Choosing the features, finishes and appliances for your home is one of the most enjoyable parts of building a new home. Unfortunately, the process can also be a little overwhelming at times. Taking a look at the latest trends can provide a little inspiration and make your decisions easier. These seven trends are expected to be popular in the Rochester area in 2024.
A Focus on Home Offices
During COVID-19, many of us discovered that we weren’t really prepared to work from home. Working at the kitchen table or from the couch was perfectly fine if you were catching up on a project in the evening. Unfortunately, your makeshift set-up probably became uncomfortable and inconvenient after a few weeks.
New home floor plans that provide dedicated offices or offer bonus or guest rooms that can be turned into temporary or permanent offices make it easy to add work space to your house. If you’re planning a custom home project this year, consider making a home office a priority in your addition. Bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to home offices. Small offices can be just as comfortable and private as large ones.
Incorporating Lifestyle Trends
The lifestyle trends we discussed back in March will continue to be popular this year, including open floor plans. In fact, 90 percent of home construction and remodeling experts surveyed by Fixr said that open floor plans were the most popular type of plan for single-family homes. Although open plans aren’t the best choice for everyone, they’re ideal for entertaining and can make smaller homes seem more spacious.
Smart Technology
Smart technology for the home is at the top of many homeowners’ wish lists. The technology allows you to control security, thermostats, appliances, lighting and window coverings from your smartphone. If you’re building a new home, your builder can help you turn your house into a smart home by incorporating smart technology during construction.
Vibrant, Yet Practical Kitchens
Granite isn’t the only choice when it comes to kitchen countertops these days. Marble, soapstone, quartz, acrylic, solid surface, reclaimed wood and other materials are durable options that enhance the appearance of your kitchen. Other popular kitchen trends include: · Combinations: Mixing styles, one of the trends we reported in 2023, continues to be popular today. Not sure which type of cabinets you like best? Mixing dark and light cabinets adds visual interest and gives your kitchen personality. For an extra pop of color, choose colorful appliances, or mix metallic tones on drawer pulls and knobs.
- Dark Floors: Dark floors add a dramatic touch to your kitchen and draw the eye to your cabinets.
- Disappearing Appliances: Hiding appliances behind cabinetry not only makes your kitchen look sleek and streamlined but eliminates worries about non-matching appliances.
- Storage Options: Pull-out shelving, islands and custom cabinets for narrow spaces will help you make the most of your kitchen space. Pantries offer additional storage and keep your kitchen from looking uncluttered. They’re the perfect place to store food, small kitchen appliances, and mops and brooms.
- Smart Appliances: Smart technology allows you to turn appliances on or off remotely or schedule the perfect time to start a baking or dishwashing cycle. Some ovens even remember the perfect settings for recipes for your recipes.
Luxurious Custom Bathrooms
Bathroom trends are all about comfort. Among the top trends are deep soaking tubs, steam showers with built-in sound systems, heated floors, bidets, and towel warmers. You won’t waste a drop of water when you opt for hands-free faucets and high-tech toilets that conserve water while offering heated seats and built-in bidets. Marble floors, mood lighting and natural wood cabinets help turn any bathroom into an oasis. Shower accent walls are expected to be popular this year, according to Houzz, as are self-cleaning toilets and lighted mirrors.
New Paint Colors
Every year, paint manufacturers share information on color trends for the coming year. Better Homes and Gardens reports that we can expect to see these hot colors from the following manufacturers:
Sherwin-Williams: Sherwin Williams chose Upward SW 6239 for its premier color, a light-blue, cool-toned shade.
Valspar: Valspar picked Renew Blue as their 2024 top color, a versatile and calming shade of blue.
Rust-Oleum: Chocolate Cherry, a warm, brown shade is Rust-Oleum’s pick for the top color of 2024.
Glidden: Limitless is Glidden’s paint choices for the new year, a warm, inviting beige-like color.
Benjamin Moore: Benjamin Moore settled on Blue Nova 825, a calming blue-violet shade, for its signature choice.
Outdoor Spaces
With vacations being cancelled or delayed due to the pandemic, comfortable outdoor spaces are more important than ever for homeowners. This year is the perfect time to add a porch, create a two-level deck, add an outdoor kitchen, install a putting green, or build an outdoor fireplace. Upgrading your backyard will give you an outdoor living space you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Aging-in-Place Features
Do you want to remain in your home after you retire? You’re not alone. Seventy-six percent of adults 50 and older don’t plan to move, according to an AARP survey. Making a few changes to your home now will make it easier to live in your home in the future. Aging-in-place features that can be added during home construction and include:
- Curbless showers
- Walk-in bathtubs
- Non-slip flooring
- Pull-down kitchen shelving
- Counter-height microwave ovens
- Wider doorways and halls
- Enhanced lighting
- Zero-step entrances
- Discreet grab bars in the bathroom
- Higher toilets
- Shower seats
- Easy-to-reach outlets and light switches
- Lever-style door handles
- Pull-down closet rods
- Open floor plan
- A first-floor bedroom and bathroom
- First-floor laundry room with front-loading washer and dryer
Are you having trouble deciding which trends are right for your new home? We’ve seen trends come and go throughout the years and can offer a little insight that may make your decision a little easier. If you live in the Greater Rochester area and are ready to build a brand new home, be sure to get in touch with us.
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