Luxury San Antonio Real Estate: 10 Design Trends You’ll See in 2016

Whether you are considering investing in San Antonio luxury real estate, or you already own an upscale home in a premier neighborhood like Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, or Cordillera Ranch, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what’s new in upscale interior design this year.

Bold colors in the kitchen pair with extra-deep drawers to blend form with function, while sleek, modern metallics are making surprise cameos in unexpected places. Powder rooms become pallets for inspired designers, while form meets function when outdoor fabrics come indoors. Blue is the color of the year, transforming bedrooms, dining rooms and hallways into warm, inviting and sophisticated spaces.

Here’s what you need to know about the top 10 hottest 2016 design trends across the San Antonio luxury real estate market :

1. Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen is the heart of any home, making kitchen renovations a popular project among San Antonio luxury real estate aficionados. This year, mixing white or light-colored upper kitchen cabinets with richly-colored, dark lower cabinets is poised to be a popular choice among design-savvy homeowners.

White upper cabinets help keep the kitchen light and inviting, while darker lower units exude luxury and confident styling. Look for deep wood tones and sleek, polished chrome shades to be used in the lower units, with drawer pulls and hardware being used as an element to bridge the contrasting colors between the uppers and lowers.

2. Deep Kitchen Pull-Outs & Drawers Replacing Shelves

Thanks to the influx of smart storage solutions in the kitchen, traditional lower cabinet shelves are being replaced with deep, easy-to-use drawers and pull-out pantry units. These over-sized drawers are the perfect solution for storing deep pots, small appliances, glasses and plates, eliminating the frustration of dealing with misplaced lids and overstuffed shelves.

Look for innovative products like plate holders, dividers and custom-made mounts that transform deep drawers into a blissfully organized cabinet. Other high-end drawer features include soft no-slam closing hardware, and clever custom options for adding deep drawers around awkward spaces like range tops, kitchen sinks and corners.

3. Specialty Appliances

Nothing says luxury like a kitchen filled with commercial-grade specialty appliances. Items like warming drawers, steam ovens and sleek induction cook tops top the list of must-haves among San Antonio luxury real estate owners who want to transform their kitchen into a culinary dream come true.

Items like high-end cappuccino makers, dual convection ovens and restaurant-style vent hoods top that incorporate modern design with practical, day-to-day functionality will be popular choices for homeowners who want to update their kitchens in 2016. Polished stainless steel leads the way in terms of appliance finishes this year, providing a luxurious look without the high maintenance associated with high-gloss stainless steel appliances.

4. Outdoor Fabric Comes Indoors

Outdoor fabrics have come a long way in the last few years, evolving from those cheap, plastic-y coverings into luxurious, soft and durable fabrics that combine excellent wear-ability with premium patterns and trend-setting colors.

In 2016, look for the lines between indoor and outdoor fabrics to be blurred, with many San Antonio luxury real estate owners opting to cover their high-traffic furnishing like kitchen stools and rec room chairs with kid-friendly fashionable outdoor fabrics. Choose one or two feature pieces that can serve as the focal point in the room, and seek out natural, conservative prints that distinguish themselves from the traditional oversized stripes and bold colors used in many outdoor fabrics.

5. Big, Bold Tiles

Kitchens and bathroom design trends for 2016 include generous use of big, bold tiles that seem larger than life. How large? Designers are showcasing tiles measuring upwards of 12 by 24 inches in spaces previously populated by small, compact tiles, such as on the back splash in the kitchen, in powder rooms and walk-in shower stalls.

Other spaces where these over-sized tiles are poised to shine include on fireplace surrounds, laundry rooms and cabanas, where their generous proportions introduce a refreshing, and often unexpected, touch of modern sophistication.

6. Unexpected Countertop and Backsplash Pairings

Trend-spotters are predicting that 2016 is the year when San Antonio luxury real estate owners will incorporate unexpected, eye-catching combinations of countertops and backsplashes that make use of different materials and colors to achieve a truly one-of-a-kind, high-end look and feel.

Consider mixing brick-faced backsplashes with polished concrete countertops for a casual, urban feel, or pair polished granite with bamboo for the perfect blend of natural warmth and durability. Look to innovative materials like stainless steel, wood and boldly-colored tiles to make an appearance in many elite-level homes this year.

7. Rich Blues Dominate Color Palates in 2016

Dark blue is the go-to color for 2016, providing designers with a wealth of options when it comes to incorporating this relaxing, natural tone into any decor. To make a bold statement, consider creating a deep, cobalt-blue feature wall in the great room, dining room or entryway, while those who prefer a more subtle look can integrate navy-blue soft goods like throw cushions, draperies and floor coverings.

8. Oversized Bathroom Mirrors

One of the quickest ways to bring any bathroom up to date is by swapping out the mirror, and this year, statement mirrors are being used to make a big impact in small spaces. Look for large, wood-framed, backlit, or vintage-inspired mirrors to make a statement in luxury power rooms and bathrooms throughout San Antonio, where these decor essentials are being used as both the focal point and a practical tool to introduce light and visual interest.

9. Powerful Powder Room Wall Coverings

Power rooms provide San Antonio luxury real estate owners with the perfect canvas upon which to experiment with bold prints, stunning textures and even custom-made wall coverings. 2016 is poised to be the year when power rooms take center stage, with designers turning heads with bold wall coverings in these compact spaces. Look for textured wallpapers to lead the way with this 2016 design trend.

10. Modern Metallics

The indisputable must-have design element for 2016 is metallics - glamorous, sophisticated and eye-catching, these luxurious tones add class and contrast to any space. Look for metallics to make an appearance in every room of the home, such as copper-colored lamp shades in the kitchen, gold-toned accent pieces in the dining room, and a touch of silver in the bedroom linens.

This year, look for metallics to be mixed-and-matched, unlike in previous years when designers advocated monotone metallics.

There are so many decorating options when it comes to the abundant square footage in luxury homes, and 2016 is offering new ideas and exciting trends.  No matter which one you choose, it will be sure to please.

Thinking of upgrading your San Antonio home?  Speak to a lender to find out what your options are.