Design Trends 2012
8 Influential Home Design Trends for 2012
The National Association of Home Builders sees the year ahead through the eyes of its annual design award winners
The NAHB uses these design awards to look for upcoming trends for new home design. This year the jurors identified eight design trends that will have an influence on new home designs in 2012 and into the future.
When speaking about these trends at the International Builders Show, held in February in Orlando, Florida, BALA jurors Heather McCune, Mark Kiner and Victor Mirontshuk all noted that new home design is significantly better now than just a few years ago. Unlike in the recent boom years, when just about anything built was sold, strong competition in the current market is forcing all builders to improve home design.
A better home with an eye to the future. Now that’s what I call better living.
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Design trend no. 1: classic yet contemporary. The new houses with strong sales now are those that blend modern and traditional elements to create cleaner and simpler elevations. Interior spaces are clean, bright and simple. Gone are the heavy detailing and generous ornamentation of the recent past.
This project: Gold Award, One-of-a-Kind Home, 4,001–6,500 square feet Photo by Herbie Rooprai |
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Design trend no. 3: good, cost-effective designs. To keep construction costs low, we’ll see multiple roof lines and complexity give way to simplified forms. Gone is the “exploding roof” design paradigm for the straightforward gable roof and rectangular form. Innovative and creative approaches to layouts, storage, curb appeal and so on will be established in the early design stage to ensure that the new designs don’t become boring.
This project: Gold Award, Single-Family Detached Home, 2,001–3,000 square feet Photo by Robb Miller Photography |
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Design trend no. 4: the family triangle. It used to be that open floor plans were limited to certain geographic regions and buyer profiles. Now the open floor plan is desired throughout the country and by every market segment. The old living room has been replaced by a flexible space that can be used as needed while still being close to the family triangle. The jurors noted that these new open plans rely on light and detail to give a feeling of spaciousness rather than simply being large.
This project: Platinum Award, Interior Design, Kitchen Photo by Jim Kirby Photography |
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Design trend no. 5: multigenerational living. Whether it’s because more are children returning home after college or more parents are moving in with the family, multigenerational homes are increasing in popularity. In fact, one study indicated that the construction of such homes has jumped 30 percent in the past few years.
So whether they create “lock-off” units, two master suites (one up and one down) or some other type of space, builders are recognizing the increased need for these types of homes and planning for them in their designs. Amenities such as wider hallways, elevators, grab bars and so on are all becoming the norm.
This project: Silver Award, Green-Built Home Photo by James F. Watson |
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Design trend no. 6: kitchen entertaining with a view. Kitchens continue to be without a doubt the center of the house. But with square footage being trimmed, designers are having to develop innovative solutions for storage and functional needs. There’s also an increasing use of large windows to keep the kitchen light, bright and airy so it can live large. The loss of wall space for cabinetry is made up with walk-in pantries (dubbed the “Costco Closet”), where it’s not uncommon to find the (messy) kitchen desk hidden from view.
This project: Silver Award, One-of-a-Kind Home over 6,501 square feet Photo by Elaine Fultz |
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Design trend no. 7: green design elements that consumers understand and want. Buyers expect a certain level of green elements in their homes today. Items that are somewhat familiar, reduce operating costs and are easy to use are the most popular.
This project: Silver Award, Green-Built Home Photo by James F. Watson |
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Design trend no. 8: less land development, more focus on multifamily. The trend is to smaller developments and infill properties with a proximity to transportation and other amenities. A mix of housing types and buyer profiles is evident so that families across generations can live close to one other. Less emphasis is now placed on the importance of a car, as buyers want to live in walk-to-everything communities.
This project: Best in Region, Pacific Northwest |
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