In home renovations, extravagance is out, practicality in
Goodbye monster three-car garages, au pair suites, media/home theater centers and kids’ wings. Not to mention “pet rooms’’ and dual master bedrooms.
And, especially in the case of the oversized garages – and I guess kids’ suites and pet rooms, though still not sure what those are – goodbye and good riddance.
At least until the next housing boom/bubble hits.
Anyway, these intriguing trends come from the American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends from the second quarter.
And as the focus fades on upscale amenities, there’s also rising interest in more practical home renovations, finds the survey of 500 architects across the country.
For one, home offices are now the most popular special function room, according to 40 percent of the architects surveyed.
In fact, the home office is just one of a few areas, when it comes to home renovations, where interest appears to be growing significantly.
The survey attributes this to increased telecommuting, as well as more folks striking off on their own and starting their own businesses after getting downsized.
Seems like a reasonable call to me.
Here’s another telling stat – the mudroom is now more popular than the media/home theater room. (Just over 18 percent of the architects surveyed said mud rooms were the most popular home renovation feature, compared to 16.2 percent who identified home theaters.)
Here’s another encouraging sign: Despite the downturn, homeowners continue to spend on energy efficiency options.
There is continued, high interest in alternative insulation, such a foam panels, and added attic insulation. (While a slight drop off from last year, 68 percent and 65 percent of architects, respectively, report rising interest in these features.)
There’s also continued high interest in solar panels, energy management systems and the like.
Sure beats pet rooms, kids’ suites and three-car garages.
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