HOME DESIGN TRENDS

Builders and home-design pros are responding to changing times and tastes. Pampering amenities, bold colors, open floorplans, outdoor living areas and energy-efficient construction have supplanted sheer square footage in desirability, as far as buyers are concerned.

That was the conclusion of a panel of top builders, architects and interior designers who convened for the 2012 New-Home Design Trends Conference, sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando's Sales and Marketing and Design Council.

Among the topics discussed: site planning, floorplans and elevations, interior design, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, use of color, green building and home finance.

Panelists included Tony Weremeichik, principle, Canin Associates; Amy Thrasher, director of marketing, Phil Kean Designs; Christy Scanlon, president, Masterpiece Design Group; Kay Green, president, Kay Green Designs; Elizabeth Porter, general manager, Adams Homes; Angela Colston, vice president of sales and marketing, Ryland Homes; Deb Marton, vice president of sales, Centerline Homes; Halo Fernandez, national account executive, Sherwin Williams; Rick Caccavello, president, Central Kitchen & Bath; John Riddle, vice president, Turning Leaf Construction; and Kari Freeman, loan officer, Security National Mortgage.

The program was moderated by Randy Noles, chief operating officer of Florida Home Media, which publishes Florida Homebuyer Orlando and other home-related publications around the state. Over 100 industry professionals were in attendance, and on the following pages we share what they heard.

COMMUNITY DESIGN

Buyers want eclectic styles, walkability and amenities.

Whether buyers are Generation X, Generation Y or a mix of baby boomers and younger first-timers, the most appealing communities are conveniently located and offer a variety of housing types.

In fact, buyers rank location at the top of the list when looking for a new home, followed by architectural style and price range, according to a recent study.

Buyers are also attracted to safe, walkable neighborhoods with plenty of open space and walkable town centers that offer retail and professional services - hence the popularity of such neotraditional projects as Celebration and Baldwin Park.

As far as amenities are concerned, buyers want perks that enhance their enjoyment of life. That means resort-style waterparks, playgrounds and tot lots, hiking and biking trails, community clubhouses, wellness centers and sports fields.

Infill projects in urban areas are also gaining in popularity. One reason: close-in projects are likely already near such conveniences as parks, shopping, schools and medical facilities as well as entertainment venues and employment centers.

Most older neighborhoods feature homes in eclectic architectural styles and a variety of price points. Likewise, new developments are also offering an assortment of housing types, appealing to multiple buyer segments.

Buyers are increasingly turned off by cookie-cutter subdivisions. They expect the view from the street to be interesting and original.

ELEVATIONS

Less cluttered facades are more practical and beautiful.

Simplicity is back and curb appeal matters. Less cluttered facades are not only cleaner and more visually appealing, they're also less expensive to build. That's why today's designers often operate using the KESS principle: Keep Elevations Simple and Smart.

Enhancements can be accomplished using landscaping, which is less expensive and changeable, and bolder exterior colors. Bi- and tri-colored paint palettes provide variety and enhance curb appeal.

Transitional styles are those that are draw heavily from familiar looks while incorporating some modern twists. The front porch, for example, is an evergreen, but it can be replaced by an inviting portico.

Mixed-material accents have become more popular lately, although unnecessary cosmetic elements, such as faux dormers and extra gables, are passé.

 Mediterranean architecture, once a Florida mainstay, is giving way to such styles as West Indies, English Cottage and Prairie-style. Also, more attention is being paid to entryways, particularly doors, which come in a variety of styles and colors.

In short, buyers want their homes to be unique, not just a slightly modified version of the home next door. That's why even production builders are offering more customization options.

FLOORPLANS

Excess footage is out, smaller and smarter is in. 

It's back to basics in floorplans, with the trend shifting toward more efficient homes without a lot of wasted space.

What's in: smaller, smarter floorplans; larger everyday rooms; and simply designed house shapes. What's out: unnecessary luxury features; seldom-used formal rooms and excess square footage added simply for the sale of resale value.

Gone are the days of formal living rooms with squared off walls and limited views. Today's homes should create the illusion of expanded indoor space by using sliding or retractable doors and pass-through areas.

And a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living areas can increase usable space without building more square footage.

Speaking of outdoor living space, it's best to create multiple areas for specific uses. For example, an outdoor courtyard entry can be made dramatic with a mix of water and fire features. Smaller gardens and seating areas are cozy and welcoming.

New, more durable fabrics mean outdoor furnishings can be a stylish and comfortable as indoor furnishings. And the sky's the limit as far as equipping summer kitchens. Finally, balconies are perfect for relaxing and maximizing enjoyment of lake views.

Also, buyers are asking for more storage space. Garages, for example, should be big enough to hold bikes, kayaks and sports equipment as well as vehicles, but garage doors shouldn't dominate a home's façade.

A standard 18- or 19-foot-wide garage is no longer adequate for many buyers. There simply isn't enough room and vehicles end up stowed on the street, thereby making an otherwise lovely residential thoroughfare resemble a parking lot.

Closet and pantry organizational systems also help buyers get maximum use from the space they're buying.

Flexible spaces are also in demand; a home office, for example, can become a bedroom. Multipurpose areas are being outfitted for hobbyists and built-in desks are showing up in laundry rooms.

Floorplans that include a guest bedroom, or casita, at the front of the house with a private entry are also emerging in design plans. That's because of an increase in multigenerational living.

In the kitchen, space for multiple functions - eating, gathering and cooking - is important. Family-sized kitchen islands and breakfast nooks with lots of seating allows family and friends to gather comfortably.

Technology is a must throughout the home. Not only energy efficiency but also security systems and the ability to monitor and control home mechanical systems from a PC or a Smart Phone.

INTERIORS

Finding untraditional uses for traditional spaces.

Nobody likes clutter. But where does all the stuff go? Builders and designers are creating "drop zones," where shoes, backpacks and other items can be stored on benches and in lockers.

In master bathrooms, oversized soaker tubs are out. Today's homes feature large, luxurious showers with multiple showerheads, rain heads and spa jets.

Pool bathrooms are being built with floors that double as drains, which makes the space ideal for changing out of wet bathing suits. And kids' bathrooms are being fitted with "helper steps" at the sink, which allows easier access and fewer messes.

Laundry rooms are doubling as pet suites, with feeding and sleeping areas for furry family members.

Motorized screens are ideal for combining indoor and outdoor space and existing rooms can be adapted for new uses. For example, what was once a home theater or hobby room can be transformed into a pub-style area.

TRANSITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY LEAD THE WAY IN KITCHEN STYLING 

Two styles are leading the transformation in Central Florida kitchens: contemporary and transitional.

In contemporary designs, white lacquer cabinets surrounded by dark cherry walls in the kitchen are striking. Add a functional island with plenty of seating, floating shelves and use recycled materials to complete the look. In transitional designs, whites and grays are dominant.

From kitchens to bathrooms, new organizational tools are making homeowners' lives easier. Instead of cluttered countertops in the bathroom, designers are incorporating oversized cabinets with built-in outlets to keep accessories such as shavers, curling irons and hairdryers plugged in and out of sight. 

Medicine cabinets suspended from the ceiling and faucets that double as towel racks free up counterspace. Accented fixtures with polished chrome and nickel complete the contemporary look.

In kitchens, shelves to separate pots and pans make it simpler to organize and locate cooking utensils. Chrome pullout drawers under the sink work around the plumbing and are ideal for storing household cleaners. Utensil and glassware drawers, once flat and unorganized, have morphed into hanging pullouts.

Other new designs in the kitchen: faucets that are touch-sensitive and prep sinks with waterfalls that wash vegetable peelings into the island drain.

Appliances are now frequently integrated into panels and exhaust fans are concealed by colorful ventilation covers.

PICKING PAINT COLORS? THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT

Hot colors in 2012 trend are red, like a brilliant flower, a glowing ember or the earth's molten core. Blues are shades of clear water, faded denim and clear skies while greens evoke forests, seaweed, algae and moss.

Neutrals remain popular, in hues ranging from grain, pebbles, wood, clay and raw organic materials. Contrasting neutrals with brighter, darker colors provides definition and visual interest.

But how do you choose?

With Sherwin-Williams' Color Visualizer, you can digitally repaint your space. Or get inspired with Chip It! (letschipit.com), which instantly turns any online image into a palette using more than 1,500 colors.

With the mobile ColorSnap app, you can turn anything that inspires you - an illustration, a fabric, a flower - into paint colors. Capture an image with your smartphone and you'll be able to see the paint color as well as two complementary colors.