If there’s one theme that runs through this year’s Professional Remodeler Design Awards, presented this month, it’s practical.
After years of seeing over-the-top remodels that, frankly, didn’t always make a lot of sense (does anyone really need a $250,000 bathroom?), it’s a refreshing change.
During the last dozen years that I’ve been judging and covering industry awards, I always felt a little uncomfortable with the image we were putting forward with the winners. After all, even during the boom, it was only a small portion of remodelers that were doing the big, flashy projects.
This trend toward needs-based also is positive in another way: It’s a more sustainable market. During the boom, the growth in remodeling was being driven by an incredibly small portion of homeowners. That’s a dangerous way to build any industry.
Here are four trends that emerged from this year’s awards:
We also asked the judges for their opinions on trends, as well as for tips on putting together a winning project. Go to HousingZone.com/PRDesignVideos [1] to see their thoughts and advice.
Links:
[1] http://HousingZone.com/PRDesignVideos
[2] http://images.housingzone.com/cdn/farfuture/9XBLlxfn-UUuGSrFXjefAfG1PpGHsjYmRVEyKNjkVR8/mtime:1311624539/sites/default/files/imagefield_default_images/default_article_image_0.gif
[3] http://images.housingzone.com/cdn/farfuture/fDXFsQbqI1fHJGGYzrEsOHHTej2TzuXJz4v17cxQEYU/mtime:1311624539/sites/default/files/imagefield_default_images/default_slideshow_2.gif