Builder Magazine recently published an article highlighting the Top 15 Trends in Single-Family Living. In many ways, the characteristics that new home builders deem popular will translate into the types of projects existing homeowners will be looking to complete. For, as we know, keeping our homes current is one reason why we remodel. So, we took a look at the new build trends to find parallels in the local home remodeling arena.
Demand for private outdoor living spaces is on the rise in new home builds and we are experiencing the same demand here in Indianapolis remodeling projects. Case in point: the Indianapolis Star decided to halt for the summer their popular “In The Kitchen” series in Friday’s Taste section, in favor of a weekly :Outdoor Entertaining” feature. (Click here to see the first CaseIndy project that was featured, and here for the second.) The focus on extending home entertaining to outdoor spaces is growing, even here where the seasons tend to limit outside time. For many of our clients, adding a 3-season room or heat lamps allow them to extend the enjoyment of their outdoor living spaces.
Even larger kitchens are being included in new home builds, reflecting homeowners’ desire to use them as multi-functional spaces. More and more kitchens serve as the hub of a family, becoming an all-in-one work, school, cooking, and entertaining space. Storage design is changing to meet the needs of the large packaging and multiple quantities seen today. Most of our kitchen remodels include either adding or increasing the size of an existing island, providing a central gathering space. Dedicated areas for technology, such as charging stations and room for laptops, is also a common design component. Finally, most of our kitchen projects increase storage space, usually through the addition of cabinetry over walk-in pantries.
In many new builds, media rooms have become standard. The current trend is to expand the seating options as larger TVs are now used for more than just watching movies. Remodeling projects are becoming more aware of emerging technology as well. When we remove walls between a kitchen and family room, the homeowner is given the opportunity to incorporate how family members interact with media these days. Many homeowners are considering moving beyond a built-in speaker system too, opting for the latest in home automation technology.
A lack of storage is a major reason why many people decide to build a new home. However, even though they would like more space, many Indianapolis homeowners love their neighborhoods and schools and are not looking to leave. Increasing the functionality of the current home is a major goal behind most of our remodeling projects. We help our clients create a space that suits their current and future needs so they can stay put.
Many new home buyers plan to have multiple generations within the families living with them. Including “in-law suites” with kitchenettes and separate entrances are becoming popular. We see this trend in remodeling with the rise of universal design. Creating spaces that are accessible and comfortable for all ages and abilities is a part of many of our projects. In addition, many of our recent lower level remodels have included at least one bedroom and a full bathroom.
Finally, another trend builders of new homes are experiencing is a yearning for personalization. Today’s buyers are not settling for the standard builder layouts anymore. They are looking for a home designed around their needs and desires. Well, this idea is right up our alley, as it is what we do every day! As a design/build remodeling firm, we create a new project design for each client, built around their own particular functionality and aesthetic goals. It may be possible that this new build trend is following remodeling’s lead rather than the other way around.
