Home design trends for 2016

Home designs are constantly evolving.

Based on fluctuating consumer preferences and design trends, Las Vegas homebuilders work hard to keep a pulse of this ever-changing environment and look for ways to integrate the hottest products and designs on the market into area master-planned communities.Below are a six of the hottest design trends identified by local builders and what homebuyers can look forward to next year.

Large Walk-in Showers

According to Designbuzz.com, the preferred choice for a master bath is a large walk-in shower, featuring floor-to-ceiling tiles and designed to provide a focal point in the room.

"We are seeing more and more requests for a larger shower with no bathtub in the master bedrooms," Harmony Homes President Robb Beville said. Harmony has been in business for eight years in the Las Vegas area.

Eliminating the bathtub in the master is attributed to busier lifestyles. This faster paced lifestyle requires a more functional design as it means Las Vegas homebuyers seem to prefer taking a shower over soaking in a bathtub.

Open floor plans

The open floor concept remains the most preferred layout for new homebuyers. The concept combines the kitchen and adjacent living areas into a large gathering space.

Instead of being a work zone, the kitchen becomes the 'heart center' of the home."Open floor plans are very important," Division President of Pardee Homes Klif Andrews said. Pardee Homes has been in Las Vegas since 1952.

The open floor plan results in a relaxing and welcoming space where homeowners can interact with each other and guests easily. In addition to opening up the floor space, Beville said having a bedroom on the main level of a two-story home is very popular.

Large White Kitchens

With kitchens being a key area of the open concept and the 'heart center' of the home, homebuilders are seeing a trend among buyers towards larger kitchens.

"Larger kitchens are very popular as they meet the need of growing families," KB Home Las Vegas Division President Robert McGibney said. KB Home was founded in 1957. "And to maximize the countertop space they are selecting larger islands."

These larger island area designs can mean incorporating double islands in the larger kitchen designs.

With the desire for larger kitchens, white-on-white continues to be a popular trend in kitchen design. Layering white backsplashes beneath white cabinets on white countertops was recently highlighted in the 2014 Best in American Living Awards presented by the National Association of Home Builders.

Besides white on white, McGibney is also seeing alternative choices requested by homeowners.

"New creative backsplashes are becoming very popular, specifically behind the cooktop if they have more counter space," McGibney said. "We are seeing more and more people using glass with stone mosaic tiles and colored subway tile."

Indoor/Outdoor Living

Homebuilders are now seeing the homeowner's desire to entertain guests spilling into the outside world resulting in plans that maximize the outdoor space and include unique outdoor entertaining features.

"Multi-function open kitchen spaces that flow into the great room and outdoor living space are becoming very popular," McGibney said. "Many homeowners host parties or family gatherings so additional living space that allows easy access to backyard or BBQ area is increasingly in demand."

McGibney added that buyers are interested in flooring that creates a continuous flow between the home and their outdoor living space.

"We even have indoor/outdoor rated stone and tile flooring that can be installed," McGibney said. "Another new product KB Home is offering is accordion-style doors and full wall sliders that open up a floor plan between the great room and or kitchen."

Some of the most popular outdoor entertaining choices are fire pits and fireplaces as well as outdoor kitchens and pizza ovens.

Andrews stated that as a means of drawing the outdoors inside, Pardee homes uses large windows and retreating glass walls.

"Modern and contemporary architecture wants to draw the outdoors inside, and always feature extensive glass," Andrews said. "We add larger windows, including some that reach down to the floor in living spaces and bedrooms."

Technology

Technology advances continue to play a significant role in home design.

Homeowners want houses that incorporate the use of smartphone and tablet apps to control a home's systems. These systems include thermostat, security, cameras and lighting.

"We are inspired by innovation and are constantly seeking out new technology that will improve our homeowners' quality of life," McGibney said. "Today's homebuyers are interested in incorporating some of the coolest new-home technologies into their home."

According to McGibney multi-room audio systems can be integrated into the walls of a KB home to seamlessly play music in any room of the house.

Energy Efficiency

Efficient home design options provide homeowners with energy-efficient construction, appliances and lighting. Trending designs also feature commercially available renewable energy systems, such as solar water heating and solar electricity.

Energy-efficient homes are built as integrated systems, with each part working in tandem with the others to achieve maximum efficiency. A number of factors go into building these homes to optimize energy performance, thereby reducing costs and providing more comfort. These include the home exterior, HVAC systems, Water management and energy efficient lighting and appliances.

"KB Home provides every homeowner with an Energy Performance Guide or EPG —a numerical rating of a home's energy efficiency and an estimate of monthly electric and gas costs for a home," McGibney said. "The EPG allows buyers to better understand what their monthly expenses will be."