In addition to exposing the fragility of supply chains and people’s deep-seated fears about a shortage of toilet paper, the pandemic has also floated the need for functional spaces to the top. Covid altered the way we look at the world, our health, and our homes. Homebuilders across America witnessed the shift in the vision and thinking of prospective homeowners and have noted the patterns that are driving new home construction.
While dealing with material shortages and buying fervor, homebuyers are searching for a new construction home that accommodates the fluctuating and diverse needs of the modern family.
So what’s changed in the way people want their homes? How has a global pandemic changed how we live?
New Construction Homes in 2021 — Trends and Forecasts
The National Association of Home Builders began investigating this question as early as mid- 2020. Their surveys revealed that the average size of homes and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms are among the top changing features. That is not to mention the desire people have of spreading out, going out to the suburbs, and acquiring more space.
A survey conducted with prospective home buyers about how Covid has changed the way they envision their new home revealed that for some people covid did have an impact.
Home size remained relatively steady while 46% of people said that a home with four bedrooms was more preferable today.
New construction homes also led the way in terms of overall sales. Experts attribute this to several factors, including economic and social factors. The lack of home inventory drove interest in the new construction and speculative home market, as it led home buyers to focus their attention on move-in-ready homes and homes with existing smart and eco-friendly features.
Leading Home Features for the Post-pandemic Homeowner
The post-covid world will have to move on. It will have to continue. Part of the continuation is the fact that people will move forward with their lives and look towards their future as best as they can. Despite the hardships, people will learn, grow, and adapt.
Homebuilding always reflects that.
So here’s a list (as compiled by NAHB) of the features that are important for people in 2021:
- Laundry rooms
- Exterior lighting
- Ceiling fans
- Energy star windows and appliances
- Patios and front porches
- Kitchen and double sinks
- Walk-in pantries
What does this suggest? A going back to basic mentality.
Basics, of course, don’t have to be devoid of style and comfortable design. Most of the features are home-focused, they are not superfluous or decorative or flexing luxury. They are geared to enhancing productivity in the home. The homeowner of the 21st century—despite the access to a myriad of smart home technology, gadgets, and the like— is refocusing towards what emphasizes quality of life, convenience, and functionality.
That is not to say, of course, that there is no room for improvement in the way homebuilders approach these features and functional spaces. As home builders, that’s what we try to do. We design homes that boost productivity and quality of life, at the same time that they inspire with original designs.
Architects Weigh In on the Changes in Post-pandemic Home Design
Architects around the globe spoke recently about some of the more profound changes that they had noticed in new home design. Two trends seemed to emerge in these conversations:
- Embracing simpler lifestyles. And while this can mean different things to different people, it seems to manifest in an effort to maximize spaces of the home, utilize unused spaces (using the bottom of the stairs as a reading nook, for example), and increase the utility and functionality of every space.
- Inviting nature into the home in clever ways. Whether it’s expanding window space, adding sliding doors, french doors, or an entire glass wall with views to the outside, the modern homeowners seek to invite nature in with natural lighting, high ceilings, large windows, skylights, and other features.
Home Buyers Seek a Multi-functional Kitchen
One place of the home that is seeing major change is also the kitchen. While the open floor layout continues to be the favorite, people want to increase the functionality of the space by making kitchens more multi-functional and modern. Many homeowners are not completely opposed to adding a little bit of privacy to what has traditionally been wide open spacing between the kitchen and living room.
One way to do this is to add breakfast nooks, counters, breakfast bars, etc.
Multipurpose and Outside Living Spaces
In 2021, modern homeowners seek to make full use of every space inside and outside their homes. As experts predict, that fourth bedroom that ranked high on the new-features list is likely to serve as a home office, home gym, or other multi-purpose.
There is also a focus on making outside spaces liveable, comfortable, and more dynamic.
Quality Homes with Functional Floor Plans and Design
As El Paso’s premier homebuilder, Palo Verde Homes works to maintain functional floor plans that are modern, flexible, and adaptable to the demands of today’s family. As our lives change, so do our living spaces and we always want our homes to provide the comfort you need to thrive and live happy and productive lives.
Want to find out more about what we do and how we exceed all home building expectations in El Paso? Call us today and come view one of our homes!