model homes and to take stock of your buyers’ latest cravings. Below are 26 trends to watch out for.

1.    Shifting Demographics — Ward, June, Wally and the Beave no longer make up the bulk of our markets. Now our buyers look more like the cast of Friends, Will & Grace, or even Seinfeld’s parents! Don’t assume your customers are families with 2.3 kids unless your research says so.                           

2.     Ethnic Diversity — Immigration has fueled a buying wave from Asians and Latin Americans. Sprinkle your models with items from diverse cultures.
                                                            
3.    Class for the Masses — Target’s buyers deserve sophistication just as much as Tiffany’s customers do. Be sure the latest trends and elegant taste are reflected in models for all income levels.    

4.     Mix, Don't Match — Instead of four matching dinette chairs, try four different but coordinating ones. This reflects livability and credibility in your models.  

5.     Catalog Culture — Whose mailboxes aren’t flooded with tomes from Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and J. Jill? These retailers are setting the style standards for your customers. Monitor them for trends.                                        

6.     HGTV, DIY, TLC — Home improvement and TV makeover shows are all the rage. Check them out to see what idea of home your customers are getting.                         

7.     Gated Communities — Safety is still important in the suburbs; security systems and concierges are likewise paramount in condos.                  

8.     “Eye Candy” — Bright pink and lime green accents will excite your buyers and create memorability.      

9.      Accessories for Kids — Pottery Barn, L.L. Bean, and Bombay all have kids’ lines. Kids’ style is everywhere, and it should be reflected in children’s bedrooms and retreats.   

10.    Heritage With a Heart — The trend toward Craftsman style shows our buyers are tired of cookie-cutter and dated designs. Today they want timeless character.                           

11.    Antiques & Reproductions — Your buyers want this same heart and character in their homes’ interiors too. Is it shabby? Then it might just be chic!               

12.    More Masculine Furniture — Curlicues and gingerbread have given way to straight, contemporary, Eastern-inspired designs.  

13.    Comfort Furniture — That recliner your father had that your mother hated? It’s baaack. Only it’s sleeker and more fashionable. Bean bags chairs for kids and comfy places to plop down in the media center are welcome as well.                                     

14.    Natural Textures & Fabrics — Grass cloth is on the walls again, and bamboo and sisal rugs are on the floor.

15.    Suedes & Leathers — Natural is in for furniture, too. 

16.    Pewter, Bronze, Copper Finishes — Brushed and satin nickel have been around a while. Now it’s time to make way for these new fixture and hardware finishes.   

17.    Urban Living — More people are shunning the suburban commute and living where the action is. Give them a sophisticated,  urban look to go with it.  

18.    Lighting as Jewelry — The cool pendant lamps and romantic ambient lighting are icing on your models’ cake. 

19.    Furniture for Kitchens — The island is bigger and better; cabinets look custom-built even when they aren’t.

20.    Spa Baths — These are stronger than ever with the addition of body shower sprays, massage corners, and yoga retreats.

21.    Ultimate Utility — Laundry rooms are bigger, have more counter space, and cool gadgets. Steaming cabinets, built-in ironing boards (appearing again), and jet-sinks for hand washing are loved by buyers.   

22.    Expanding Home Entertainment — The media room is still strong; plasma TVs are showing up in bedrooms, studies, and kitchens, and computer niches are a must for games and homework.

23.    Great Garages — Systems like the Gladiator line organize garden equipment, power tools, bikes, and hobby areas. 

24.     Wine & Martinis — Cosmo, anyone? Martini shakers are up- to-date accents; wine closets and coolers are still popular.

25.     Universal Design — Our visiting parents aren’t getting any younger (and neither are we). “Visitability” in entry doors, barrier-free showers, and non-stoop dishwashers show buyers you care. 

26.     Breathing Space — Whether your buyers commute from the city or live in the midst of it, they want a relaxing refuge to come home to. “Quiet zones,” interior courtyards, and fountains will nurture their spirit.  

If you follow these 26 trends, you’ll be well on your way to wowing your buyers this year!

Doris Pearlman, MIRM, and her staff at Possibilities for Design, Inc., have been awarded multiple awards from home builders across the nation. Pearlman received the “Excellence in Education Award” in 1999 by the Institute of Residential Marketing.

Jan Mitchell is senior editor of Sales + Marketing Ideas magazine, is the author of Sales and Marketing Checklists for Profit-Driven Builders from Builderbooks.com, and is a home and garden writer. [ return to top ]