Hot home design trends have evolved
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), more than one million new homes likely will be sold in 2005 alone. And like any other hot-selling product, trends in home design and construction evolve with time. Today, according to experts, the most dominant design trend in the marketplace has homeowners seeking flexibility and options that fit with their lifestyle, whether they are buying their first home or looking for an active-adult community.
Twenty-first century buyers are looking for a home that is planned for the way they live, including space that’s personal and conducive to relaxation and amenities that help homeowners simplify and streamline. (In fact, many of the features that average homebuyers want today were once only standard in luxury homes.) Americans continue to be drawn to larger homes with more conveniences, and appreciate extensive storage space, including expansive closets and built-in bookshelves, located throughout the house.
According to consumers and experts alike, today’s living spaces should strike a balance between spaciousness and intimacy. High ceilings and windows remain popular, while finishes such as Brazilian cherry floors, tufted materials on the wall or antique bricks can provide warmth and texture. Alcoves, nooks and niches provide emotional detail and add utility to space; for example, a water fountain can be recessed in a back hall to provide an interesting addition to a previously unused area.
While preference leans toward family rooms flowing into large kitchens, with the rooms visually divided by a half-wall, separate dining rooms are still a favorite among new home buyers — families often feel that the dining room is where important memories are made. However, continuing a trend identified in previous studies, many buyers indicate that a separate living room is unnecessary.
Aside from the main living areas, there is growing interest from buyers and builders in specialty spaces including laundry rooms, mud rooms and garages. After the laundry room, which 92 percent of respondents in a recent NAHB survey felt was desirable in a new home, the home office remains the most popular specialty room, followed closely by the sun room, media room and exercise room.
Obviously, homebuyers also are looking for an exterior that is as beautiful and well-designed as the interior. Today’s most popular exterior designs tend to be reflective of traditional European and American precedents and primarily are finished with brick, stucco or vinyl siding. The most popular exterior features continue to be those that are conducive to entertaining or outdoor bonding with family and friends: front porches, patios and decks.
Whether outdoors or indoors, the design and construction of today’s homes reflect the lifestyles and needs of individual families.