So much has changed in the past few months and for some of us, that also includes what our "dream" home will look like and how it will function. Earlier this year, buyers were trending towards smaller homes with open concept spaces conducive to casual group gatherings. But after spending weeks of enforced togetherness with their families during lockdown, those same buyers now long for larger homes with more options for privacy, both indoors and out.
"While the coronavirus still rages on, it's hard to predict what post-pandemic abodes might look like," according to Barrons. "Yet, developers around the U.S. are already rethinking projects, anticipating residents' needs and preferences that Covid-19 would spur. In doing so, they are re-evaluating current in-unit aesthetics and in-demand amenities."
Here are just a few areas of home design where trends may shift in the coming years:
Home size - Houses had been trending smaller in the recent past, but those days may be behind us. With so many families spending (way) more time around the house lately, there's never been more desire for personal space. Developers are aware of this shift and expect the square footage of homes to expand in size accordingly.
Prioritizing the home office - As more and more businesses relax work-from-home policies or shift to full-time remote work entirely, the home office will become a 'must-have' for many buyers. A space that was once an afterthought now will need to offer privacy, good lighting and be pre-wired for professional telecommuting.
Return to the closed floor plan - For some buyers, the open concept floor plan has started to lose its former appeal. With more of us at home these days, personal space for school or business, hobbies, fitness and entertainment are high on most buyers' wish lists. Savvy builders anticipate a rise in demand for more traditional closed floor plans, where rooms are partitioned for distinct purposes and often in separate wings of the house. Today's buyers will still insist upon higher ceilings and an abundance of natural light to keep these more defined spaces airy and bright.
Smart technology - This is already one of the fastest growing trends in home design, but smart home technology will soon move from a 'plus' to a 'must'. Temperature and lighting control can now be voice or motion-activated. Touchless faucets, once thought superfluous, are now an inexpensive and health-conscious upgrade. Systems that filter and monitor air quality will become even more common and affordable.
The working chef's kitchen - With more meals being cooked at home these days, the kitchen will once again regain its title as heart of the home. Cooks will require state-of-the-art appliances, additonal storage cabinetry or walk-in pantries, as well as more counterspace for food preparation. The Great Room fad may be here to stay, since cooking, eating and relaxing go hand in hand.
Recreational retreats - When many shared facilities closed during the pandemic - pools, fitness centers, sports clubs, even parks - home buyers realized the benefit of having their own personal recreational spaces. Look for an uptick in these amenities desired by buyers in the years ahead.
This is the world we live in now, but together we can find the perfect place for you to call home.
Let's get started!
Ginger