2013 Home Design Trends

Every year, the Best of American Living Awards recognize key trends that will shape home design in the coming year and beyond. Sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders, the national-level awards recognize excellent design in single-family and multifamily homes of all types and sizes.

The 2013 awards were conferred in January at the International Builder Show in Las Vegas. Sixty-five design projects completed by the nation’s most innovative builders, remodelers, architects, developers, land planners and interior designers where recognized.

Here are key design trends of the winning projects:

• High quality detailing. Regardless of home size, homeowners want authentic, quality detailing in all areas of their homes. Historic and more traditional styles of architecture are popular, focusing on scale, relative proportions and accurate sizing in relationship to the overall composition.
• Bathroom style and features. Bathrooms are becoming more compact, while maintaining an open feeling. Extra walls are being eliminated, the amount of floor space between fixtures is being reduced, and transparent glass enclosures are popular. Bathrooms are being made to feel like spa-like with natural light, airy colors and minimal clutter.
• Kitchen features. The kitchen remains at the top of the homeowner’s priority list. Trends include Carrara marble, cooking hearths and intricate light fixtures. Mega-islands are also popular for prepping meals, cooking and socializing.
• Specialty areas. Wine rooms, pet-friendly spaces and outdoor cooking spaces are finding their way into floor plans. Outdoor features are particularly popular as extensions of the home, even for homeowners with modest budgets.
• Lighting that illuminates. The right lighting adds texture and color to a room. Spaces with lots of natural light are being enhanced with intricate lighting fixtures – even crystal chandeliers.
• Ceiling treatments. It’s not just about what you put on the walls and floors anymore. Thoughtful material and pattern choices for ceiling treatments can change the feel of a room. Adding color creates drama and warmth, while tray ceilings, barrel vaults and coffers add depth and texture.
• Multi-generational living options. Many design elements are allowing homeowners to age in place, like multiple master bedrooms and spaces to put in elevators. Universal design is becoming stylish with open floor plans and curb-less showers.

You can see the winning home designs here.

And, we would be remiss not to mention that the warm appeal of a flickering fireplace resonates with the majority of homeowners as well, as fireplaces are one of the top three features new homeowners request*.

*According to the National Association of Homebuilders