When prospective builders and remodelers plan their project many of them review styles and practices relevant to the newest trends on the present market. However, fewer look ahead to what might be the style in a few years from now. Because today's hot trend may be the “orange shag carpet” of 2012.

If you are building your dream home and plan to live there for ten or more years it doesn't really matter what you do because it is too far in the future to worry about and the next buyers will probably want to change things. So, you might as well enjoy the fruits of your labor and let the slow, upward trend of house prices take the fear out of the “style killing a sale.”

Many people, on the other hand, either see a home as a mobile investment or are in an occupation were moving is a constant. For these homeowners selling a home is a necessity and the style should reflect where the market will go rather than where they are at now.

Where Will It Go?

Many designers equate predicting the styles like reading tea leaves. However there are a few considerations that can be applied to your quest to look forward:

1. Baby Boomers Are Retiring

What does this mean? According to 2004 statistics 70 million baby-boomers, those born between 1946 and 1944, are set to retire within the next few years. For many of this huge group it means changing both lifestyle and accommodations because their kids are long gone. They want a low-maintenance lifestyle with access to recreation and entertainment. For resellers, choose a home in a more urban, but safe, setting with close proximity to all amenities. Look for condominiums or homes on one level with low maintenance yards.

2. Wear-Free

You want to design surfaces that need little maintenance and will show as good in five years as they do now: counter tops, floors, bathrooms, walkways. Very high-quality paint in neutral colors will look as good in a few years as the day you put it on. It will also take the rigors of cleaning

3. Kitchen Styles

Remember that chocolate-brown fridge and stove in that house you bought in 1987? Did the owners get their price for the home that they wanted ?Or did you grin because of the deal you received on a dated home? If you can remember this then stay away from the bright-red enameled stoves of 2008.

Granite and stone will still be good sellers but require careful sealing. And the experts don't foresee hanging pots and pans on racks overhead returning to the fold too soon. The “clean” look will still be a safe bet.

4. Consistent Style

Match the style with the home. If the home is Spanish colonial don't rip out the interior qualities that make the characteristics just because it doesn't suit your tastes. Because the buyer down the road might be looking for that exact type of home.

5. Bathroom

Bathrooms will not change. Large, whirlpool, soaker tubs will be separate from the showers which, in turn, will feature multiple water jest and steam outlets. Big, custom tile will still be in fashion for the walls and showers because of is low maintenance: the less paint the better.

6. Accessibility

As stated earlier all amenities should be on one floor and no “lips” on the floors separating rooms. Getting into the house should be either be on the same level (no steps) or there should be a gentle ramp. Many of these inclines can be tastefully included in home design and remodeling.

7. Flooring

Well- maintained wood, cork and bamboo will always be in style as well as tile for kitchens and baths. Nicely-done concrete (patterned, polished) and good linoleum (high-end) is also a good bet. Carpet is still a safe bet today but may be iffy in 5 years. If you can stay away from it this would be the best option.

8. Extra Rooms

Some call these “bonus” rooms which can be used for exercise or hobbies.

9. Electrical

If you have an older home there might be fewer than 2 outlets in each room. This should be upgraded to at least 4 or, in a bigger room, 2 on each wall.

“Electronics closets" are popular and will be so in the future. This a cupboard where all the home entertainment equipment goes. Special sensors are built into the wall for your universal remote controls' signals to access the hidden equipment. The new televisions are flat-screened and mount right on the wall.Wireless communication is also a wave of the future but,as with cable television, it's always good to hardwire your home with CAT5 cable in case there is a problem with the wireless.

If you are building or renovating it is always a great idea to get professional opinions from home designers.