House ‘must haves’ reflect new lifestyles

House design is constantly evolving as our society changes. In today’s pluggedin world, homeowners are looking for a place to unwind and spend time with family and friends. And an increasingly aging population is also influencing how houses are designed.

Here are some trends housebuyers will see in new houses today:

KITCHEN CENTRAL

Today’s house designs are all about casual living. Gone are the formal parlors and living rooms. Instead, the kitchen has become the heart of the home. Kitchens and their surrounding gathering spaces are being given maximum real estate by home designers. Dining rooms have become nonessential, as kitchens expand and absorb family seating areas.

As the kitchen becomes an increasingly important part of the home, the trend is also to add more technology to the area. Wi-Fi-enabled house automation technology is becoming standard in many new houses, and plug-in stations in the kitchen are also a must.

GETTING OUTSIDE

The other increasingly popular place for the family to hang out is outside. Outdoor living areas — often with fireplaces or fire pits, sofas and televisions — are becoming more essential in house design. And as the action moves to the backyard, the line between indoors and outdoors is becoming more blurred through the use of stacking or accordion-style glass doors that can turn a wall into an open space.

FLEXIBLE SPACE

Look for more areas in the house that don’t have a dedicated purpose. That extra room could become a suite for an aging relative or a quiet office for a family member working from home. In 2016, 43 percent of the nation’s workforce spent part of the time working remotely, according to a Gallup poll released in February. Flex rooms can be easily transformed from one purpose or another without costly renovations.

HEALTHY LIVING

Green building is going mainstream. As housebuyers are becoming more aware of indoor environmental hazards, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs are gases from chemically produced material), the trend is toward less-harmful paints, high efficiency heating and air conditioning units and the use of natural materials. Natural materials are also becoming popular as an antidote to technology. Look for more tactile, warm surfaces such as wood and cork.

AGING IN PLACE

America’s aging population is also influencing house design. Older residents are looking for smaller, single-story houses that are easily navigable. As more baby boomers are turning 65, universal design is becoming increasingly important, and designers are discovering that accessibility doesn’t come at the cost of style. For example, flush-floor showers with built-in seating and partial doors can be elegant and functional.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Government mandates as well as homeowner demands are spurring the increase of a new house’s efficiency. Solar power, better insulation and windows with increased thermal performance will continue to become features. Energy-efficient, flexible LED lighting is also chang1ing the way houses are illuminated, from strip lights for safety to chandeliers for a touch of glamour.

Water conservation is also becoming more important, and gray-water technologies are emerging that allow for some recycled water to be used for irrigation.