Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
Issue link: http://kitchenbathdesign.epubxp.com/i/432557
Consumer Buying Trends { Demographics & buying patterns for the home } December 2014 ForResidentialPros.com | 9 SALES OFFICES EAST/SOUTHEAST Joanne Naylor 540 Lee Court Wyckoff, NJ 07481 Phone: 201/891-9170; Fax: 201/839-9161 Email: Joanne@solabrands.com WEST/SOUTHWEST Reed Fry 20532 El Toro Road, Suite 101 Mission Viejo, CA 92692 Phone: 949/223-1088; Fax: 949/223-1088 Email: reed@fry-comm.com MIDWEST Paul DeGrandis 724 12th St. Wilmette, IL 60091 Phone: 847/920-9513 Email: Paul@solabrands.com DIGITAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Tim Steingraber Phone: 773/858-4256 Email: Tim@solabrands.com PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE/CLASSIFIED ADS Nancy Campoli 558 Prospect Avenue River Vale, NJ 07675 Phone: 800/547-7377 x6127 Email: Nancy@solabrands.com EDITORIAL OFFICES Janice Anne Costa, Editor P.O. Box 285 Bethpage, NY 11714 Phone: 516/605-1426 Email: Janice@kitchenbathdesign.com Anita Shaw, Managing Editor P.O. Box 6 East Islip, NY 11730 Phone: 631/581-2029 Email: Anita@solabrands.com CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS Sola Group Inc. 724 12th St. Wilmette, IL 60091 Phone: 847/920-9513 Eliot Sefrin, Publisher Emeritus Email: Eliot@solabrands.com Paul DeGrandis, President Email: Paul@solabrands.com Marie Snow, Administrator Email: Marie@solabrands.com REPRINT SERVICES For reprints and licensing please contact Nick Iademarco at Wright's Media 877/652-5295 ext. 102 or niademarco@wrightsmedia.com. SUBSCRIPTIONS, BACK ISSUES 724 12th St. Wilmette, IL 60091 Phone: 847/920-9513 MAILING LIST RENTAL Elizabeth Jackson Tel: 847-492-1350 ext. 18 Email: ejackson@meritdirect.com Web site: www.ForResidentialPros.com ® Homeowners Reported Seeking Flexible, Multi-Generational Designs H ouseholds are responding to the ongoing housing market recovery by continuing to add more space and design solutions that will allow them to age in place – a positive sign for both the new construction and re- modeling sectors. That's the key fnding from the latest "Home Design Trends Survey" conducted quarterly by the American Institute of Ar- chitects among a panel of some 500 architecture frms that concentrate on the residential sector. According to the survey, which covered the second quarter of 2014, special-function rooms, which often disappeared from homes during the economic downturn, are now reappearing (see related graphic below). Similarly, home features that were often eliminated during the downturn are now increasingly returning to home designs, the AIA said. Home automation features, as well as products that promote sustainability, are also showing up with increas - ing frequency in both new and remodeled homes, according to the Washington, DC-based trade association. According to the AIA, outdoor living areas are growing in popularity, while home ofces also continue to be popular, "as many workers fnd telecommuting an accepted option, while the number of self-employed workers working out of their home remains strong." Similarly, mud rooms also remain an attractive option, the AIA said, adding that there has also been "a strong increase" in interest in au pair/in-law suites. The recent interest in these areas is likely due to the grow- ing employment numbers in our economy, which is increasing the need for in-home childcare. In addition, "as many house- holds become caretakers for aging relatives, separate living suites have become popular options for accommodations," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker. "Homeowners want to ensure that their homes can sup- port the needs of aging parents who may be staying for an extended period of time and other visitors with accessibility needs," Baker noted. With the growing interest by many households in special- function rooms in particular, and more space in general, interest is also growing in special home features, according to the AIA. "While some features focus on energy efciency and sus- tainable design (for example, extra insulation) and evolving household composition (for example, homes that accommodate multiple generations), most of the popular special features of homes focus on improving accessibility around the home," the AIA observed. "Much of this has to do with our aging population and the desire of this population to make sure their homes accommo- date their emerging needs, the association said. "Additionally, many households want to ensure that their homes can sup- port the needs of aging parents who may be staying for an extended period of time and other visitors with accessibility needs. Ramps and elevators, frst-foor master bedrooms, on- grade home entry and easy-to-use features are all near the top of the list of features growing in popularity, and that also may improve the accessibility characteristics of a home. Home automation and sustainability are also key motiva- tions behind popular home products, according to surveyed residential architects who point to wireless telecommunications and data systems, long-range electrical controls/smart-home systems, automated lighting controls and central (distributed) audio/video as among the leaders in popularity growth. "With consumers generally more comfortable with emerg- ing technologies, and the prices of many falling as production volumes increase, home automation applications should con- tinue to grow in popularity, the AIA said, adding that systems that promote increased energy efciency and sustainable home design continue to be popular. "Energy management systems, solar panels, electric docking stations for cars and geothermal heating/cooling heat pumps are all on the list of popular home systems," the AIA said. Sustainable products that top the list of those growing in popularity include LED lighting, energy-efcient products such as triple-glazed windows, tank-less water heaters, Energy Star-rated appliances, water-saving devices and reclaimed/ salvaged materials. As refected in the graphic above, households are responding to the ongoing housing market recovery by continuing to add more space and special-function rooms – such as outdoor living rooms, home ofces, mud rooms and au-pair/in-law suites – which often disappeared during the economic downturn. Home automation features, as well as products that promote sustainability, are also reported to be gaining in interest. Source: American Institute of Architects THE GROWING POPULARITY OF SPECIAL-FUNCTION ROOMS IN HOME DESIGN % of respondents reporting popularity 'increasing' minus % reporting 'decreasing' 2014 2013 2012 Outdoor Living Areas 63 61 49 Home Offces 38 36 36 Mud Rooms 37 44 33 Exercise/Fitness Rooms 8 0 -15 Au-Pair/In-law Suites 39 26 n/a Storm Rooms/Safe Rooms 6 7 -15