The Evolution of Residential Housing: How Modern Demands Are Shaping New Home Designs

Today’s modern lifestyles are driving significant change in the residential housing industry. While certain home designs were previously thought to appeal to all demographics, the entrance of the Millenial and Gen Z generational cohorts into the home-buying picture has dramatically shifted how new homes are being designed.

These first-time buyers demand more from their homes than merely a place to call home. They’re now looking for places that integrate technology for enhanced convenience and homes that are kinder to the planet and their utility bills. The rise in remote work is also having an effect, with homes no longer just living spaces but working spaces too.

So, let’s look at how today’s leading home builders are shifting their approach to residential home design.

The Rise of Open-Plan Living

One of the biggest hallmarks of modern home design has become open-plan living. The concept, characterized by larger undivided living spaces, is almost a prerequisite for new homes.

It’s easy to understand why. They immediately create a more connected living environment. Without walls and doors in the way, kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms become one cohesive space. Suddenly, these areas are perfect for socializing and entertaining. At the same time, the more open layout makes the home feel bigger, even if the square footage is exactly the same as a home with a more compartmentalized design approach.

Open floor plans also deliver enhanced functionality and practicality to modern homeowners. For instance, they make supervising children easy and entertaining a breeze. Conversation can still flow during meal prep, and these spaces can be repurposed as the day progresses. A living room can be a playroom for toddlers during the day and the perfect relaxation space for mom and dad in the evening.

Lastly, there are the less obvious benefits of improved air circulation and more efficient heating and cooling. 

Increasing Focus on Sustainability

Sustainable living isn’t necessarily a new phenomenon, but the trend has undoubtedly picked up steam in recent years. And while the drive is somewhat driven by concern about the climate, there’s also a massive shift toward focusing on energy efficiency due to the associated long-term cost savings and increased comfort.

As a result, modern home designs feature better insulation. Better insulated homes remain warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and, crucially, reduce energy consumption. Combined with the latest advances in construction materials (which also have insulative properties), a consistent internal room temperature is much easier to achieve, and homeowners notice not just the added comfort but also the impact on their monthly utility bills. 

Some new home builders are taking things even further. Take LGI Homes in Austin, for example. In select communities, they employ a shared district heating/cooling system, provide roof-based solar panels as standard, and integrate smart tech such as automatic thermostats. In their Whisper Valley community, this offers homeowners the potential of Net Zero living – the premise that any personal emissions you generate are totally offset from the renewable energy created by your home.

Further features that new home builders generally incorporate today include Low-E double-pane windows, LED lighting, and highly efficient appliances. These features are undoubtedly eco-friendly, but homeowners are perhaps more impressed by the living experience this creates for them, including having more control over their home’s energy consumption. 

Smart Home Technology Integration 

Another significant step in modern home design has been the ever-increasing integration of smart home technology. Once considered a luxury, smart home technology is now considered a standard feature for many home buyers, with 86% of Millennials willing to pay more to secure a smart home. 

Of course, there’s the obvious added convenience this technology brings to daily living, but it’s also about quality of life. Take the smart thermostats mentioned above. They give homeowners the power to precisely control the temperature of their own home from anywhere. The same applies to smartphone-controlled lighting and security systems, including smart locks. 

With the world on the edge of widespread Internet of Things (IoT) adoption, the number and types of networked home devices (including appliances) will only increase. We’re only a couple of years from your fridge telling you you’re low on milk via a notification on your cell phone. Today’s homebuyers want to be ready for that future. 

Modern Home Design Adapting to Remote Work Needs

Thanks to the pandemic, the knock-on effects of the seismic revolution in the way we work are being felt in modern homes. Consequently, home builders include versatile spaces that are much better suited to the work-from-home (WFH) lifestyle.

The so-called “flex” room is a feature that wasn’t seen even as recently as a few years ago. These rooms, usually positioned away from the home’s main activity hubs, allow modern homeowners to do as they please. In many cases, they play at least two roles in the home. A typical combination is a guest bedroom and home office. But there are all kinds of use cases.

The point is that including a multi-functional space reflects the change in the current work landscape, which increasingly blurs the line between personal and professional. Home buyers are no longer just looking at homes as places to live but as places to work, places to work out, or places to carry out other hobbies. The rise of the flex room is a direct result of this trend.

Consider Modern Design Trends as You Search for Your Next Home

If you’re considering your next home, it will pay to explore and do a little further research on the trends discussed above to see if your future home will be able to cater to your needs in 5, 10, and even 15 years from now. The integration of technology, in particular, is something to pay attention to, as it will future-proof your investment to some extent.

The features discussed above are becoming standard for a reason. They don’t just enhance convenience. They deliver comfort and a higher quality of life. So whether it’s the flexibility of design, energy efficiency, or the integration of cutting-edge technology, homes constructed by forward-thinking builders such as LGI Homes and others represent the future of residential living.

So, look out for these changes as you embark on finding a home that aligns with your contemporary lifestyle.