Home design: 3 emerging trends

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) annually conducts its Best in American Living Awards (BALA). These awards, open to builders and design professionals, acknowledge that good design "is not and should not be limited to high-priced and custom homes."

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.

Editor’s note: The following item is republished with permission of houzz.com. See the original article: 8 Influential Home Design Trends for 2012.

When speaking about these trends at the International Builders Show, held in February in Orlando, Fla., 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.

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.

Photo by Herbie Rooprai

This project: Gold Award, One-of-a-Kind Home, 4,001–6,500 square feet; Private residence, Chicago

Project Team:

Architect/Designer: Kenneth Brinkman, Chicago
Builder/Developer: Environs Development Inc., Chicago
Interior Designer: Amy May, Environs Development, Chicago

Design trend No. 2: outdoor spaces as an extension of living space

Whether for a single-family house or a multifamily building, homebuyers are looking for private outdoor spaces that blend seamlessly with the indoors. This trend cuts across geographic regions, being as true in the colder sections of the country as in the warmer, milder areas.

Photo by Eric Figge

This project: Platinum Award, Detached Home up to 2,000 square feet; Siena at Laguna Altura, Irvine, Calif.

Project Team:

Architect/Designer: Bassenian | Lagoni, Newport Beach, Calif.
Builder: Irvine Pacific, Irvine, Calif.
Interior Designer: Austin Johnson Interiors, Irvine, Calif.
Developer: Irvine Company, Irvine, Calif.
Land Planner: Irvine Company, Irvine, Calif.

Design trend No. 3: 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.

Photo by Jim Kirby Photography

This project: Platinum Award, Interior Design, Kitchen; Brownstones of Brambleton, Ashburn, Va.

Project Team:

Architect/Designer: Lessard Design Inc., Reston, Va.
Builder: Miller and Smith, Mclean, Va.
Interior Designer: Carlyn and Company, Great Falls, Va.
Developer: Brambleton Group LLC, Brambleton, Va.
Land Planner: Parker Rodriguez, Alexandria, Va.

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