Homeowners have changed their mind about what’s important and/or a good use of space in the homes of today, according to this article commenting on the latest American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey.
What’s IN
Home offices – For the many who work out of the home or those who work long hours and need a quiet place to catch up at night.
Outdoor living spaces – Certainly in warm weather climates the outdoor room trend fits perfectly all year round. But we here in Wisconsin squeeze as much enjoyment as we can before and after winter. Nice outdoor seating, planting, screening, maybe a firepit, water feature and outside lighting. Very desirable.
Mud rooms – Those who don’t have them sure wish they did! They are great for storing outdoor gear, charging stations and more. Many mud rooms now incorporate locker-type systems to stash things. That’s clever and useful organization.
Energy saving features – Reducing energy costs with efficient appliances is important. Double and triple glazed windows, tankless water heaters and low maintenance materials have seen the greatest interest in recent months, according to the survey.
What’s OUT
Homes in general are getting smaller – the average square foot of a home built in 2007 was 2700. In 2009, the square footage fell to 2400. As a result, these speciality rooms below have become less popular:
Au Pair/In Law suite
Guest suite/wing
Hobby/Game Room (basement or lower level would suffice)
Exercise rooms
Media/Home Theater
What do you think?
Do you agree with these "ins" and "outs"? Let us know with a comment. If you liked this article, please share.
Thanks for reading the First Weber Wisconsin real estate blog about home trends: What’s in and what’s out.
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