Home design trends are always changing to meet the market’s demand. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent, you want a space that combines beauty and functionality. From the countertops to the flooring, high-end finishes make a home look and feel luxurious. Here are 13 luxury home finishes to consider when house hunting.
1. Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is considered the apex of premium quality flooring. Wood brings warmth to any home, regardless of style. Different types of hardwood flooring options make for great luxury home finishes. Each type has a unique look and offers unique benefits. Solid hardwood, bamboo, and engineered wood are some of the most popular hardwood flooring options.
Solid hardwood flooring is unique in that it’s made from one solid piece of wood. It’s available in a variety of hardwoods, including maple, cherry, and oak. This type of hardwood flooring is a great choice if you want the classic look of hardwood and are ready to invest in a durable and long-lasting option.
Engineered hardwood flooring is constructed from several layers of wood, with a hardwood veneer on top. Compared to solid hardwood, this type of flooring is sturdy. It’s also an ideal choice for rooms such as the basement, which experience high levels of moisture.
Bamboo flooring is a type of hardwood flooring that’s manufactured from bamboo stalks. This type of flooring is a great choice if you desire an eco-friendly option for your flooring. It’s also durable and easy to maintain, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas. Hardwood floors are a great fit for living rooms, dining rooms, a home office, a master suite, and a den.
2. Marble Countertops
A timeless and opulent material, marble adds sophistication and elegance to every setting, making it a top choice for luxury home finishes. The most common applications of marble are kitchen and bathroom countertops. This material offers several benefits when used in a home.
Marble is a solid, durable stone that’s resistant to heat, stains, and scratches. This makes it ideal for high-traffic areas like the kitchen, where heat exposure and spills are common. The stone’s unique veining and color variations give it depth and character, making it an aesthetically stunning addition to a home.
Marble is also easy to clean as it’s non-porous. This means that it doesn’t absorb spills which can trigger the growth and spread of bacteria. It’s also easy to clean and maintain, making it a sanitary option for kitchens.
A marble countertop also increases a home’s resale value by adding a touch of sophistication and luxury. This makes it a great choice if you plan to sell at some point in the future. You’ll just need to make sure to keep up with its maintenance. Marble countertops make for a beautiful and practical finish to any home. Whether you want an opulent material for your kitchen or a gorgeous highlight for your bathroom, marble is a flexible and classic material that’ll last for years to come.
3. Quartzite Countertops
When house hunting, pay close attention to countertops as they significantly affect the interior design and atmosphere of the space. Quartzite countertops are a common choice for luxury home finishes. They are popular for their beauty, versatility, and durability.
This natural stone is metamorphosed from sandstone, which makes it stronger and improves its stain and scratch-resistant capabilities. Quartzite is also heat resistant. That’s why this stone is often used in high-traffic areas such as kitchens where food prep is frequent and hot pans, and pots are constantly placed on the countertop.
Quartzite countertops are also great as they complement most interior home designs. Not only does quartzite look great, but it also has minimal maintenance needs. All you need is soap and water for routine cleaning. Quartzite countertops are the perfect combination of functionality, durability, and beauty.
4. Granite Countertops
You may be wondering what all the hype around granite countertops is about. With a wide variety of natural stones to choose from, granite seems to always come out on top. Well, it offers a number of benefits.
Granite is literally rock-hard. Its tough surface won’t chip, scratch, or break even after decades of use. Even during the manufacturing process, this stone requires steel-cutting lasers to slice through it and section it into slabs; it’s that strong. With this stone, you won’t have to stress about rowdy kids or intoxicated adults ruining your countertops when you’re entertaining; granite’s durability is guaranteed.
This surface is resistant not only to chips and scratches but also to heat, stains, and moisture. Because granite is a porous stone, sealing is necessary to make it stain-resistant. Each year, you’ll need to reapply the sealant, but this is a comparatively small task compared to the protection against wine and coffee spills that are sure to occur during your tenancy.
You also don’t have to worry about setting hot pans down on your countertops, as they won’t warp. If they can take the heat, moisture is definitely not going to be a problem. You can wipe up spills as soon as they occur, and your granite countertops won’t be discolored or damaged in the process.
Keeping spaces such as the kitchens and bathrooms clean is likely a priority for you, and granite countertops make this easy. One of the most notable advantages of this material is how easy it is to clean. All you need is a mild cleaner like dish soap and a lint-free soft cloth to clean this surface
5. Fieldstone
Fieldstone comes in a variety of forms, from flat slabs to bulky natural bricks. Originally, these stones were pulled out of the ground to increase the productivity of agricultural land. Today, these stones are often used as garden accents or in the façade of a home. It’s also common to see this material used in a retaining wall installation.
In interiors, this stone makes for a great accent wall. Fieldstone instantly adds warmth and a touch of luxury to a space. When properly finished, it creates a stunning look that exudes luxury. This type of finish is both attractive and reasonably priced.
6. Copper Finishes
Even though it can be pricey, copper is making a comeback. Copper is a versatile material that instantly introduces luxury to a space. However, using actual copper isn’t always practical, so don’t shy away from copper-colored finishes instead. A simple splash of color from a drawer handle or oven hood vent will instantly improve the aesthetics of your space.
7. Hardscapes
A hardscape patio makes for a functional and aesthetically pleasing addition to any home and is a common choice for luxury home finishes. It offers a flat, durable surface where you can enjoy outdoor activities such as entertaining, dining, grilling, and entertaining in general. Hardscape patios are usually made from materials such as natural stone, concrete, or pavers, which can withstand all weather conditions when installed by professional paving contractors.
A hardscape patio also adds to the aesthetic appeal of a home, which also increases a home’s value. This will come in handy if you decide to sell in the future. This feature will also help define and organize your outdoor living space, making it easier to create distinct zones for different activities. For example, you can create a separate section for your cooking area, complete with a countertop and grill, a dining area with chairs and tables, and a lounge area with comfortable seating.
This feature also offers a way to seamlessly extend your indoor living space. If you’re the type of person who enjoys spending time outdoors, a hardscape patio will provide the spot for just that. A fence installed by a professional fence contractor goes well with this feature.
8. Window Treatments
Window treatments such as solar shades are also a common choice for luxury home finishes. These shades not only add style to a space but also make it more energy efficient. By blocking the rays of the sun during the warmest months of the year, solar shades regulate the indoor temperature in a home. They also control light and add a layer of privacy, making for a great addition to any home.
9. Gold Fixtures
Gold fixtures take a bathroom and kitchen’s aesthetics to a whole new level, making them a common choice for luxury home finishes. These complement more vibrant apartment themes and introduce a splash of color to minimalist decor designs. The vibrant warm hue of gold fixtures provides a welcome contrast to the chilly nature of steel.
Well-placed gold accents can instantly transform an apartment or home space into a hub of luxury and taste. To match any style, gold accents are available in matte and satin finishes. If you’re going to use a minimalistic design approach for your space, consider adding gold fixtures.
10. Fireplaces
A fireplace is common for luxury home finishes. Whether it’s a traditional brick fireplace, a wood-burning stove, or a modern gas fireplace, a fireplace is a great addition to any home. A fireplace is more than just a source of heat; it can add a warm and welcoming atmosphere to any home. A fireplace also makes for a great focal point. This finish is also known to increase a home’s value, which is important if you’re looking to sell at some point in the future.
Fireplaces also offer an eco-friendly heating option as it burns renewable fuels, such as wood, rather than non-renewable fossil fuels, such as oil or gas. The fact that fireplaces may operate as an additional source of heat during power outages makes them a sensible and dependable feature to look out for. From the crackle of burning logs and the sparkle of embers to the scent of wood smoke, you’ll enjoy having a fireplace in your home.
11. Metal Roofing
A metal roof is a common choice for luxury home finishes for a number of reasons. Homes that are situated in regions that experience strong winds, hail, and other extreme weather events benefit from metal roofing, but only when installed by professional roofing companies. By reflecting the heat of the sun and lowering the amount of heat your home absorbs throughout the summer, metal roofing keeps a home cool. Metal roofing also offers an insulating barrier that can keep your house warm during the winter. This means that you’ll be using your HVAC system less, which will lower your energy bills.
Most roofing materials require routine repair and maintenance. Metal roofing, on the other hand, has minimal maintenance needs; it’s virtually maintenance-free. It’s resistant to corrosion, fading, and rust and only needs soap and water for cleaning.
12. Steel and Glass
Steel and Glass Glass and steel are a popular combination in high-end residences and apartments all around the world. These two materials have an air of grandeur about them, and when combined, they make for a sleek and modern look. They also complement other construction materials like stone and wood, making them easier to design around.
Steel and glass are also long-lasting. They can be used for many years before needing replacement. They’re also energy-efficient, which translates to lower energy bills and a lower carbon footprint.
13. Tile
Tile is a common choice for luxury home finishes. The value of a tile is raised based on the installation difficulty. Porcelain tile offers a high-end aesthetic at an affordable price, while marble tile is regarded as the pinnacle of luxury and is more expensive. Concrete tiles recently joined the premium category due to their sleek and modern aesthetic.
As you house hunt, keep in mind that the next place you move into is going to be part of the next chapter of your life story. So as you look for a home that has all the utilities, amenities, and services, such as septic pumping, which you’ll surely need, don’t forget about the aesthetics. You should enjoy looking at the place you call home. Consider these 13 luxury home finishes on your next house hunting adventure.