One of the common trends for today’s homebuyer is the desire to make their lives easier. This spans every price point and buyer motivation. People have more casual lifestyles than in the past and expect their homes to reflect their lack of formality. The new home industry has some clear “what’s in” and “what’s out” for award-winning interior and exterior design.
Foxlane Homes’ Villa Ciano model in Murrysville, Pennsylvania embodies all that is “in” for an award-winning model; and was named Best Model Home at the Home Excellence Awards presented by the Builders Association of Metro Pittsburgh.
What’s In
Heart of the Home
Kitchens have always been at the heart of the home. As floor plans continue to be more open, there is more desire to have a better-looking kitchen. In today’s market, kitchen designs are expected to be lovely but also have to be designed to be super-efficient to make the buyer’s life easier.
Primary Bathroom
Buyers will opt for a larger, more luxurious shower than a standard bathtub. If they have budget and space, they will choose the free-standing bathtub and spa-like finishes.
Flex Spaces
The more flexible the floor plan, the more the buyer can design their own personal sanctuary. Plan to have flexible spaces such as a home office on the first floor that can morph into a guest room or a dining room and a playroom that can become a study upstairs.
Smart Home Technology
Wireless technology like door locks you can control with an app and Nest smart thermostats make life easier for homeowners and are embraced by all buyer demographics.
Cleaner Exterior Style
Buyers prefer a clean look, such as white bricks, on the outside of their house and prefer an exterior style with cream, white, and subtle natural colors rather than the multiple colors and dark trim found on Craftsman-style homes.
Natural Touches
Being a part of nature is a wonderfully healthy feeling. Homes with natural wood beams and even natural wood ceilings were among the winners of the Best in American Living Awards at the National Association of Home Builders International Builders Show.
What’s Out
Standard Bathtubs
Most new home buyers want a larger, more luxurious shower rather than a big soaking tub; and if they have the space, they’ll put in a freestanding tub rather than a drop-in tub.
Dark Hardwood Flooring
This trend has reverted to lighter wood tones with blond and white-washed treatments.
Clutter
Buyers want to see efficiency in every aspect of their new homes: closet systems and organizers built into kitchen cabinets and drawers are desirable.
Contact us to discuss more about what’s in and what’s out in award-winning model homes. We design and merchandise model homes that elicit dreams of home ownership, set our client’s product apart from the competition, and help homes sell.
