The past few years have seen a rise in several housing trends that we predict will continue on through this year and even 2018. Many millennials are buying and building homes and they are looking to make a smaller footprint and simplify. The architectural features that were important to older generations are no longer needed or are out of place in the modern home.
Green Living
Energy efficient appliances and windows are a must for any new homes, long-term savings and the environmental implications are something that most people consider now. With the onset of low-flow faucets, solar heating, tankless water heaters, and duel-flush toilets, it’s becoming easier to make every aspect of a home save time, money, and resources.
Disappearing Living Rooms
Livings rooms as a separate room are becoming less and less common, instead what homebuyers or homebuilders are looking for is a “great room”. This is an open floor plan that combines that family, kitchen, and dining rooms into one huge common room. This room has space for homework to be done, meals to be eaten, parties to be had, and more.
Kitchens
Walk-in pantries and huge islands are on their way out while recessed lighting and large farmhouse style sinks are becoming increasingly popular. Resell value is a big thing with the more transient millennials, and therefore the modern sleek kitchen is making way for the cozy and comfortable kitchen which has proved itself popular through many different kitchen trends.
Copper
Copper is the new hot metal for fixtures, and mixing copper or gold with wood is becoming even more popular, though gold and bronze are also becoming more sought after. Grays and blacks are making their way up to the top of most desirable neutrals as well. All of these colors work well together or separately, and also mix well in many different mediums, shades, and materials.
Raw Materials
Materials such as stone and wood are making their way back into homes in place of stainless steel and tile. Featuring the raw organic beauty of nature (whether manufactured to look like nature or truly from nature) is the way to go; everything in its natural form.