Building Trends in 2014
Over the past several years, there’s been a growing demand for energy-efficient homes with eco-friendly materials and versatile living spaces. Homeowners are looking for features that create a comfortable and convenient lifestyle. To meet demands, building trends in 2014 are including features that homeowners want. Take a look at some of the most popular home features.
Smart Home Systems
In today’s computerized world, homeowners love smart home systems that help conserve energy and make household tasks easy and convenient. With the push of a button from any computer or smartphone, you can automate numerous home features from any location. Smart home systems allow you to turn your home lights on or off, lock and unlock doors, arm or disarm your security system, program or adjust thermostat settings, and program or adjust swimming pool and spa temperatures.
Green Materials
Homeowners are opting for healthy living environments with safe eco-friendly materials in the home. Many building materials contain toxic or harmful chemicals which can contribute to allergies, respiratory problems, headaches, and other health issues. Interior and exterior materials like paints, wood stains, insulation, carpet, and upholstery are being replaced with recycled and green materials that are chemical-free and hypoallergenic. Popular materials include recycled wood products, eco-friendly bamboo flooring, non-toxic adhesives and carpet backing, and hypoallergenic textiles.
Family Kitchens
Kitchens are being designed as a multitasking space that’s used by the entire family. They are becoming the central activity center, the hub-of-the-house, where the family spends time together cooking, eating and entertaining. Kitchen layouts include various cooking zones with state-of-the-art appliances, kitchen islands with prep stations and sinks, and planning areas with desks and computers. This versatile layout creates a kitchen where kids can do homework while parents cook dinner. It encourages family conversations and shared activities.
Outdoor Fireplaces and Firepits
Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits create an outdoor environment with a cozy, relaxing atmosphere. The glow of a warm fire creates a comfortable setting for outdoor dining and entertaining. The added warmth and light extend the time you can spend outdoors throughout the year. Outdoor fireplaces require more space, more money, and special skills to build and install. Free-standing firepits require very little space, less money, and no building skills. The choice usually depends on space and budget limitations, but they are both popular outdoor features.
Outdoor Kitchens
A luxury home feature that’s in big demand with homeowners today is outdoor kitchens. They provide a great way to cook, dine and entertain outdoors year-round. Simple designs usually include a grill, side burner, sink, and countertops. Luxury designs can include rotisseries, pizza ovens, warming drawers, storage areas, compact refrigerators, ice makers, wine coolers, and beer keg dispensers. Depending on the design and selected appliances, outdoor kitchens can range from $2,000 to $50,000, but homeowners love the lifestyle options that they provide.
Spas and Hot Tubs
With today’s busy lifestyles, homeowners want relaxation features in their homes. Spas and hot tubs top the list for popularity. They are being included in new homes around the country in warm and cold climates. Outdoor spas and hot tubs are still the most popular, but some homeowners are opting for indoor spas in the master bathroom or just outside the master bedroom. New homes without spas or hot tubs often include whirlpool baths with adjustable water jets and showers with specialty showerheads and side jets. Whether inside or outside, relaxing spas and hot tubs are home features that homeowners want.
Over the past several years, there’s been a growing demand for energy-efficient homes with eco-friendly materials and versatile living spaces. Homeowners are looking for features that create a comfortable and convenient lifestyle. To meet demands, building trends in 2014 are including features that homeowners want. Take a look at some of the most popular home features.
Smart Home Systems
In today’s computerized world, homeowners love smart home systems that help conserve energy and make household tasks easy and convenient. With the push of a button from any computer or smartphone, you can automate numerous home features from any location. Smart home systems allow you to turn your home lights on or off, lock and unlock doors, arm or disarm your security system, program or adjust thermostat settings, and program or adjust swimming pool and spa temperatures.
Green Materials
Homeowners are opting for healthy living environments with safe eco-friendly materials in the home. Many building materials contain toxic or harmful chemicals which can contribute to allergies, respiratory problems, headaches, and other health issues. Interior and exterior materials like paints, wood stains, insulation, carpet, and upholstery are being replaced with recycled and green materials that are chemical-free and hypoallergenic. Popular materials include recycled wood products, eco-friendly bamboo flooring, non-toxic adhesives and carpet backing, and hypoallergenic textiles.
Family Kitchens
Kitchens are being designed as a multitasking space that’s used by the entire family. They are becoming the central activity center, the hub-of-the-house, where the family spends time together cooking, eating and entertaining. Kitchen layouts include various cooking zones with state-of-the-art appliances, kitchen islands with prep stations and sinks, and planning areas with desks and computers. This versatile layout creates a kitchen where kids can do homework while parents cook dinner. It encourages family conversations and shared activities.
Outdoor Fireplaces and Firepits
Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits create an outdoor environment with a cozy, relaxing atmosphere. The glow of a warm fire creates a comfortable setting for outdoor dining and entertaining. The added warmth and light extend the time you can spend outdoors throughout the year. Outdoor fireplaces require more space, more money, and special skills to build and install. Free-standing firepits require very little space, less money, and no building skills. The choice usually depends on space and budget limitations, but they are both popular outdoor features.
Outdoor Kitchens
A luxury home feature that’s in big demand with homeowners today is outdoor kitchens. They provide a great way to cook, dine and entertain outdoors year-round. Simple designs usually include a grill, side burner, sink, and countertops. Luxury designs can include rotisseries, pizza ovens, warming drawers, storage areas, compact refrigerators, ice makers, wine coolers, and beer keg dispensers. Depending on the design and selected appliances, outdoor kitchens can range from $2,000 to $50,000, but homeowners love the lifestyle options that they provide.
Spas and Hot Tubs
With today’s busy lifestyles, homeowners want relaxation features in their homes. Spas and hot tubs top the list for popularity. They are being included in new homes around the country in warm and cold climates. Outdoor spas and hot tubs are still the most popular, but some homeowners are opting for indoor spas in the master bathroom or just outside the master bedroom. New homes without spas or hot tubs often include whirlpool baths with adjustable water jets and showers with specialty showerheads and side jets. Whether inside or outside, relaxing spas and hot tubs are home features that homeowners want.
