Home Design Trends
photo: concord carpenter
Home Construction and Remodeling Trends
These past five years have shown certain home design trends. Consumers desire for less maintenance and more specific use of space. The following are a few of these trends :
Increased ceiling heights:
Increased heights to 8 or 9 feet on the main floor, and a shift away from the two-story great room to more effective use of second-floor space. 8 or 9 ceilings on the main level make a house feel larger, even when the lot size requires shrinking the footprint.
Photo: concord carpenter – Concord project; pvc trim and decking.
Low Maintenance Exterior:
Products like hardi board or PVC trim materials are becoming more popular.
Image: www.decorpad.com
Bigger Laundry Rooms:
Many people are also installing their laundry rooms on the second floor. This is usually where the bedrooms are and where you change in and out of your dirty clothes.
Photo: Concord Carpenter: stone foundation and steps, blue stone walkway
Use of natural materials inside and outside the home:
Materials such as stone, ceramic tile, brick, and wood, are making a strong appearance throughout the home. While the average production house once featured wall-to-wall carpeting, more homes today are being built with hardwood floors in the living, dining, and family rooms and the entryway.
Source: lh4.ggpht.com
“Me” spaces and alcoves:
Small enclaves where family members can be alone, such as a computer niche or reading nook.
Source:audiovideointeriors.com
Home office, media rooms or multi-purpose rooms:
The “formal” living room has fallen off and the increase in “special” rooms, such as home offices and media rooms. study or a home office and close it off from the rest of the house.
Technology advances:
It’s common today for builders to prewire an entire house for everything from high-speed Internet access and surround sound stereo to central vacuum systems and lighting controls.
Installing Category-5 (Ethernet) wiring in homes is now the norm. The wiring allows for transmission of phone, data, and TV signals. Advanced technology is coming on strong in the kitchen with such appliances as stoves that refrigerate, cook, and hold food warm. A strong trend toward advanced lighting controls that can turn on lights at different times of day. Computerized security systems are becoming more common as well.
Outdoor living has increased tremendously:
The outdoor fireplace is back!!! Outdoor living and entertaining has expanded to include complete outdoor rooms, covered areas with summer kitchens on large covered patios, featuring built-in grills, sinks, and beverage centers. Also seen are more pools, with waterfall Jacuzzis and koi ponds, summer kitchens, outdoor TV with surround sound, and fountain effects in the pool area.
While decks and patios are still strong in this region, the screened porch has gained renewed prominence with increased concerns about mosquito-borne illnesses and are showing up more and more in home design trends.
Source: Builder Magazine- Pat Curry
