With the housing market improving over the last year, homeowners are concentrating more on kitchen and bathroom design, according to The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Residential architects are reporting the best business conditions since 2005 for custom design projects, along with high demand for remodeling and renovation projects. These findings are from the AIA Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2012, which focused specifically on kitchens and bathrooms.
“Kitchens have reclaimed their place as the true focal point of the home, with a growing emphasis on utilizing more technology,” said Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, and AIA chief economist. “There has also been renewed interest in integrating more household activities into this space.”
Some popular kitchen products and features identified by the survey include computer areas and recharging stations, integrated family space, a recycling center, universal design, larger pantry spaces, renewable countertop and flooring materials, drinking water filtration systems and high-end appliances.
“Along with a continued need for accessibility within bathrooms, the majority of products that are extremely popular promote energy efficiency and sustainability, such as LED lighting and water-saving toilets,” said Baker. Popular bath features highlighted by the survey include LED lighting, doorless showers, universal design, dual-flush toilets, radiant heated floors, hand showers and specialty showers.
Find out how to get clients to take the remodeling plunge.
