2018’s top trends in the home renovation industry

National trends suggest that nearly half of Canadian homeowners will choose to renovate their properties this year (with 48% of homeowners polled by CIBC last May planning to renovate in 2017). If, like much of the country, a home renovation project is in your plan for 2018, keeping up with the latest developments in the home improvement and design industries will give you some insight into the newest and most popular renovations taking place right now.

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite current trends in the home renovation industry to help give you some inspiration.

Technology upgrades

Technology has developed far beyond basic Internet access in recent years, and now many homeowners are integrating their homes with smart products that learn their preferences and work together to streamline day-to-day life.

If you want to catch up to recent technology trends, you can easily give your home a tech upgrade by investing in a few quality appliances with built-in smart sensors. Some require professional installation, but many of these products are so straightforward that they can be set up in minutes with no outside help.

Bold, vibrant colours

Whether you’re planning a large scale renovation project this year or just want to freshen up your home, the latest colour trends will help keep your home’s style fresh and current for 2018.

This year, bold and bright colour palettes are popular, so you can take your pick of any number of purples, reds, pinks, and blues to suit your personal tastes and brighten up your home.

Caliente is Benjamin Moore’s Colour of the Year, but if you’re feeling particularly brave you can opt for walls, decorative accents, and even front doors painted with Pantone’s Ultra Violet.

Natural materials

Because homeowners are conscious of their environmental impact more than ever before, many home renovation trends now incorporate natural materials in order to comply with current eco-friendly practices.

If you have a room remodel or addition planned for 2018, keep these environmentally friendly ideas in mind when choosing building materials. FSC-certified wood and other natural materials such as bamboo, cork, and reclaimed tile are all easily sourced and on-trend.

For decorative accents, lava rock and bone will be popular this year, and a perfect way to spruce up your space. You will be pleasantly surprised with the way these organic materials make your home feel more comfortable, lived-in, and connected to the earth.

Imperfect finishes

Just a few short years ago, modern minimalism was the most talked-about design style for many homeowners. This style practically screamed perfection and boasted a monochrome colour palette, right angles, and crisp, clean finishes. However, trends change so quickly in the home renovation market, so it’s hardly a surprise that “perfect” is out for 2018 and “imperfect” is in.

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese imperfection-embracing aesthetic that has taken the design world by storm. Trendsetters around the world are talking about this new fad, but Ontario-based interior design company Graham’s and Son seems to think this trend is going to hit it big in Canada in 2018 as well.

This is particularly good news for homeowners whose DIY efforts are often less than perfect, because Wabi-sabi sees the beauty in elements such as visible cracks and wrinkles and a lived-in look (which also ties in nicely with natural building materials).

Now that you’re up to date on some of the hottest trends across the industry, you can start to plan your next home renovation project. Remember: bold, imperfect, natural, and tech-savvy homes are in for 2018, so get to work and have fun with your new home! 

Kaitlin Krull is a writer and mom of two girls living the expat life. She enjoys writing for the HVAC leads professionals at Modernize with the goal of providing expert knowledge on home improvement projects and connecting homeowners to qualified HVAC contractors.