From a shift towards more lighthearted fun to increasing the usability of smart technology, home designs continue to develop year after year. We take a look at some of the expected building and design trends in the upcoming new year below.
Countertops from “Sintered” Stone
With the latest technology processes, a new countertop material is quickly moving in as the current favorite– “sintered” stone surfaces. These countertops are made from a combination of minerals, forming a surface that can’t be scratched, burned, or even stained. When utilized in a kitchen, this makes the new marble-resembling Dekton and Neolith countertops especially attractive. They can even be used in outdoor kitchens due to their ability to withstand cracking and damage in extreme heat or cold. With many kitchen designs trending to larger and larger countertop spaces, the Dekton and Neolith options are also attractive to home designers because they have fewer seams.
Customization for Cozier Spaces
Many homeowners who went through the COVID-19 pandemic grew an appreciation for a home that wasn’t just beautiful and artistically designed, but cozy and comfortable as well. With many more professionals working from home full or part-time, the desire to have a space that exudes comfort and warmth has grown in home design.
While homes have always been designed to provide a respite for people, recent years saw a movement towards more minimalism and less personalization. Now, we are seeing a shift back towards more welcoming and playful environments, from wallpaper on the ceilings to pastel wall colors and ‘60s lounge-style decor to spaces that exude the personality of the homeowner.
Continued Rise of the Home Office
Over the last few years, the number of people working from home has grown exponentially. Before, a home office was treated as a secondary space for work, not a primary one. With modern work environment changes, many people opt to work primarily, if not full time from their own homes. This makes it all the more important that there be a designated and functional home office space.
Whether a home office will serve as the only work area or a hybrid format, design aspects are trending towards making a more functional space. More and more designs are including an area with natural light if possible, whether from outdoor window views or glass-walled spaces.
“Smarter” Smart Home Technology
There is no doubt that technology impacts overall home building and design. With increased accessibility to smart technology, smart home design trends include everything from antimicrobial tile flooring to electric vehicle charging stations in garages. While these devices are becoming more affordable and accessible, they aren’t always the easiest for homeowners to operate efficiently or in concordance with one another, defeating the whole purpose of having “smart” technology in the home. Additionally, homeowners can expect improved interoperability with devices such as smart switches and thermostats, lights, and more, with smart home gadgets becoming even simpler to use and more streamlined.
Expanding Backyard Fun
Just like the renewed home office focus, the more time people spent at home following the pandemic, the more focus shifted towards making the backyard fun and functional. Many homeowners are opting for improving the usability of outdoor spaces to extend the overall footprint of the home, whether it be an outdoor kitchen and dining area or recreational zone. One game that has seemingly taken the country is pickleball, with many homeowners opting to add their own personal pickleball courts. This is just one example of outdoor designs shifting towards fun and functionality in addition to aesthetics. Other outdoor improvements include synthetic turf and drought-resistant landscaping for reduced water usage and outdoor entertainment spaces.
Zero Emission Homes
While eco-friendly and sustainable building designs have been around for a while, the trend continues to grow and even gain speed, with many builders moving towards designs with zero emissions. This is the ultimate goal for many in the green movement–homes that have net-zero emissions.
Not only is it attractive to have a sustainable property for the sake of the planet, but many homeowners also see the appeal in cutting down on their expenses over the years. With inflation continuing to loom and surging energy costs, having a property that is designed with optimal energy efficiency in mind is ideal.
