New Housing Trends

 

Home design has undergone significant changes in the last several decades as dwindling resources have forced us all to rethink how we configure the spaces in which we live.  While the “Eco-Friendly” or “Go-Green” movement has perhaps introduced the most dramatic alterations, there are several other new trends in housing design we’ll look at.  Here are some of the major trends in the design of contemporary homes:


- “Green” Homes.
- Healthy Design.
- Modular Living Spaces.
- Family Rooms.
- Spa Baths
- More Storage Space.
- Increased Accessibility.
- Outdoor Living Areas.

Green Homes

While some people equate the idea of an eco-friendly home with energy saving design concepts like solar heating, natural lighting, and energy efficient windows and insulation, a truly green home also makes extensive use of environmentally friendly building materials.  As an example, bamboo laminate floorings are exploding in popularity.  Their finish is similar to traditional hardwoods and the bamboo plant grows very fast.

Healthy Design

Once upon a time in the United States some people who had a chemical based insulation injected into the walls of their home got sick as the chemicals leached into the air.  Today, designers and builders are very careful in selecting materials to be used in eco-friendly and healthy homes.  Toxic glues and plastics are becoming a thing of the past.  Even paint has been found to contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) which contribute to indoor air pollution.  Most paint manufacturers are now producing low VOC or non-VOC paint.

Modular Living Spaces

While high end home designers maintain that luxury home buyers still want formal dining rooms and dedicated living rooms, there is a trend away from rooms like these that are used only on holidays and a few other times during the course of a year.  Instead, more home designs make use of open spaces which are then configured to suit the individual homeowner’s needs using a variety of modular wall and room dividers.

Family Rooms

Many contemporary home designs incorporate the traditional lounge room used for television viewing and relaxing into the kitchen space to create a family room or great room.  For many, food preparation and cooking are activities to be shared and enjoyed by all.  In the early days of this trend some forgot that there is still a need for areas where one can “get away from it all” for a little private time and now smaller dens, libraries, and children’s play rooms are increasing in popularity again.

Spa Baths

With the advent of whirlpool style baths in smaller sizes, the idea of a spa bath exclusively in the backyard came indoors in a big way.  Today, virtually all new home designs call for whirlpool spa baths in at least one bathroom in the home.

More Storage Space

If you’ve ever seen an original Victorian style home you have to have wondered where those people put their clothes!  Today’s designers go to the opposite extreme as walk-in closets that are bigger than some Victorian style bedrooms are common.  Bedrooms feature separate dressing areas and easy to reach cabinetry is found in many places throughout the home.  Cathedral ceilings that were once all the rage have given way to the need for storage space in second floor attics and even crawl spaces.

Increased Accessibility

Although this is still an emerging trend, architects use of “universal designs” are meant to construct homes suitable for people of all ages and abilities.  Lower cabinets, wider hallways and door entranceways, and minimal use of stairways and multi-level floor plans eliminate some of the difficulties posed by physical infirmities.  Spiral staircases and sunken living rooms may have been very visually appealing; but they posed significant barriers to anyone with arthritis or other disabilities.  In addition, some seniors were literally forced to sell their homes of many years to switch to single floor plans.  

Outdoor Living Areas

In times past home designs rarely went beyond basic landscaping for the outdoor areas.  Today, decks and patios serve the function of an additional room in the home and contemporary designs include attractive sliding glass doors opening onto enclosed decks, complete with built in barbecue grills.