6 Home Building Trends You Need To Know 2024
Taking on a major home building or renovation project can often feel overwhelming, with countless decisions to make. However, one effective way to streamline your choices is by staying informed about current trends. Whether you're selecting paint colors or planning a renovation, understanding what's trending can help guide your 2024 projects.
Recently, The Plan Collection, an online house plan company, unveiled their annual home design and building trend report, offering insights into the upcoming year's renovation landscape. According to their findings, 2024 will be a pivotal year for home renovations, focusing on optimizing existing spaces for maximum functionality and comfort.
Let's delve into some of the key trends highlighted in the report that can serve as inspiration for your next project.
Smart Homes Will Be The New Norm
As we continue to integrate assistants like Alexa and Siri into our households, The Plan Collection foresees a continued surge in AI technology throughout 2024. Laurel Vernazza, the home design expert at The Plan Collection, notes, "With this year’s unprecedented heat and the accessibility of AI, we're witnessing growing enthusiasm for sustainability and cutting-edge technology among homeowners, builders, and buyers." This trend is expected to influence various aspects of our homes, spanning from heating and cooling to electricity and security systems. Anticipate heightened automation and a significant emphasis on energy efficiency as key focal points in home design and renovation projects.
Using Eco-Friendly Materials
As the focus shifts towards smarter and more environmentally friendly homes, it's logical that 2024 will see a greater emphasis on sustainability across the board. According to The Plan Collection report, there will be a notable increase in renovation projects that prioritize reducing their carbon footprint. This trend is expected to lead to a greater demand for locally sourced materials and a heightened awareness of eco-conscious options throughout the renovation process.
Efficient Kitchens
As always, the kitchen retains its status as the heart of the home, and The Plan Collection anticipates several shifts in trends within this area for 2024. One notable prediction is the increased adoption of induction cooktops, driven by new home-building regulations aimed at reducing reliance on gas, mitigating fire risks, and minimizing exposure to hazardous fumes.
Moreover, there will be a focus on optimizing space in kitchen designs. Gone are the days of oversized kitchen islands, as 2024 will prioritize efficiency and smaller, more functional layouts. This trend manifests through designs centered around the traditional "kitchen triangle," the integration of walk-in pantries, the concealment of appliances, and the use of compact refrigerators to maximize space and enhance practicality.
Remodeling Still In High Demand
Due to the combination of high mortgage rates and inflated home prices, The Plan Collection observes that many homeowners will shift their focus towards optimizing their existing properties in the coming year. Laurel Vernazza highlights this trend, stating, "More homeowners are reevaluating their current space due to challenges in finding available homes for purchase."
This trend is expected to result in a surge in remodeling projects, both indoors and outdoors, as well as the refurbishment of basements and the conversion of garages into bonus rooms. Additionally, homeowners may explore alternative options such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which serve as standalone structures on the property. These ADUs can be utilized as guest houses, backyard bungalows, or multi-generational housing solutions, offering versatility and flexibility to homeowners seeking to optimize their existing space.
Outdoor Living Upgrades
When it comes to outdoor renovations, The Plan Collection observes that the focus is not solely on adding new structures or extra rooms to backyards. Instead, there's an anticipated increase in the creation of new exterior spaces designed for outdoor living in 2024.
In addition to backyard enhancements, we can anticipate a rise in raised outdoor living areas, such as second-floor decks, balconies, and rooftop lounges. These elevated spaces offer unique opportunities for relaxation and entertainment, taking advantage of available vertical space.
Furthermore, the evolution of outdoor spaces isn't just about providing more room for leisure. The growing popularity of pickleball across the U.S. has caught the attention of homeowners, and The Plan Collection predicts this trend will continue to gain momentum.
In response to this trend, homeowners are increasingly interested in installing their own pickleball courts, whether in their backyards or driveways. This reflects a desire for active outdoor recreation spaces that cater to evolving leisure preferences.
One Story Homes
For anyone who is looking to build a new home in 2024, The Plan Collection notes a shift in preferred layouts. Now, one-story, ranch-style homes are on the rise, and the brand suggests this is down to both convenience and flexibility to expand in the future.
But while previous ranch homes might have felt darker or slightly claustrophobic, 2024 trends are pointing toward more windows, high ceilings, and open floorplans.