Decorating
Renovating
Pros Reveal the Design Features Their Clients Are Asking For
Designers on Houzz tell us the interior and garden elements their customers are requesting the most and why
Pros on Houzz say that, over the past few years, their clients have had to rethink the design features and elements that are best for their homes. Recent world events may be playing a part in what they’re requesting now.
The pandemic, for example, redefined what’s important to some homeowners, especially when it comes to work. “Since people now have the option to work remotely, I’m seeing a big trend of people wanting to invest in their homes,” Texas interior designer Mary Patton says.
In the post-lockdown era, many customers are also eager to entertain their family and friends in their homes. “Clients are leaning more towards having unique spaces that could bring an element of surprise,” California interior designer Tamara Marie says. “During the pandemic, [people] were investing in their living spaces; now it’s time time to show [them] off.”
The pandemic, for example, redefined what’s important to some homeowners, especially when it comes to work. “Since people now have the option to work remotely, I’m seeing a big trend of people wanting to invest in their homes,” Texas interior designer Mary Patton says.
In the post-lockdown era, many customers are also eager to entertain their family and friends in their homes. “Clients are leaning more towards having unique spaces that could bring an element of surprise,” California interior designer Tamara Marie says. “During the pandemic, [people] were investing in their living spaces; now it’s time time to show [them] off.”
Interior Design Features Homeowners Are Asking for the Most
Durable materials
Rozit Arditi, principal of Arditi Design in New York, says her clients are requesting heavy-duty materials and surfaces that are easy to clean. “People are spending a lot more time at home and want to make sure they invest in durable, longer-lasting materials,” Rozit says.
Homeowners with young children are also prioritising durability to help their spaces stand the test of time.
See how Houzz Pro can help your business.
Durable materials
Rozit Arditi, principal of Arditi Design in New York, says her clients are requesting heavy-duty materials and surfaces that are easy to clean. “People are spending a lot more time at home and want to make sure they invest in durable, longer-lasting materials,” Rozit says.
Homeowners with young children are also prioritising durability to help their spaces stand the test of time.
See how Houzz Pro can help your business.
Open-plan layouts that remove the dining room
Pros are noticing a strong interest in open layouts that are simple, functional and comfortable. Laurie Dragunoff, interior designer at Decorative Interiors in South Carolina, says homeowners are asking for kitchen zones that combine the cooking, prep, entertaining and dining areas.
“Many plans today do not include a dining room. This is the most underused room in the house,” she says. “[Instead], the space will include a casual area for a breakfast table used for daily meals and larger gatherings at holiday time.”
Clients are prioritising function in these areas. They’re requesting elements such as swivel chairs at dining tables to take advantage of their open-plan rooms. “It’s more flexible to swivel and talk to family in the kitchen and see the TV in the family room in the same chair,” Laurie says.
The Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner can help you create detailed 2D floor plans and 3D models of your proposed kitchen design that include cabinetry, appliances, sinks and more, to help clients understand your vision and potentially sign off on it faster.
More: How to Design an Open-plan Kitchen Layout
Pros are noticing a strong interest in open layouts that are simple, functional and comfortable. Laurie Dragunoff, interior designer at Decorative Interiors in South Carolina, says homeowners are asking for kitchen zones that combine the cooking, prep, entertaining and dining areas.
“Many plans today do not include a dining room. This is the most underused room in the house,” she says. “[Instead], the space will include a casual area for a breakfast table used for daily meals and larger gatherings at holiday time.”
Clients are prioritising function in these areas. They’re requesting elements such as swivel chairs at dining tables to take advantage of their open-plan rooms. “It’s more flexible to swivel and talk to family in the kitchen and see the TV in the family room in the same chair,” Laurie says.
The Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner can help you create detailed 2D floor plans and 3D models of your proposed kitchen design that include cabinetry, appliances, sinks and more, to help clients understand your vision and potentially sign off on it faster.
More: How to Design an Open-plan Kitchen Layout
Colour
Pros note that customers want more colour infused into their homes — and that that might not always be a good thing. “Everybody wants a blue kitchen,” Mary says. “It’s so overdone, and everywhere. I’m trying to talk [clients] into investing in something that’s more timeless.” However, she’s excited whenever her customers want to add splashes of colour to their spaces.
Rozit believes homeowners are no longer attached to pale grey walls and décor. “My clients are either more drawn to neutrals or earth tones these days,” she says. “[I’m seeing] a lot more greens, rust oranges and deep purples along with natural wood tones.”
Pros note that customers want more colour infused into their homes — and that that might not always be a good thing. “Everybody wants a blue kitchen,” Mary says. “It’s so overdone, and everywhere. I’m trying to talk [clients] into investing in something that’s more timeless.” However, she’s excited whenever her customers want to add splashes of colour to their spaces.
Rozit believes homeowners are no longer attached to pale grey walls and décor. “My clients are either more drawn to neutrals or earth tones these days,” she says. “[I’m seeing] a lot more greens, rust oranges and deep purples along with natural wood tones.”
Houseplants
“I’ve seen a huge interest in learning to care for indoor plants to keep the air fresh,” says Brigid Wethington, principal interior designer of B Chic Interiors in Maryland. “I think a lot of these requests [from clients] have been influenced by the pandemic and a focus more on health and tranquillity.”
More: How Not to Kill Your Houseplants
“I’ve seen a huge interest in learning to care for indoor plants to keep the air fresh,” says Brigid Wethington, principal interior designer of B Chic Interiors in Maryland. “I think a lot of these requests [from clients] have been influenced by the pandemic and a focus more on health and tranquillity.”
More: How Not to Kill Your Houseplants
Comfortable spaces for work and play
Even though the world has opened up, many people are staying close to home. According to pros, homeowners are redesigning their spaces to embrace a new normal. “Home offices and ‘Zoom rooms’ are extremely popular,” Mary says.
They want interiors that are flexible for their changing needs, not just beautiful aesthetics. For example, “the luxe approach to a super-sleek contemporary look is changing and becoming more comfortable, softened by natural materials, adding colour and other details to make it feel like a more realistic live-work space,” says Kim Coombs, president and founder of KBCO Design in Florida.
Even though the world has opened up, many people are staying close to home. According to pros, homeowners are redesigning their spaces to embrace a new normal. “Home offices and ‘Zoom rooms’ are extremely popular,” Mary says.
They want interiors that are flexible for their changing needs, not just beautiful aesthetics. For example, “the luxe approach to a super-sleek contemporary look is changing and becoming more comfortable, softened by natural materials, adding colour and other details to make it feel like a more realistic live-work space,” says Kim Coombs, president and founder of KBCO Design in Florida.
Layered spaces
Tamara says homeowners want to add texture, layers and depth to their spaces. Other pros agree. “Many clients who initially wanted a very clean aesthetic are now begging for layers of personality,” Oklahoma designer Mel Bean says.
Designer Jessica Nelson in Seattle says homeowners are open to bringing in natural materials and colour. “Also, clients are more OK with things that patinate, like unlacquered brass and marble,” she says. “I love that we’re moving towards everything not having to be ‘perfect’ forever.”
Tamara says homeowners want to add texture, layers and depth to their spaces. Other pros agree. “Many clients who initially wanted a very clean aesthetic are now begging for layers of personality,” Oklahoma designer Mel Bean says.
Designer Jessica Nelson in Seattle says homeowners are open to bringing in natural materials and colour. “Also, clients are more OK with things that patinate, like unlacquered brass and marble,” she says. “I love that we’re moving towards everything not having to be ‘perfect’ forever.”
Natural materials and softer hues
“For our clients, from residential to big hospitality projects and commercial spaces, we’re seeing a shift from the desire to use extremely luxurious, shiny materials and accessories back to more matt finishes, natural materials and soft colour palettes to make spaces feel more comfortable and approachable,” Kim says.
Rozit adds that she’s seeing heavy usage of natural materials such as comfortable wools and woven fabrics.
“For our clients, from residential to big hospitality projects and commercial spaces, we’re seeing a shift from the desire to use extremely luxurious, shiny materials and accessories back to more matt finishes, natural materials and soft colour palettes to make spaces feel more comfortable and approachable,” Kim says.
Rozit adds that she’s seeing heavy usage of natural materials such as comfortable wools and woven fabrics.
Landscape Design Features Homeowners Are Asking for the Most
Homeowners also want features in their gardens that align with their interests.
Native and sustainable options
Many pros say native plants struggle less to survive in their natural habitat and can sometimes require less water, improve air quality and nourish local flora and fauna. These benefits are leading homeowners to embrace native landscapes.
“Many clients are wanting to have more of a connection with native plants that are more beneficial to wildlife and pollinators,” says Karleen Shafer, owner of Landscape Design & Associates in Michigan. “I see clients more concerned with nature and wanting to support it.”
Homeowners also want features in their gardens that align with their interests.
Native and sustainable options
Many pros say native plants struggle less to survive in their natural habitat and can sometimes require less water, improve air quality and nourish local flora and fauna. These benefits are leading homeowners to embrace native landscapes.
“Many clients are wanting to have more of a connection with native plants that are more beneficial to wildlife and pollinators,” says Karleen Shafer, owner of Landscape Design & Associates in Michigan. “I see clients more concerned with nature and wanting to support it.”
Rachel Monteiro, owner of Rachel’s Landscape Design in Oregon, believes formal gardens that require high maintenance and lots of water and fertiliser are no longer in demand.
“There’s a strong trend towards sustainable gardens with the right plants in the right places for the long term,” she says. “Designers and clients are working to reuse materials that are already on-site and reduce the footprint of what they bring in.”
Michael Thiel, owner of Plantaysia in Florida, adds that low-maintenance and native plants are popular right now because people are starting to understand the importance of sustainability.
“There’s a strong trend towards sustainable gardens with the right plants in the right places for the long term,” she says. “Designers and clients are working to reuse materials that are already on-site and reduce the footprint of what they bring in.”
Michael Thiel, owner of Plantaysia in Florida, adds that low-maintenance and native plants are popular right now because people are starting to understand the importance of sustainability.
Edible gardens
Homeowners are also asking pros to help them build edible gardens. “I’ve put in dozens of vegetable beds, fruit trees and berry bushes for clients,” Karleen says. “Some of them will probably get tired of growing their own food. [However], for the most part, people love making jam from their own berries and showing off their tomatoes!”
Homeowners are also asking pros to help them build edible gardens. “I’ve put in dozens of vegetable beds, fruit trees and berry bushes for clients,” Karleen says. “Some of them will probably get tired of growing their own food. [However], for the most part, people love making jam from their own berries and showing off their tomatoes!”
The Takeaway
Homeowners are rethinking the look and functionality of their interiors and outdoor areas, pros say, and want their homes to reflect their changing lifestyles.
Tell us…
What design features are your clients asking for – or, as a homeowner, what are your priorities for your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Homeowners are rethinking the look and functionality of their interiors and outdoor areas, pros say, and want their homes to reflect their changing lifestyles.
Tell us…
What design features are your clients asking for – or, as a homeowner, what are your priorities for your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
We spoke with a panel of designers about the interior and garden design elements their clients are requesting most right now. Read on to see which design features they say are in demand.