Right now, it’s a sellers’ market when it comes to housing, which means buyers need to be certain that a house has what they need when they buy it.
Although some trends stay the same, others take over as technology and innovation improve. Here are a few trends hitting the housing market in 2014.
Curb-less Showers
Owners of the past used to relish bathtubs, especially big ones that took up space. Now showers are kicking tubs out and people are interested in more space and less clutter in it. One trend is curbless showers, which are showers that are only distinguished by different tiles within a bathroom, or the walls that jut out.
These showers are great for multiple reasons. They’re multi-generational so older users don’t have to worry about flexibility issues. They already come without boundaries, which usually include doors, too, cutting down on cleaning time and potential mold, mildew, and rotting issues. The lack of borders and doors gives people just a little more room to shower, too.
Multi-generational Use
Slightly mentioned in the previous paragraph, homes are also being designed to serve multi-generational families – both too be friendly for visitors and older parents that might stay with their kids, and for the people buying houses.
These designs include features such as sensors on faucets, higher dishwashers to prevent bending, and lower microwaves to prevent stretching, walk-in bathtubs/showers, wall-mounted sinks for wheelchair access, and open floor plans to accommodate wheelchairs, too. Although nowhere near common, one house actually includes a covered ramp that curves around the house and provides access to both floors.
Modern to Modest
In 2013, homeowners were big on modern designs, which had been big for most of the decade preceding it. Now, they’re going modest, with living space decreasing slightly and the materials used being more eco-friendly.
Houses will still include many of the features that make strong selling points, such as stone, wood, and metal, but how they’re finished will be less refined and more natural. Expect metal surfaces to be raw and counters to have more curves than usual. Cabinets will forego extra formaldehyde and turn to non-toxic glues when it comes to finishing. Recycled materials from other houses will also be used to drive down costs.
Gadgetry
It’s no shock that technology is a big part of how people live now days, and homes are moving toward better accommodation for those lifestyles. Fireplaces are decreasing to leave more wall space for televisions and even projectors. Thermostats come with apps that allow users to access them from anywhere in the world. Refrigerators will even monitor food supplies and suggest and/or place orders for users. Some companies are even designing shades in windows that will open or close depending on current weather conditions.
However, other things are changing, too. Standard electrical outlets are being replaced with U-sockets, which are sockets that carry the standard three-prong outlet along with two USB slots for portable devices. These sockets also rid of the “vampire drain” that is so common with electronic devices, monitoring usage and shutting off power when none is detected.
