Taking a Look at Home Interior Trends of 2009
Are you wondering what is new for home interior trends in ’09? Perhaps you are looking to prep your house to sell, building a new property from scratch, expanding to a new office complex or you just need a change of scenery. Interior design jobs encompass a range of diverse styles, themes and tastes, although there are some clear trends emerging now that builders are allowing clients so many customizable options. This year, open floor plans will likely continue to flourish, along with more practical ideas to combine energy efficiency and frugality in a tasteful way.
Homes from the 1800s to early 1900s were special in that the home designs of large family estates were internally divided to create distinct environments. For instance, home owners had practical servant’s quarters on the lower level floors near the kitchen, whereas the family’s bedrooms were all situated upstairs. A powder room was often found downstairs and an en-suite bathroom was just off the parent’s master bath. The children often lived down a hallway and in their own separate quarter of the house, so the parents could have a bit of privacy and reprieve.
In some instances, a carriage house held the in laws or guests. This is a home interior trend that’s coming back for 2009, with second or third bedroom suites and added bathrooms increasing in popularity. “Buyers are saying, let’s put kids over here to one side to keep things quiet for parents or in-laws who will be moving in with them,” explains Kyle Lindsey, owner of Kyle Lindsey Custom Homes. These secondary suites are typically 300-400 square-feet with full bathrooms and occasional sitting rooms in an isolated section of the house, Lindsey adds.
Another home interior trend that will proliferate into 2009 is green, sustainable building and modifications, builders agree. “People are trying to save money wherever they can, building to higher energy standards and building green to save water and electricity,” admonishes Bob Weiss, executive VP for Kentucky Homebuilders. Many homeowners are trading in wall-to-wall carpets for recycled wood.
TechShield radiant barrier roof decking, which reflects heat away from attics, is purchased by 98% of new home buyers in markets like San Antonio, where the sun beats down all day long, driving up air conditioning costs. Low VOC paint, which emits far less fumes than traditional paints, has become the standard. Spray foam insulation, energy efficient lighting, air circulation systems and insulating window coatings are a few of the eco-friendly interior design trends to look out for.
Any architect interior designer will tell you that the home interior vibe is all in the finishing touches: wall finishes, paint, flooring, countertops. These nuances can draw home owners in or leave them feeling discordant. John Friesenhahn of Imagine Homes says native rock and brick exteriors are classic choices, but home owners are looking for a little more color on their interiors. He says Silestone countertops offer a wide range of colors.
Last year’s mocha and sage green paint colors will be traded in for mustard yellow and grassy greens. Allergen-proof, easy-to-clean and natural flooring is in this year too. High-end homes will see Italian mosaic tiles, travertine and porcelain. Dark exotic wood cabinetry became popular in 2008 and will continue as an interior design kitchen and bedroom staple throughout 2009.
Interior House Painting – Masking Tape – Tips and Tricks
Painting walls is one of the largest tasks when painting the interior of a house. This article will help shed some light on a few tips and tricks to using masking tape to paint great looking walls.
With interior house painting, having nicely painted walls is important. The typical way of painting walls is to first ‘cut-in’ the edges with a brush and then fill in the center areas by rolling the paint on. For the beginner or average DIY person cutting-in is typically done using tape to mask off the edges of the painted wall; paint is then applied without much accuracy in hopes that when the masking tape is removed the freshly painted wall will have a clean edge. Usually the outcome is less than desirable and the problem can at times be attributed to the tape being applied improperly, luckily there are a few ways to improve the results of tape when used for interior house painting work.
When applying the tape, apply it gently without stretching or over-pulling. This gives the tapes adhesive a better chance to do its job and stick more fully to the surface it’s being applied to, reducing the amount of paint that can seep under the edge. Once the tape has been gently applied, press the tape onto the surface using a rag. Occasionally with some uneven or bumpy surfaces the tape can be punctured by the surface irregularity but in most interior house painting applications the surface is relatively smooth so there shouldn’t be a problem. The rag helps to disperse the pressure and again allows the adhesive to more fully adhere to the surface and prevent paint seepage.
When painting your wall with a brush, start brushing and spreading the paint next to the tape before painting directly onto the tape. Once you’ve spread some paint on the wall next to the tape line brush the paint in-line with the tape instead of brushing directly into the tape. This will reduce the likelihood of paint seeping under the tape and/or paint being forced under the tape by the brush.
There are also a couple of tricks to painting with masking tape, these tricks are only really applicable to interior house painting but can really make a difference and will change most peoples opinions of tape I believe. If you have the same color of paint that the tape is protecting, you can paint this color onto the tape before painting your new color. This will fill in any gaps in the tape, so when you apply your new color all the gaps and paint seepage areas have already been filled with the color beneath.
Another trick is to use caulking in a similar fashion as above. Take clear caulking, mix it 4:1 with water and apply this mixture to the tape before applying your finish top-coat. Be sure to let this dry, what this does is similar to the double paint layer, it fills in the gaps and prevents paint from seeping under the tape.
When removing your tape, pull it slowly and at a sharp angle away from the painted surface. It’s best to remove the tape when the paint is fresh (after a second coat or if you’re only doing one coat) as the paint has yet to dry and create a seal. It’s wise to always invest in decent quality products, some tapes have stronger adhesives or are made for specific uses, never be afraid to ask for advice from a home improvement or paint store. Typically you’ll find people versed in the ways of interior house painting working at these places, especially a paint store!.
Remember to be safe, read about your products and adhere to all safety and cautionary procedures. I hope these tips help to improve your interior house painting projects!
Interior Home Remodeling – Space Saving Ideas
The space inside your home is your own unique place where you do what you want, where you shut yourself out from the outside world or invite others to share it with them. Hence, how well you flip it to suit your needs is always of high value and meaning.
Once in a while people tend to do home makeovers for some reason. Interior home remodeling plays an important role in making your home interior increase its options for function, comfort and livability. Space is usually the main concern from the attic down to the basement. But never let it bother you. It’s not how big or small your space is but how you use it that counts. Even the smallest home can give the illusion of being spacious with the appropriate and sound interior home remodeling ideas.
Color is an essential element to consider in remodeling your interior. Understanding color and how to use it in your space can help you make your home visually appealing. It maybe easy for some but it is also intimidating for others. Different hues can be used to create a variety of moods, improve ambiance and add depth to your interior. Color can soothe the senses, boost creativity and promote relaxation. Whatever color you prefer for your interior, study your options carefully before starting any renovations.
Color can visually alter how large a room appears. Use light colors to your walls and ceilings to make it look bigger. Complement it by adding scenic decorations and reflective mirrors to increase the feeling of spaciousness.
A good furniture setting is what makes a house a home. Without furniture, your interior would look like an empty shell. But every person has its own unique idea of what furniture is comfortable and convenient for him. So buy only furniture that suit your preferences and something that you will enjoy not only now but for the years to come. Arranging them properly could further enhance the elegance and spaciousness of your interior.
In most cases, due to the excitement for the new look, people are driven to fill every inch of the floor with things and more things. All too often the effect is disastrous and terrible. Any room can look bigger doing the opposite. Eliminating unnecessary furniture in your room is a simple task taken for granted but maybe is the only solution to create more space for your family and activities.
Moreover, settle for furniture that are multi-functional and have a dual purpose. Make your bedrooms usable for sleeping during the night and when the sun comes up, they can be easily transformed into an office, a den or a playroom whichever suits you.
Color and furniture are equally important to include in your interior home remodeling plans to bring a quality tone and expansiveness of the new look.