A recent survey of interior designers revealed their observations and predictions for our changing homes. There were several trends that are already appearing in many homes.
Reworked floor plan for the Master Bath with a new six foot tub and a sauna.
First, the open floor plan. Over the past ten years or so, homeowners are requesting more open space. They want to connect with their guests and they want to be with their family. Kitchens in particular are being opened up to other parts of the home.
Coupled with that is the trend towards eat-in kitchens. Eating bars are being incorporated into counters. Small, cozy table and chairs/benches/banquettes are appearing in kitchens. People don’t want to be in that separate formal dining room, away from the action.
And I’m getting more requests to simply re-purpose the dining room. For the one or two times a year you want to sit down with guests in a more formal space, is it worth it to leave that room empty of people for the other 363 days? How about a media room or a home office instead? Even if you decide to stick with the dining function for the space, can it be incorporated into the kitchen and made into a more casual space for everyday family dining?
A corresponding trend is towards larger master suites. Now that the family can be together in the kitchen and family room, parents are requesting a dedicated space where they can be alone. Recent requests I’ve gotten are for a separate vanity area, a reading nook, a sauna, a jetted tub, and, of course, their own TV.
An interesting trend is away from ‘throw-away furniture.’ For many years, the furniture available to many people was very inexpensive. There are still a number of retailers who specialize in low cost furniture and much of it is attractive – at least to start. But when the sofa needs to be replaced after only a couple of years, or the media center breaks, or the coffee table surface is irreparably damaged, people are asking themselves if it was really that good of a deal to start with.
Another trend is towards downsizing. People are tired of taking care of a big home and taking care of rooms they rarely use. I can tell you that in my neighborhood, condo projects have sprung up everywhere. There’s a wonderful freedom to living under a shared roof where the exterior is taken care of by someone else and the homes are smaller and take less time to take care of. But even if you crave a garden and don’t mind cleaning those gutters, the trend is towards homes with less square footage.
So how does your home stack up? Are there rooms you rarely use? Is the person in the kitchen cut off from other people? Is it already time to replace that side table? Is there a place where the whole family can be together regularly? What can YOU do to make your home more perfect for you and your family?
