2014 Top Home Architectural Trends

In 2013, the housing market staged a convincing comeback with steadily increasing sales and rising property value. The U.S. Bureau of the Census reports that 2013 new homes sales were at their highest since 2009, with more than 800,000 homes sold within the year. This is about 100,00 more than the previous year’s sales, and market researchers are predicting that 2014 will be no different; home buyers will continue to snatch up new home construction at a rapid pace.

As home buyers scour the housing market and become more savvy this year, many of them will look for emerging trends and modern construction that incorporate new home designs and practicality to create the perfect home. Here are some architectural trends that will serve as valuable home buying tips for home buyers.

• Green Construction. Most industries are working at creating more energy efficient processes, and home building is no different. One of the best home buying tips that any homeowner can use is working with a builder to optimally insulate their home. What are now being called “passive homes,” is a combination of PV (photovoltaic) panels in the roof to attract solar heat for the house, insulation that allows for low thermal bridging, an airtight thermal envelope around the house, and a superior ventilation system that includes heat recovery. The overall effect of this kind of home is that its design allows for maximum comfort and minimal energy usage, which effectively reduced monthly energy bills.
• Home Spa Relaxation. Creating a home spa is at the top of home buyers lists, complete with a luxury tub that includes heat and jet settings, a whirlpool bath, and also a spacious walk-in shower that has comfortable seating, much like sauna at the gym, but very private. Home spas have increased by 10% in the last year, and with people adding steam rooms to their spa experience, homes are becoming the ultimate I-need-health-day getaway. The idea is to make home a haven, and a place to relax and unwind.
• Lone Stone Wall. Columns have always given homes an air of grandeur with their nod to classical architecture, but this year takes the idea of columns and turns it rustic. Many homeowners are heading back to nature with natural flooring, chunks of wood for countertops and tables, and adding free-standing walls of stone that act as design centerpieces. The walls can be created using textured, unfinished, and barely symmetrical pieces of stone from floor to ceiling to give a home the feel of nature and the cozy outdoors. These stone walls also add visual interest and are a design eye-catcher.