3 renovation trends changing the game in 2018

When you're getting ready to sell, you could be faced with a harsh truth: your property simply isn't fashionable anymore.

If you've been living in your little slice of Surfer's Paradise property for decades and are now looking to sell to downsize or otherwise move on, it's possible that it's been quite some time since your home received a facelift. Simple renovations can be made before you sell in order to bring your property back into the 21st century and improve the value of your home.

That said, it is possible to overcapitalise on renovations and end up making a loss. In order to avoid this, pay attention to the current renovation trends to know what's popular in 2018.

1. Invest in vibrant colours

Turning the past few years of neutral tones their heads, 2018 is all about saturated colour – especially in the kitchen.

Homeowners are gravitating toward colour in everything from kitchen appliances, backsplashes, basins, cabinetry and walls. This is all about creating a sense of warmth – building a cocoon in our home out of moody colours, says international colour consultant Joa Studholme.

"We're sort of surrounding ourselves with comfort, and one of the ways we're doing it is through colour to make our homes feel sort of nurturing and tender," says Studholme. "Instead of coming into clean, white houses, we're going into homes that sort of give us a hug."

Fresh paint can quickly revive your property and choosing comforting, vibrant colours will ensure your decor is modern and desirable. That said, always consider talking to a colour consultant before branching out into really unique colours.

2. Express yourself in your renovations

Expressing personality in your interior design can seem risky. If your tastes don't match the public's, then can you home ever sell? Of course it can.

While there are popular ideas about what's fashionable, every person has their own unique taste and that's what this 2018 renovation trend is all about. This year, homeowners are rejecting conformity to any particular interior look and welcoming individuality and personal authenticity.

This idea is a Japanese approach called "wabi-sabi", meaning "embracing imperfection" and has been named the design trend of 2018 by Vogue, MyDomaine and Elle Decor. The key to making imperfection work for you is to find the beauty in it – use flawed, natural materials, showcase that bowl you glued back together, and don't worry about your mismatched chairs. Whoever is buying your home wants to know that someone lived there happily and comfortably – and that they can too. Wabi-sabi shows this.

3. Sustainable and smart innovation

Introducing new technologies into your home's fittings instantly creates more than just a modern look – it engenders a futuristic experience.

Smart technologies include automatic light sensors, intelligent smoke alarms and app-enabled solar energy panels. While they certainly can make life easier, the major draw for a lot of potential home buyers will be projected savings on power and carbon emissions. In fact, 81 per cent of people are more likely to buy a home that's already equipped with smart technology, according to CNET. Meanwhile, energy efficiency is the driving force behind 68 per cent of consumers purchasing smart technology, says Scripps Networks Interactive.

Including sustainable, intelligent solutions in your home shows that your property is not only convenient and comfortable, but will provide longer-term security and sustainability for your buyer.

Selling your home isn't easy – especially if you've lived there for a long time. The team at Ray White Surfers Paradise are available to help prepare you and your home for the market – simply reach out to us today to find out how.