Many consumers seek the next great thing – from electronics to fashion – and enjoy being leaders in style and substance. The same can be said for the evolution of residential living, where change can be sparked by consumer demand.
This year is another seminal moment for home construction, with the coronavirus and a sudden pivot to work from home prompting developers to rethink their architectural drawings and design features. In researching this topic, I found a few themes emerge in new construction – not just because of the virus.
Bigger is better, up to a point
Different surveys of home buyers – particularly millennials, the largest group of purchasers in America –say their top priorities are more indoor and outdoor space. This includes having a yard, patio or terrace for a sense of escape, even in an urban dwelling.
The owner of a local development company told me his future apartment units will be averaging about 75 square feet more than today. The idea is that if more people are going to be working from home (as they have since March 2020), residents will want a place to put a desk and have a communications center – or at least that option. “The next several projects, we’re seriously looking to do that,” the developer said, wishing to remain anonymous. He said the additional space could be flexible by also becoming a den, depending on personal needs.
Builders say they are also offering a wider range of space configurations for single-family homes too. This allows households to accommodate multigenerational living under one roof, including accessory dwelling units with separate entries, as well as bonus space above the garage for an office or hobby room, and dedicated areas to teach their at-home children or set up a gym. Some higher-end developers are creating luxury guest suites with built-in wet bars, full bathrooms and walk-in closets.
Does that mean we may see bigger single-family homes – and even the possibility of a return to McMansion communities? One insider told me “no,” although some 5- or 6-bedroom mega-homes will be custom built in an area such as Bellevue. “The McMansion idea isn’t in favor right now with a lot of people politically, but if someone wants to build them, they’ll find a way,” this person told me.
Improved, always-on technology
Better tech means faster WiFi to help manage all uses – online video games, uninterrupted streaming of Netflix, hours of distance learning, managing uploads of office files to the cloud, as well as greater uses of smart-home features from the kitchen to the bathroom.
One developer told me he expects keyless entry to homes – including apartments – will be the next big change, once security issues are ironed out. It’s already being widely used in the short-term rental business where a lock can be changed the moment a tenant/guest has completed a stay.
“A lot of the newer homes come with a lot of these features already built in,” notes George Ratiu, senior economist with realtor.com. “From my perspective, there is tremendous opportunity for builders going forward in meeting these new demands.”
Going green(er)
We have been following for years a trend toward energy-efficient homes but what’s new is a demand from consumers for a “greener” home. A survey found 81% of people who expect to buy a new home in the next two years say higher energy efficiency would cause them to choose one new home over another, and 75% of millennials say they are willing to pay more for sustainable offerings.
Appliance makers, light-bulb manufacturers and plumbing-fixture companies have all responded in kind, delivering smart fridges, long-life lighting and no-touch/low-use water faucets and bathroom accessories. Now, though, there is a call for even more efficiencies and cost-saving efforts.
We are talking more than just solar arrays on the roof (although that, too, is growing in popularity here). New homes today are built to incorporate features designed to improve the quality of life of the people who live in them. Consumers are seeking comfort, cost savings and health benefits when deciding on a home – not just location.
A high-performance heating, cooling and ventilation system can improve overall comfort and air quality, with many new developments adding mini-split systems to help combat our annual (but brief) heat waves. Smart thermostats are often used to regulate temperatures, and Energy Star certified appliances and WaterSense-labeled fixtures can also help to reduce energy and water waste as well as achieve consistent utility bills.
Space-saving components
In the era of “Storage Wars” and public storage facilities appearing on nearly every other street, Americans clearly enjoy collecting … stuff. Think about it, storage units hold the overflow of belongings that once “lived” in a person’s home.
Our collection craze – and the cost of holding possessions in a warehouse – has likely contributed to the addition of storage system improvements in the home. This includes organizers in the laundry room, pantry, under staircases and anywhere else a building developer can carve out free space.
Kitchen islands are being installed with more systems built in for cutlery and other utensils, with drawers custom made to hold spices. It’s all about keeping things grouped and organized for easy discovery when needed.
Spacious, light-filled
Vaulted ceilings have been around as an architectural feature in homes for about a century. They were quite popular in the 1980s Eastside construction boom for the influx of “Microsofties.”
Out of favor for a while, the vault is making a comeback with some builders across the states (or so we hear). They can open up a room, add more natural light and create character, but they will be more challenging to maintain, require greater energy use to heat/cool and conceivably remove usable space from the floor above.
Also growing are the sizes of windows and doors. They are getting taller and wider to add natural light (and possibly to squeeze in massive furniture and big-screen TVs through the openings). Nonstandard windows and doors will be trends going forward – a personal statement for your home.
One message I heard in researching this story: Builders are listening to you. They hear the wishes – and demands – of consumers seeking a modern home, especially in this era of coronavirus and living/working/schooling in one place.
No longer needing a gym membership, sharply cutting down on commuting costs and going out less for meals all provide households with reasons to seek form and function in a home, as well as shift savings from those former activities to buying/renting a bigger home.
What would like to see more (or less) of in your future home? Send me a note. I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.