Never before has the comfort of home been more critical than today. As we head into the latter half of 2021, we are forever changed by what home life looks like. This past year, families discovered being together in a whole new light. 

Working from home while children were in online schooling was not the easiest at times; the idea of being together and having meals became the highlight of the day. Moving into 2022, the home building industry is booming, and people are rethinking what space is really important in their homes. Work from home is a new life trend that may stay for longer than we all think, and executives opt to leave the cityscapes for a more open and welcoming space where they aren’t confined. 

Custom Built New Home Trends for 2021

 Separate Areas:

To accommodate this new way of life meant families had to rearrange their home and lifestyle to provide home offices, schooling spaces, and workout areas. This new need for critical spaces created a shift in the trends for new luxury homes. We all soon realized that the open concept so popular in the past may not be practical and that a lack of privacy is essentially a lack of function. New homes will have to be more flexible with closed layouts to provide privacy and separation when needed. When your residence is also your office, gym, and the children’s school, the need for separation is essential.

Home Office:

Working from home is another trend that made a huge splash and seems to be becoming the norm for the foreseeable future. It’s estimated that nearly half the American workforce will be working from home for some time, requiring homes to have a designated workspace or office for privacy and concentration. Without the ability to get deep focused work consistently, productivity and profitability can be in jeopardy. 

Grand Kitchen Spaces:

While privacy will be the trend moving forward, one thing that is highly desirable in new custom homes is a large, open kitchen. The heart of the house became the kitchen in the past year, and families want an open, multi-functioning space allowing everyone to gather and be in one area while meals are being prepared and consumed. Research reveals that a majority of homeowners want a kitchen that functions in various ways. Massive kitchen islands and updated commercial appliances are emerging as a design trend.

Get Outdoors:

The outdoor space of a home has always been important. Of the many new trends stemming from the current pandemic, the outdoor area is becoming the forefront of design ideas. Outdoor kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms give more spaces and places to enjoy as we spend more time in the home. Design features include outdoor compatible sound systems and televisions, and wet bars. Swimming pools sales reached an all-time high this past year, and it appears the trend will continue.

Home Workouts:

• The demand for home gyms will continue to rise. At home exercise equipment sales have skyrocketed, and the wait to receive your equipment can be months. In locations like Las Vegas, when it’s 100° outside, the option to work outdoors in the Summer months is more complicated, so that the home gym will be a must-have consideration in a new luxury custom home design.

Technology

Technology and intelligent home features are becoming key features and will continue to evolve in 2021 and beyond. Automated functionality and smartphone integrations are handy with the new innovative home integration features connecting with appliances like touch-less window treatments, refrigerators, coffee-makers, faucets, and toilets.

Other custom home design trends in 2021 include large laundry or mudrooms, areas for home gardening to provide fresh fruits and vegetables, dedicated playrooms, and spacious master bathrooms for private retreats.

While 2020-2021 proved challenging for many, the challenges also gave us insights that truly make your custom luxury home a livable and functioning sanctuary.