1. U-Socket:Apple devices reign in most households, so the new U-Socket wall plug has two built-in USB ports to power devices including iPhones, gaming devices, digital cameras, Kindles and iPads. The U-Socket also has a smart sensor that allows it to shut off when the device is fully charged — an environmentally friendly feature that prevents “vampire drain.”
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| U-Socket |
2. Kicking the Shower to the Curb:Showers are becoming more popular than tubs. “Homeowners are looking to embellish the ‘shower experience’ rather than the tub experience,” says Neil Kelly Design Consultant Kathleen Donohue. An increasingly popular feature is the curb-less shower.
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3. Stand Alone Tubs:If homeowners want a tub experience in 2014, it’s likely they will select a free standing tub as a structural element, which takes up much less space in the room than the old tiled-in tub deck.
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4. Floating Shelves:Cabinets can make or break a kitchen design, and Neil Kelly design consultant Fabian Genovesi likes to break up the cabinet layout. “I design kitchens that are not just long runs of cabinets but that are broken up into different sections,” says Fabian. “Don’t take up all the space with cabinets. Have floating shelves, open spaces, and room to hang wall art.”
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| Floating-Shelves-Trends-Fabian |
5. Cobalt Blue:While designers may disagree on what constitutes some trends in 2014, on one subject they all agree: Bright colors are most certainly “in.” Neil Kelly Design Consultant Suzie Atkin says cobalt blue is a particularly hot color.
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6. From Modern to Modest:The industrial modern décor of 2013 will morph into a more relaxed, more classic and modest look in 2014. While stone, metal, and wood will still be popular, expect a more relaxed feel and rounded designs with earth shades and raw metal finishes.
7. Self-Expression:Whether it’s bold use of color or ornamentation, homeowners won’t be afraid to express their personality. Jeweled colors, gilded frames, and layered textiles will be methods of self-expression in 2014.
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| Trend-7-Self-Expression |
8. Multigenerational Living:Neil Kelly Design Consultant Barbara Murphy is helping clients design bathrooms outfitted with multigenerational features that can accommodate aging parents or boomerang kids. Wall mounted sinks for wheelchairs, walk-in bathtubs, and motion sensing faucets can make the bath a better experience for everyone,” she says.
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| Trends-Multigenerational-Living |
9. Eco-friendly Cabinets:2014 incorporates looks from Mother Nature, and cabinets will be no exception. Earth-friendly cabinets with no added formaldehyde and non-toxic glues, binders, and finishes will rise in demand. Neil Kelly has seen a rise in inquiries from people with chemical sensitivity.
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| Trend-8-Eco-Friendly-Cabinets |
10. Urban Downsizing:Downsizing continues to be a long-term trend. 2014 will see people interested in living in smaller spaces that are closer to urban downtowns rather than larger houses in the suburbs.
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