Although home design and building trends don’t typically experience monumental change year after year, The House Plan Company in Eugene, Oregon has recognized shifts in home buyer requests that align with nationwide trends that are expected to continue in the new year. From expanded outdoor living to finding new opportunities to reduce energy demands, to placing a greater importance on dedicated workspaces designed for spending more than just a few hours in at a time, homeowners are evaluating a variety of ways to “future proof” their homes.
“The past two years have demonstrated the need for homes to be flexible. Being able to adapt to work from home, develop hobbies, express oneself creatively, gather or find personal space—all of these needs have proven to be important considerations,” said Rick McAlexander, CEO of The House Plan Company. “Green building is also enjoying a resurgence in popularity as more homeowners are asking what can be done to improve energy efficiency and to ensure the home is ‘solar ready’.”
Some of the major home design trends to watch in 2022 include:
[Quote section]
[Product Hero section #1]
[Product Hero section #2]
[Product Hero section #3]
[Product Hero section #4]
[Product Hero section #5]
[Closing text section]
The biggest lesson learned over the past year? Consider future needs alongside current needs. Home buyers are encouraged to give thought to how they might see themselves living in their home under evolving conditions. While anticipating a global pandemic, shelter in place or remote work may have been impossible to imagine or plan for in 2019, considering how a home might be lived in five to 10 years in the future is important.
When asked what building decisions could start to generate traction in 2022 and beyond, McAlexander noted that “as the concept of net zero housing advances, we will likely see increased interest in these types of homes. That said, achieving net zero is not something that can be done without specific site considerations and adaptation. It will require participation by a large number of specialties to be implemented.”
