Creating the Right Home for You
If you google “home design trends in 2014” you will get a bevy of articles from “experts” describing the new trends. We have seen everything from “navy is the new big trend” to “it’s all about black and white”. Vintage, transitional, modern mash-up and so on. Our view is always the same and that is a home is a reflection of your tastes, your life story, your needs and your budget.
In residential architecture here are some of the things that are trending for 2014…
A Retreat
More and more we are seeing clients wanting to create a tranquil place to get away from the activity and relax. This trend is seen particularly in bathroom designs which are overall larger and contain more features seen in luxury hotels. Things like steam showers, heated floors and large tubs are common.
The Center of it All
Historically the kitchen was built in the back of the house, attached to the garage for easy access and hidden away. For some time the kitchen has been increasingly the focal point of the home. The kitchen is a part of the entertaining and family engagement activity of the home. More and more we see the kitchen in the center of an open floor plan. Finally we are seeing more and more the “chef” experience in kitchens, which are designed to optimize functionality and beauty with custom islands, and professional grade appliances.
Passive Homes
The Passive House concept represents today's highest energy standard with the promise of slashing the heating energy consumption of buildings by an amazing 90%. Energy consumption and cost is increasingly a concern and in fact there are almost no instances where reducing energy costs are not a part of remodeling or custom home design and build.
Passive home elements include things like windows, walls, and floors designed in such a way to collect, store, and distribute solar energy in the form of heat during the winter and reject solar heat during the summer months. Some passive solar homes are heated almost entirely by the sun, while others are designed with south-facing windows which provide some fraction of the heating load.
Flex or Bonus Rooms
Between the recession and the growing number of senior citizens in the United States, more households are becoming multigenerational. That change is leading to a developing trend in home building – flex rooms. Flex or bonus rooms are designed to give more privacy to larger families and usually include a separate space such as a reading area or study off the main bedroom area. These rooms may also be built with a change in mind as children grow a playroom may become a media room. Many flex spaces include a private entrance, which could later become a rental unit.
Overall trends are consistent with clients playing a more active role in the design of their home so that it meets their current needs and future needs. Homeowners are largely more educated but also need experts to help them identify and weigh options to achieve the right balance.
So our trend prediction for 2014 is make it your own, and we can help! Call us today to discuss your dream home at (508) 881-7992.