Is your house very 1970s? Are you stuck in the last decade? Do you know you need an update but aren't sure what to do to make your home look stylish and fresh as a daisy?





Well, the folks at Houzz – a website made up of a community of more than 40 million homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals from around the world – have looked carefully at the trends that are…well, uh….trending for the new year, and have compiled a list of the most happenin' crazes for 2019.





So, if you're looking to make some changes, here's a short list of what's hot and what's not.





A Tiled “Feature” Wall in the Kitchen 





While we've gotten used to "accent walls" in other rooms, created by adding a particularly bold color to just one wall, 2019 brings us to accent walls in the kitchen, achieved with tile. So, instead of just having a tile backsplash behind the sink, stove, and/or cabinets, the trend is to do the ENTIRE wall in tile, all the way from the countertops to the ceiling.





And we're not just talking white subway tile here. It might have a bold pattern, a shimmer, or some sort of raised texture that really makes it stand out. Geometrics are popular too as are designs that reflect interesting patterns like those from India or perhaps Morocco.





In addition, the nice thing about making a tile wall is that it can be done relatively inexpensively if you shop around for affordable but attractive tile.





Cream-Colored Cabinets





Last year's go-to cabinet color was sort of a gun-metal gray. This year, it's a much brighter tone that pairs wonderfully with a variety of other colors. Cream – or off-white – cabinets are the trend in 2019, and they make the room feel much warmer than traditional stark, bright whites. Furthermore, they match just about anything and look great with lots of different wood tones, with stainless steel appliances, and with a variety of décor accents, like cabinet knobs or pulls in brass, nickel, or other metallic tones.





In addition, the cream color looks suitable for just about any decor style you choose, from modern to traditional to farmhouse-inspired kitchens.











Destination Bathtubs 





This one is just plain fun but requires some extra space. Those with room to do it are taking their large freestanding tubs and putting them someplace other than the bathroom, giving it a destination of its very own. A popular place to put it is in an enclosed area just off the bathroom or master bedroom, surrounded by plants and other fixtures that take you away to someplace else as you bask in the warmth of the water.





Putting a huge tub elsewhere also keeps it out of the way during daily morning routines when more than one of you may be tripping over each other in the bathroom, and because you won't likely use it on a regular basis, you probably won't miss having it in the main bath area.





Painted Shiplap 





Thanks to Joanna Gaines of HGTV's Fixer Upper, shiplap has become a household word. Gaines loves doing projects with shiplap – which gets its name from the wood originally used to construct the hull of a ship – and she's made it quite popular as a home décor must-have during the last few years.





But before this year, most homeowners were using it in its natural state. This year, the trend is to paint it in perhaps gray or some shade of blue. It can be used in the bathroom, family room, or just about any space where homeowner's want that rustic look.





Mixing Fabrics 





No longer do you need to have all leather couches and chairs in the living room or everything done in the same upholstery fabric. Now, designers are promoting the mixture of various fabrics and eclectic patterns for today's living room, family room, and any other room in the house where there's room for lots of furniture.





Just about anything goes. You can pair shiny leather or fabrics with a sheen with soft textured upholstery, funky wallpapers, deep-piled rugs. As a matter of fact, the more comfy and cozy-looking the better, the experts say. The trend is moving away from modern, not-so-comfortable pieces to others that provide you a place to relax after a long, busy day.











Matching Ceiling, Walls, and Trim 





While tile walls may be "in" in the kitchen, the accent wall in other living areas is passé. Now, homeowners are using the same paint for their ceilings, walls, and even their trim. No longer is it necessary to do white or off-white trim and ceiling, say the experts. However, if you are choosing a dark-ish color, remember that the room will be much darker than with a white ceiling, so plan accordingly by using light-colored furnishings and window treatments.





Voice-Assisted Appliances 





If you're old enough to remember the Jetsons or the "modern" family in Disney's Carousel of Progress, you've probably dreamed about voice-assisted appliances. And they're here





With tools like Alexa and Google Home, more and more voice assistants can integrate with home appliances, so you can tell them to turn on your oven to 350 degrees at 4 p.m.  Seems unbelievable, especially to those of us born before 1980  For one example, check out Amazon's new microwave, which allows you to use their Echo device to reheat, defrost or microwave your desired cook time and power level, according to the company's description of the product.





Houzz and a variety of other home décor websites offer many more trends for 2019. If you're thinking of updating before selling, also ask your realtor what trends seem to be helping sale prices in your area and plan accordingly. Realtors not only sell houses but can help with a variety of other buying- and selling-related topics, including what updates will get you the most bang for your buck.