Has your starter home become your forever home?
Maybe you love your home’s location too much to move. Or, if you’re like many Montgomery County homeowners, limited inventory and rising interest rates may have stalled your plans to move somewhere bigger and better. As more families decide to stay where they are, a new trend has emerged to keep spaces fresh, interesting, and personalized — going bold.
Bold personalization happens when we make a home design decision that goes against the grain and steps away from staying safe or neutral. Some may be ready to dive into the deep end with a unique look in every room, others would rather just dip a toe in with one small space, and many homeowners fall somewhere in between. In this blog, we’ll explore options at each level so you can decide how bold you’d like to be.
Level 1: Barely Bold
There are many reasons why homeowners don’t like to take big risks in design choices — perhaps a louder dynamic doesn’t fit their personality, they don’t have the budget for drastic changes, or maybe they’d like to resell in the near future. If you find yourself in this category but still want to incorporate a few tastefully bold choices, here are some ideas for you:
Unique Lighting
Statement lighting pieces are a relatively easy way to impact the look and style of your home. Pictured above are fun, textured lights from a recent remodel in Doylestown. Aptly named “urchin” pendants, they bring a splash of fun and personality to the kitchen. Best of all, homeowners can easily swap them out if they want something different.Statement Tile
Whether in the kitchen or the bathroom, many homeowners incorporate statement tiles in their design. It could be as subtle as a contrasting pattern in a shower niche or a vibrant, geometric work of art behind your stovetop. Whatever you choose, your wall tile could be the perfect opportunity to be (a little) bold.Welcoming Wallpaper
That’s right, wallpaper is back. If you miss playful patterns on your wall, wallpaper in a smaller space such as a powder room or home office could be the just-right touch of personality you’re looking for.Level 2: Fairly Bold
This next level is for homeowners who are ready to make more of an investment in their design decisions. In this category are ideas that may involve small structural changes, could cost more, and are more difficult to change. If you’re feeling confident in your design style and are staying in your home for a while, these are for you:
Ceiling Treatments
Looking for some next-level bold options? Look up! Exposed beams, coffered or tray ceilings, or even a dark, bold paint color, as in this Plymouth Meeting remodel, draw eyes upward and create a sense of grandeur.Creative Countertops
Countertops with dramatic veining or unique patterns are strikingly beautiful and an investment you’ll keep for a good amount of time. We’re seeing a lot of sparkling gold veining, as well as fluted or waterfall styles that make islands truly eye-catching.Colored Cabinets
Tired of playing it safe with wood-stained cabinets? Go bold and paint them a rich, vibrant color. Your kitchen or bathroom will benefit from the visual interest and a unique touch of personality.Level 3: Maximum Bold
Ready to be extreme? The last level in bold personalization gets into more extensive structural changes, design choices that could be controversial for future homeowners, and changes that usually require a large investment. These aren’t for everyone, but for some, they’re exactly what’s needed to make a home truly their own.
