2010 Home Design Trends

By Rebecca R. Newsome, MIRM

Keeping up with what’s hot and what’s not can be a little overwhelming in today’s changing attitudes towards function and fashion. Armed with info obtained from “in the know” industry professionals, New Homes & Ideas presents the top 10 home design trends of 2010.

Colors straight from the crayon box

As in years past, color is important. The difference in 2010 is that colors are trending to optimistic, vibrant hues, such as sunny yellows, citrus-y oranges, fire engine reds, and ripe plum purples. “Everyone is looking for optimism in their lives,” says Joe Duffus, President of Maryland-based Builders Design, a nationally acclaimed design firm. “Lively color helps them get there.”

Alaina Money, Sales Manager of Durham-based Garman Homes, says her company includes the ability to custom paint one room of a new home any color the buyer wants at no additional charge. “It’s a simple way we’ve found to delight our buyers,” says Money. “Color personalizes a home.”

Less is more

Although the “Not So Big®” house popularized by esteemed architect Sarah Susanka was introduced over a decade ago, it took the great recession to kick the McMansion obsession to the curb for many of us. Today’s consumers are more interested in functional homes with a creative use of space.

Cottage-style homes have made a come-back, such as the line created by Cary-based Impact Design-Build, Inc. These ENERGY STAR® certified, green-built homes, range in size from 1,318 to 2,000 square feet, with value-packed standard features and amenities (think granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, gleaming hardwoods, and ceramic tile floors). This is evidence of the fact that today’s consumers prefer putting their money in amenities that enhance their lifestyles over a huge house with little to no character.

Take it outside

Southern Landscape Professionals

No doubt about it, outdoor living is huge. After grueling hours spent working, today’s consumers want alternative living spaces in an abundance of forms, such as terraces, decks, screened porches, courtyards, and pergolas. Remember Grandma’s concrete patio, with a couple of folding lawn chairs by the grill on wheels? That’s not what we’re talking about here!

We’re talking about outdoor environments with indoor amenities. According to Steve Wade of Matthews & Wade Building Company in Cary, the request for screened porches with gas fireplaces and entertainment niches for flat screen TVs has increased, as has the request for outdoor fireplaces and cooking stations.

“Outdoor living and entertainment areas can result in any number of configurations,” says Wade. “Quite popular is the installation of an outdoor fireplace in combination with a ‘grill island’ consisting of built-in sinks, storage, and countertop workspace. Comfort and ease are what it’s all about.”

Cliff Zinner, a Partner with Hagood Homes and builder of Chapel Hill’s active adult Chapelwood community weighs in on the subject. “In the 55-plus age group, customers are telling us they love our intimate backyards accented by covered porches and courtyards as well as the outdoor feel of our sunrooms,” says Zinner. “People want to relax, and these areas provide the ability to do just that.”

Luxury baths rock

Photo courtesy of Wood Wise Design & Remodeling

Guess what we’ve heard repeatedly? Hardly anyone takes a bath anymore! (And we thought it was just us.) We’ve learned that fewer master baths include tubs today; instead, many luxury baths include no tub, allowing space for fantastic showers. Hank Wall, President of Raleigh-based Wood Wise Design & Remodeling, says that at least half of his clients don’t want a tub in the master bath anymore. They’re putting their money into a wonderful shower instead, with multiple fixtures such as rainheads, body sprays, and adjustable hand sprays. Easy-to-clean walk-in showers without doors are popular, with hidden niches for bath products.

Also popular in today’s bathrooms are a mix of specialty tile sizes and textures in harmony with solid surface countertops. “We’ve been utilizing remnants of gorgeous granite, quartz, and engineered stone left over from kitchen installations for our bathroom countertop needs,” says Wall. “Since less countertop space is needed in baths, remnants are often more than enough to accommodate even luxury baths. Customers love the savings they get from going this route.”

Style is a big part of lifestyle

Although today’s consumers want function and comfort in home design, they also want panache. Examples in a broad sense include flowing, open floorplans and green features that mesh with overall home design (as in the utilization of ENERGY STAR® appliances, tankless water heaters, built-in recycling bins, and 9' and 10' ceilings vs. soaring heights). Other examples include Craftsman-style interior beadboard doors, glass and textured tile inlays in kitchen backsplashes, and resilient, industrial tile flooring in appealing patterns in craft rooms for easy clean-up of paint and art supplies. Function and comfort can be beautiful, and in fact, must be, to satisfy today’s consumer.

Kitchens rule

The kitchen remains the hub of the home. As gathering places for home owners with a passion for preparing meals and entertaining, in-style kitchens open to family living and

Photos courtesy of H. Glazer Builder, Inc.

recreational areas. Other square footage is being cut back, if necessary, in order to provide space for the kitchen and all its accoutrements; with epicurean interests on the rise, cooking equipment has become all-important.

“One of the biggest trends I’ve seen is the move towards commercial grade appliances,” says Harold Glazer, President of H. Glazer Builder, Inc. of Raleigh. “Refrigerators and freezer drawers look like they’re built into the cabinetry. Although the industry has used the term ‘gourmet kitchen’ for years, today’s kitchens really are gourmet.
They are the elaborate focal points of homes.”

Kitchens at Toscana in Cary meet today’s trends with the inclusion of stainless steel appliances, built-in microwaves and ovens, recessed lighting, and staggered-height ‘castle’ cabinetry. “Not only do these kitchens fill culinary needs,” says Mark Ward, ForeverHome Vice President of Sales, “they’re inviting to family and friends in their visual appeal.”

Specialty rooms for specialty interests

People aren’t interested in museum living rooms anymore; they’d rather put their money in functional home offices, music rooms, and craft rooms. Charging stations for mobile and wireless technology, unheard of just a few years ago, are increasingly in demand.

Dedicated homework areas are on the upswing too. “We’re remodeling areas off kitchens to include countertops with file drawers and data network connections so that kids can get their homework done away from the TV and other distractions,” says Steve Wade. “Another great benefit is that moms can easily keep an eye on what their kids are doing online.”

Here a light, there a light, everywhere a light-light

Downlights, task lights, accent lights… These all reign in current lighting trends. What’s the difference in each type? Downlights provide general lighting in the form of pendants, ceiling lights, and wall sconces. Task lights are utilized over kitchen countertops and in stairwells. Accents lights add intrigue to a space.

Hank Wall says that he’s seen a trend in the installation of rope lighting (clear tubing with twinkle lights) in crown molding and on
cabinet tops to give ceilings a nice glow. “In bedrooms and on porches it emanates a romantic feel that customers love,” says Wall. “It’s an inexpensive way to add pizzazz.”

Curb appeal is everything

We know this to be true without any in-depth research: Cookie-cutter homes just aren’t hip. Homes need character to make an impact, and it all begins on what we see from the street. Making the grade today are home exteriors with a mix of fiber cement, stone, brick, and shake accents. Architectural elements such as inviting front porches and interesting artisan glass or multi-paneled entry doors are still hits, as are garage doors spiced up to include windows, panels, and stamping.

Mudrooms and cubbies and storage, oh my

Photo courtesy of Matthews & Wade Building Company

In our quest to organize, mudrooms have become a must-have feature in today’s homes. Many of these spaces, called owner’s entry areas by some, include benches with hooks and cubbies for jackets, shoes, backpacks, car seats, and the like to keep these frequently-used items out of kitchens and other living areas. Some mudrooms feature built-in message boards for family members to leave each other notes and reminders. Small in size, huge in function. How did we ever live without this space?

The same question applies to adequate storage. Everyone needs it, from families just getting started to those downsizing. A review of plans for homes under construction as well as homes in renovation will evidence the following statement as fact: Lots and lots of storage is a must.

So there you have it, the top home design trends of 2010. check out these trends via the abundance of open houses held regularly throughout the area by builders and remodelers. you might decide it’s time for a little design fine-tuning of your own!

Rebecca R. Newsome, MIRM is a freelance writer