As evidenced by the 2014 Houzz & Home report, homeowners’ design preferences go well beyond kitchen islands and color palettes. At the 2014 Remodeling Show, Michael Stein of Houzz’s community team shared details from the report, along with trend and demographic information.
“The lion’s share of renovation dollars are being spent in kitchens and baths,” Stein said. But he noted that “a lot of people make assumptions about what’s desired and we found that some of that was different than expected.” The full Houzz & Home report is available on Houzz.com, but here are four design takeaways we spotted that can help differentiate your next project.
Address Outdoor Activities
Outdoor living spaces remain popular remodeling upgrades, but survey results show that outdoor activities go beyond grilling and entertaining on a deck. Consider making space in your outdoor living plans for raised planter beds, container gardens, and other non-lawn green spaces. Our Summer 2014 feature Breathing Rooms highlights San Francisco-based Feldman Architecture’s use of a green roof to complement a master suite (right). Beyond the plantings, don’t forget to light the home, both for utility and aesthetics. Two-thirds of survey respondents (65%) are adding lighting to their homes’ exteriors.
Play Up Organization
According to Stein, nine of the top 20 most-saved photos in Houzz ideabooks showcase “how to improve life through better use of space.” Simply put, homeowners want storage. Cabinet organizers, closet shelving, and creative hidden storage options will not only play well with your clients, but posting high-quality photos of the projects on Houzz could get your photos into more ideabooks. Platt Builders’ clever recycling center (left)is a perfect example of what homeowners are looking for, and won a Remodeling Design Award (RDA) from our sister publication Remodeling in 2013. On its face, the recycling center looks like a traditional hutch, but the cabinets borrow unused space beneath a staircase on the other side of the wall for a pull-out surprise.
Streamline the Shower In the bathroom, Houzz found that 80% of glass shower enclosures are now frameless, and their users like the trend. Frameless glass like the enclosure in this 2014 RDA-winning nautical project from Balding Brothers gives the bathroom a clean and open design compared to framed enclosures. And, let’s face it: you don’t want your painstaking bathroom design marred by a shower curtain.
Bathe in the Light
The Balding Brothers project also hits on a second bath-related finding. Stein says 41% of Houzz users want to add more ambient light to this room of the house. Transoms are one option, as used here, while skylights can also bring in natural light without concern of peeping neighbors. Both window types bring the benefits of daylighting into the space, and allow homeowners to better see the colors of their clothing or their makeup while dressing. For subtler illumination or accent lighting when it’s time to relax, try back-lit vanity mirrors.
