Kathleen Finnegan

Style watch – 6 design trends you’ll see more of

This past year I’ve helped a number of buyers get into “fixer” properties with the intention of creating their dream home. I found this article interesting; because it mirrors many of the must have features  my clients were looking for.

Builder Online recently spoke to executive director at architecture firm KTGY, about the design trends that are gaining popularity in the new-home market this year and below are a list of upcoming trends in building remodels:

Private space

Baby boomers, empty nesters, and Gen Yers are showing a preference for homes that have more private outdoor spaces, straying from the traditional “public” backyard, according to surveys. One way some builders are fulfilling this desire is by positioning the home’s architecture strategically around the outdoor space to enclose it more and allow it to be more open to the interior living spaces. They also are creating more covered outdoor spaces.

The “Super Kitchen”

Besides being a place for cooking, the kitchen is also the entertainment/conversation area in a home. Open-kitchen layouts have continued to grow in popularity, putting kitchens more front-and-center and visibly exposed to other areas of the house. Kitchen islands are offering extra seating and prep space while larger pantries are offering greater storage. “As the hub, it becomes a consumer’s dream to design these elements together with function, practicality, and flair,” the designers say.

Bigger Media Hubs

More home owners are looking for a place for their large flat-screen television. Larger television sizes are prompting more builders to realize the need for greater wall space to hang the televisions and larger entertainment rooms to accommodate more seating.

Larger Garage Spaces

If home owners had their way, garages wouldn’t be just for parking the cars. More home owners want spaces for hobbies and storage, and builders are taking notice by creating larger garages for multi-use purposes.

Home Offices

An office and den space is becoming a bigger desire among home buyers, and the location of it in the home is becoming increasingly important. Placing the home office off the entry is no longer considered the most practical location for it, but builders are experimenting with moving it closer to the “living” area, such as off the kitchen or the family room.

Two Homes in One

As multigenerational living gains popularity, builders are responding by carving out more separate spaces for several generations to live together. For example, some builders are offering semi-independent suites with separate entries, bathrooms, and kitchenettes.

Thanks for reading! If you are interested in buying or selling a home or know of someone, I would be happy to help. I’m never to busy for your referrals!

Thank you!

K

This entry was posted on Friday, September 26th, 2014 at 11:42 am and is filed under Design Trends. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.