Design Preferences and Home Trends

by Joel Barkman

Building and remodeling homes has evolved into a different business during the past few years. I think some of it has to do with the current economy and the rising cost of fuel. But I think that much of the shift is a result of who we are culturally and our lifestyle today.

I am building more homes for people who are retiring or getting older and are wishing to downsize. These folks are interested in smaller, more efficient floor plans with very little maintenance.

Interestingly enough, a young family who is just starting their dream of owning a home is asking me for the very same thing. Affordable, well-designed (or not so much wasted space), energy efficient, low-maintenance, and quality materials.

According to panelists who spoke at two design trends seminars during the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders' Show last month, home buyers are also looking for open floor plans, energy-efficient features and lots of closet space.

Large living rooms and soaking tubs, on the other hand, are falling out of favor, and consumers, according to the panelists, don't want second-floor laundry rooms because they think they make too much noise when people are trying to sleep.

I have to admit, I still get lots of requests of upper level laundry rooms. Many families do not like carrying the laundry from one level to the next. In most cases the laundry rooms in my homes are sound insulated regardless of what floor they are on - and clients are often surprised at how affordable a laundry chute is as well.

Mostly, prospective buyers are looking for small details: the built-in desk under a stairway, the courtyard tucked between the two downstairs bedrooms. To create successful floor plans, in addition to simply listening to your client, builders should be using such features to "create memory points," said panelist Kate Brennan of the Chicago design firm Mary Cook and Associates.

Brennan spoke at a seminar for custom builders looking for new ideas in home design for floor plans measuring 2,500 square feet or less.

She and co-presenters John Thatch, of the Dahlin Group Architecture Planning, and Gale Seves, of Open House Production, suggested that these single-family home builders take ideas from successful condominium projects where architects and designers have to make the most of limited space.

For instance, an open floor plan is not only more practical for entertaining - allowing the hosts to interact with their dinner guests in a spacious kitchen while they are preparing food - but having fewer walls and closed-off spaces makes the home seem much larger, panelists said.

More than ever, the kitchen is the hub of the house, even if busy families are bringing home takeout. A kitchen island needs to be larger to double as a homework spot, craft table and bill-paying desk - and a place to enjoy coffee on a Saturday morning.

Natural finishes are also more popular, the panelists said. Recycled flooring, a mix of wood grains on cabinets and architectural details that reflect the indigenous building of the region - like wood or stone in our area - are more important to homeowners today.

The panelists also talked about a growing group of homeowners: WINKs - Women With No Kids. These single women have preferences that are distinct from those of the households designers are more accustomed to addressing: the first-time buyers who tend to be singles and young professionals; the move-up buyers, who usually have children; and the empty-nesters.

These women have more buying power than their counterparts a generation ago and are seeking smaller homes, multipurpose rooms for entertaining and intimate "retreat" spaces for themselves.

A survey of 20,000 home buyers in the United States and Canada identified a number of features in new homes that are considered non-negotiable across almost all demographic groups, said Paul Cardis of AVID Ratings, who spoke at a seminar on new design preferences.

The top five features include walk-in closets - mentioned by 66 percent of first-time buyers as a "must have" - energy-efficient appliances, linen closets, a large kitchen and the overall efficiency of the home, Cardis said.

Notice that efficiency is mentioned twice along with closets. I suppose it's true, "you can never have too much closet space." And maybe we can coin another phrase to apply to today's new and remodeled homes; after all, you can't have a home that's "too efficient" either - but not just appliances and insulation, people are look for an efficient house plan as well.

Whether you are moving up or moving down, single or married, when it comes to building AND designing, "Ask a Builder" first.

As always e-mail your questions or comments to joel@goldenrulebuilders.com or write to "Ask a Builder" at P.O. box 294, Catlett, VA 20119.

Barkman is president of the Fauquier Chapter of The Northern Virginia Building Industry Association.

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