New Home Trends

Today's consumer is focused on simplicity, efficiency and practicality. Gone are the days of the McMansion, today's homebuyer wants an affordable home with a modest footprint. Our architects and designers have put together a list of popular home design trends:

Simple architecture is the order of the day as homeowners look to create interior spaces with natural finishes, clean lines and minimal accents and embellishments. The exterior structure is favoring basic geometry because it is easier and more affordable to frame, heat, cool and maintain.

The average house size continues to shrink with consumers seeking homes between 2,400 to 2,800 square feet. This trend of course is driven by cost and practicality as homeowners seek homes that meet their needs and budget.

Health-conscious homeowners are starting to see their homes as part of the wellness equation, right in stride with exercise and eating right. Buyers continue to be pay attention to green details such as low-VOC paints, stains and sealants, along with cabinets and furniture made with natural products such as hay, wheat, eucalyptus, bamboo and aspen. HVAC systems that improve indoor air quality and are energy efficient top the list for economizing, as well as water efficient bath fixtures like faucets, toilets and showerheads. ENERGY STAR® appliances and lighting fixtures have almost become a standard rather than a trend. The trend perhaps is in the design and style of today's efficiency products.

While smaller homes are certainly in demand, there's still a need for flexible homes with plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms because of multigenerational homes and extended families. Multigenerational households are popular as kids continue to stay at home, elderly parents need care and young families need grandparents to care for their children while they work. Sure, smaller homes typically cost less than large ones, but they're not nearly as economical as a shared mortgage and a household where everyone pitches in.

The kitchen remains the heart of the home. In fact its flexible and open design is transforming it into the ultimate gathering place. Even as the footprint of new home construction shrinks, the size of the kitchen will not as consumers seek a multi-functional place to interact with family and friends. You'll find a trend in "invisible appliances" were the doors will blend with the cabinetry to create a unified kitchen décor.

Having an organized home, especially as it gets smaller, is essential. Look for easy-to-install closet organization systems and stylish bins and baskets to pop up around the home. Seating that doubles as storage is part of this emerging trend.

Although granite is still the number one choice for countertops, watch for an array of interesting products like Butcher block tops, poured concrete, glass and aluminum to find their way in the kitchen. The bottom line is that homeowners are craving products that reflect their individuality and make their life easier.