9 Ways Home Design Has Changed in the Last 10 Years
What are homeowners doing now that they didn't do a decade ago? Read on to see what's changed
Over the past 10 years the way we design our homes has changed a lot. Our priorities are different now, and technology and rising house prices have altered the way we look at home renovation. Here are some of the things homeowners are doing differently today than they did a decade ago.
Future proof your pad
More and more clients are planning well into the future when they’re renovating their homes. In the past many decisions were based on immediate needs, especially when homeowners felt they would be trading up and moving on.
Nowadays many people in their 40s are making design choices to allow them to be able to enjoy their homes in their retirement years just as much as they will now. This kind of future proofing will allow their homes to adapt as their circumstances and needs change over time.
Planning for a ground floor bedroom for example is very common now. This may be a second living space that could be converted in the future. The plumbing could be installed to allow a bathroom or shower room to be easily fitted at a later date.
More and more clients are planning well into the future when they’re renovating their homes. In the past many decisions were based on immediate needs, especially when homeowners felt they would be trading up and moving on.
Nowadays many people in their 40s are making design choices to allow them to be able to enjoy their homes in their retirement years just as much as they will now. This kind of future proofing will allow their homes to adapt as their circumstances and needs change over time.
Planning for a ground floor bedroom for example is very common now. This may be a second living space that could be converted in the future. The plumbing could be installed to allow a bathroom or shower room to be easily fitted at a later date.
Choose function over style
A well functioning home is top of everyone’s list and nowadays builders are focusing more on designing homes that are as practical as possible. There is less tendency to add too many bathrooms and instead there’s more focus on storage and the inclusion of utility spaces. Homes are less maxed out, giving owners the chance to grow into the space.
A well functioning home is top of everyone’s list and nowadays builders are focusing more on designing homes that are as practical as possible. There is less tendency to add too many bathrooms and instead there’s more focus on storage and the inclusion of utility spaces. Homes are less maxed out, giving owners the chance to grow into the space.
Say farewell to the unused room
In the past many homes had a room that was saved for guests – a formal dining room, or extra living space perhaps. People expect their homes to work and run efficiently now, so the idea of an unused room seems pretty impractical.
At the same time we’re seeing a desire to have a quiet room away from the busy open-plan spaces in the rest of our homes. These rooms are informal areas, however – a place to relax, read or watch TV – rather than somewhere to entertain only on special occasions.
In the past many homes had a room that was saved for guests – a formal dining room, or extra living space perhaps. People expect their homes to work and run efficiently now, so the idea of an unused room seems pretty impractical.
At the same time we’re seeing a desire to have a quiet room away from the busy open-plan spaces in the rest of our homes. These rooms are informal areas, however – a place to relax, read or watch TV – rather than somewhere to entertain only on special occasions.
Bring the outdoors in
Homeowners are tapping into the potential of their own back yards. Investing in this area of the property has become hugely popular and it’s transforming the way people live, socialise and use their homes. Regardless of the size of your garden, consider working it into your home improvement and link your ground floor living space with the outside.
The key is to make the transition between inside and out as seamless as possible. Your choice of finish will have a big part to play in how successful this transition is. Choosing a floor surface that can be used internally as well as externally works wonderfully well, while floor-to-ceiling glass doors is another successful way to link inside and out. Whether the doors are left open or closed, the boundary between the two areas is blurred.
Check out these sliding door extensions that bring the outdoors in
Homeowners are tapping into the potential of their own back yards. Investing in this area of the property has become hugely popular and it’s transforming the way people live, socialise and use their homes. Regardless of the size of your garden, consider working it into your home improvement and link your ground floor living space with the outside.
The key is to make the transition between inside and out as seamless as possible. Your choice of finish will have a big part to play in how successful this transition is. Choosing a floor surface that can be used internally as well as externally works wonderfully well, while floor-to-ceiling glass doors is another successful way to link inside and out. Whether the doors are left open or closed, the boundary between the two areas is blurred.
Check out these sliding door extensions that bring the outdoors in
Get inspiration at your fingertips
Social media has played a huge role in making design accessible to everyone. Gone are the days when clients would only be able to fill a scrapbook with images cut out from magazines. With sites like Houzz and apps like Instagram, we have unlimited access to global sources of inspiration and can even interact and communicate directly with designers, suppliers and manufacturers. We’ve gone from scarcity to being overwhelmed by choice and while it can be daunting, it has opened up a whole new world of possibilities and broadened our design horizons.
Find out how to identify your own unique design style
Social media has played a huge role in making design accessible to everyone. Gone are the days when clients would only be able to fill a scrapbook with images cut out from magazines. With sites like Houzz and apps like Instagram, we have unlimited access to global sources of inspiration and can even interact and communicate directly with designers, suppliers and manufacturers. We’ve gone from scarcity to being overwhelmed by choice and while it can be daunting, it has opened up a whole new world of possibilities and broadened our design horizons.
Find out how to identify your own unique design style
Smarten up your home
Our homes have become smarter, and technology is becoming more and more integrated into our everyday lives.
In the past ‘smart homes’ were crammed with wires that connected devices, making repairs or upgrades a costly exercise. Now overlapping wireless connections such as Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G provide almost continuous wire-free connections. With Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as light bulbs, thermostats and security systems, our homes can adapt and change to suit our daily needs.
Our homes have become smarter, and technology is becoming more and more integrated into our everyday lives.
In the past ‘smart homes’ were crammed with wires that connected devices, making repairs or upgrades a costly exercise. Now overlapping wireless connections such as Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G provide almost continuous wire-free connections. With Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as light bulbs, thermostats and security systems, our homes can adapt and change to suit our daily needs.
Ditch the square footage
A compact well functioning home can actually be far better than a sprawling warren of rooms. Many people are actually scaling back and don’t want the large open-plan spaces that were so popular a decade ago. They favour well-functioning spaces that can be closed off or opened up depending on how they are being used.
A compact well functioning home can actually be far better than a sprawling warren of rooms. Many people are actually scaling back and don’t want the large open-plan spaces that were so popular a decade ago. They favour well-functioning spaces that can be closed off or opened up depending on how they are being used.
Bypass the starter home
With house prices rising constantly, the idea that you would buy a house just to get yourself on the property ladder is often not possible. Rather than buying a home as a stepping stone, people are looking to find somewhere they can stay in indefinitely. With this in mind they’re looking for a home that offers the scope to grow into it.
Do you recognise any of these home renovation changes? Or perhaps you’ve noticed other things homeowners are doing differently now? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
With house prices rising constantly, the idea that you would buy a house just to get yourself on the property ladder is often not possible. Rather than buying a home as a stepping stone, people are looking to find somewhere they can stay in indefinitely. With this in mind they’re looking for a home that offers the scope to grow into it.
Do you recognise any of these home renovation changes? Or perhaps you’ve noticed other things homeowners are doing differently now? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
A decade ago the focus was very much on renovating as a way to add value to a property. Often decisions around the design and decoration of our homes were made with a potential purchaser in mind.
Today there is a whole new wave of individuality, and people are focusing on renovating for themselves rather than potential buyers. Every scheme is totally unique and changes are based on the person or people living in the house, and what suits them and their family.
People are being braver when it comes to using colour and pattern, and are trying out different surfaces for flooring, walls and worktops.