Homeowners are designing for the home they own and occupy rather than designing for resale. Colorado’s tough housing market has homeowners designing for their own preferences, knowing they may be in their house longer. Still, neutral colors and classic looks remain popular.
Bev Moriarty, an interior designer in Highlands Ranch, said warm grays and greens are very popular, and are often accented with rich yellow or eggplant tones. She said wallpaper is still making a slow comeback, but bold wallpaper designs will become a bigger trend in the next couple of years. 
Christina Kittelstad of Spiral Design Color Consulting in Lakewood said vibrant greens and violet tones are also being used as accents, and ceilings are a new site for bright accent colors. “It really puts the final touch on a room and can be such a welcome surprise in certain spaces such as recessed ceilings in dining rooms, master bedrooms, porches or nurseries,” she said. “To create a cozier space on high ceilings, use a warm darker color and to lift a low ceiling, paint a lighter, brighter color.”
Kittelstad said such accents won’t hurt resale value, either. “Contrary to popular belief, when used correctly and in small doses, color increases curb appeal and potential buyers take notice,” Kittelstad said.
A few of the hottest new paint brands are Devine Color and Mythic Paint. Devine Color replaces printed color reproductions with handmade artists’ palettes, and the company can mail mini-paint pouches for color testing. Mythic has zero toxins and no odor.
Chalkboard paint also remains popular, both for children’s rooms and large wall calendars for families to list tasks and stay organized.
Despite the expansion of new hardwoods, cork and other flooring surfaces, travertine and other natural stones are still popular for countertops and flooring. However, homeowners also are attracted to less expensive porcelain tiles that mimic the look of natural stone.
Granite is still the much-loved standard for kitchen countertops, according to Case Remodeling, an award-winning national remodeling franchise company. However, new materials are gaining ground, including copper, quartzite and pyrolave, a pricey enameled lava.
Dark cherry and other wood colors are in fashion for cabinets, along with a return to painted finishes.
In bathrooms, freestanding tubs are making a comeback, and large, jetted tubs are not selling as well as in recent years. They require more water, a full bathroom remodel and possibly even a new water heater.
On the other hand, high-tech showers are among the most popular design trends, according to Case. Top-shelf shower upgrades include individually adjustable shower jets lining walls and ceilings; steam baths; sound panels and matching light displays; and customizable shower stalls that can be programmed for each family member. Top-mount vessel sinks are also a big bathroom trend.
Case Remodeling experts are also designing more functional and adjustable lighting combinations in the kitchen. Combining softer ambient lighting with targeted task lighting provides a more comfortable and attractive setting than a set of harsh, white fluorescent tubes in the ceiling.
Moriarty said small halogen lights are popular, particularly focused task lighting. Some homeowners are still reluctant to switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, but they can still save some energy by switching from traditional incandescent bulbs to halogen.
Steve Graham is a Fort Collins freelance writer.
Photo:
Jeffrey K. Abrams Architect P.C. in Boulder worked with Champion Construction to remodel this entire Golden residence. To meet the needs of the homeowners, the house was transformed from a walkout ranch into a luxurious Country French home. Photos by Don Senia Murray of Don Murray Photography.
