At the height of the housing crisis, the worst affected areas in new home design were kitchens and bathrooms. For several years, owners of new homes were turning down popular and expensive accessories for their kitchens and bathrooms like water filtration systems, big pantries and natural wood cabinets. But as the AIA Home Design Trends Survey published recently indicates, these functions and more could see a return.
Renovation and remodeling experts want to take full advantage of renewed interest in these services that were once popular. Owners passing on functions to save money during construction are increasingly interested in having them installed after the fact. Meanwhile, some architects report an upward trend in the kitchen area of new home designs. What could it mean for all renovators and remodelers? More business.
Kitchens are receiving the most attention. 22 percent of respondents in the report said the size of the kitchen is growing in new home design. The rediscovered focus on size opens the possibility of remodeling and addition work that can be done in this popular and lucrative area of the home. Renewable resources such as bamboo, concrete and cork remain popular as home owners seek to go green with their kitchen remodels.
Bathrooms have not experienced the same reported growth as kitchens. While their size and amount is remaining stable, their design focus is shifting to emphasize accessibility. Speciality contractors are capitalizing on this generation of Americans staying in their homes longer than ever before as they demand safer and more accessible showers and baths. Showers without doors and easily-accessed baths are a focus in this area.
In general, the report recommends a trend of stabilization in the design of kitchens and bathrooms with notable rise in certain areas. Is this the beginning of a industry trend that kitchen and bath remodelers can ride to the bank, or just line noise in a recovering industry? Only time will tell.
Read the AIA's Fourth Quarter 2010 Home Design Trends Survey report.
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