Covid dramatically changed the way people interacted with their homes - it was no longer just a place to hang out after work or school and to sleep at night. Our homes needed to provide absolutely everything - entertainment, a work space, bedrooms, a gym, etc. Despite life mostly returning to normal, many of the trends brought about by Covid are here to stay. Many people continue to work from home, people got used to socializing at home more often, and people liked all the flexibility and comfort that their home could provide. Here are some current and upcoming trends in home design to consider for your current or future home!

A Focus on Health & Wellness

Home gym popularity soared during Covid when people were unable to work out at their commercial gym. Even though gyms are back open, homeowners are more willing to spend money on outfitting their home gym than they are on gym memberships. Home gyms are incredibly popular in custom home design, a trend that won’t be going anywhere! Other wellness features people are incorporating into their homes include indoor gardens, whole home air filtration systems, and meditation spaces.

Flexible, Open & Efficient Floor Plans

Again, with people spending so much time at home the last few years, every space needs to be as functional as possible. Flexibility is key, because, unless you have 5,000 + of square feet you probably can’t set up a separate space for every single purpose throughout the day. Rooms need to do double duty, acting as perhaps an office during the day and an a reading nook in the evening, or kids playroom and homework station. Open floor plans are still popular, but defined spaces are very important as well. While people do need a good amount of square footage to accommodate the whole family, they also don’t want a home that is too big, because energy efficiency is important as well! Balancing all of these different needs is not easy, but the perfect home is flexible, open yet defined and also efficient.

Accessible Design for Aging in Place

When people are designing their dream home, or even doing some minor remodeling projects, they most likely are at least considering that this is their forever home. As such, people want to design with accessible features in mind so that their home remains functional and comfortable for years to come. Accessible features includes a bedroom and full bathroom on the main level, wider doorways and hallways, more functional lower cabinet space, and minimal stairs.

Bigger, Better Pantries and Mudrooms

It is crazy to me how small most pantries are in “older” homes - in this case I just mean homes that are 5 or 10 years old! Many homes are lucky to have a cupboard dedicated to pantry storage, let alone a functional walk-in space. Mudrooms are the same, even at my current house it is mostly a laundry room where we have managed to squeeze some storage for coats. Homeowners are dying for bigger and better pantries and mudrooms and home builders are delivering! Again, functionality is key, and keeping counters decluttered and shoes tucked away where they belong helps keep the home looking clean and tidy without much extra effort, which is always a win!

Multi-Generational Living / Guest Suites

It is becoming more common for families to have multiple generations living under the same roof. Older grandparents, adult children, or long term visitors may all need a place to stay! Another benefit to having a guest suite is having a dedicated spot for a family member to quarantine.

Ensuite Bathrooms in All Bedrooms

In many new construction homes, particularly luxury homes, it is quite popular to do an attached bathroom with every bedroom. This is a trend that would be difficult or impractical to do during a remodel, but it would definitely be a great feature to have!

Home Offices & Studies

Obviously home offices have been around for years, but they are becoming more and more popular. Whereas in the past most adults worked out of the home, now many more people work from home and need a dedicated work space. Home offices are getting more important to buyers and builders, and they want larger offices as well.

Eliminating Dead Space

With homeowners needing their homes to provide so much, there really isn’t room for wasted space. Incorporating functional design wherever possible is key - you can turn a slightly larger upstairs landing becomes a homework space, create a reading nook on the staircase, and squeeze extra storage wherever possible. Eliminating dead space also means rooms that simply aren’t used, like the traditional formal living room and dining room.

Good Exterior Space

People are now treating the exterior as their home as an extension to the rest of their home, rather than simply “the backyard”. They want their exterior space to be more comfortable and welcoming and match the overall feel of their home. An exterior remodel is a great way to improve your home and make a big impact!