June 12 2020
Designing a new home or redesigning an existing one has undergone some major changes over the years. What was once deemed important to a relatively small segment of the population is now seen as both contemporary and necessary to today's home buyers.
Home builders and contractors have seen the change in the preferences for living spaces in today's fast paced world. What many buyers and homeowners are demanding are comfortable spaces and reduced home energy costs.
Let us explore what is emerging as must-haves that are also considered "eco-friendly" (in harmony with the environment), chic and smart!
Here are the top eight features according to several of the leading, innovative architects and designers today.
Bringing the outdoors inside is one of the most sought-after features of today's eco-friendly home.
Benefits include:
As the name implies, ductless mini-split AC systems don't use ducts. They "have two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser, and an indoor air-handling unit. A conduit, which houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing, and a condensate drain, links the outdoor and indoor units." A ductless A/C system can provide tremendous health benefits over traditional A/C systems.
Benefits include:
The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today's most energy-efficient lighting technologies. And it probably comes as no surprise to you to see this one make the list, as LED lighting has gained in popularity over the years.
Benefits include:
The solar industry "is helping to pave the way to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future." And solar panels are increasing in popularity. As such, solar panels are a big plus for home buyers.
Benefits include:
Geo-thermal energy is derived from the earth and can be used by itself or in conjunction with solar panels. The term comes from geo, meaning earth, and thermal, meaning heat. The EPA states it best: "Geothermal technology harnesses the Earth's heat."
Benefits include:
Eco-friendly landscaping features native plants, trees, fruits and vegetables that will naturally flourish in the type of environment where the home is located. As an example, a home that is landscaped in Arizona will be different than one that is designed in Florida.
Benefits include:
Smart homes, which are homes with important aspects—such as the light, heat, sound, and electronics—that can be managed through Wi-Fi, can also be eco-friendly and highly interesting to home buyers.
Benefits include:
As we know, there is no 100% agreement on this across the country. But this has been a highly touted discussion as to what is "in" this year. Let's start by saying that this greatly depends on where you live in the country, along with the style and square footage of the home.
From my research, the open kitchen and living area floor plan still wins. Let's look at the pros and cons so your buyers can decide.
Pros of Open Kitchens
Open spaces allow more natural light into the living environment, which saves on heating and cooling costs. It creates more of a balance with the A/C system so the air is not having to go into every small space within the home. It adds more natural light to the space when coupled with large windows or when the home is naturally lit by sunrise in the morning and afternoon sun.
Makes a safe social environment and integrated way of living. It brings families together for cooking, eating, watching TV and entertainment.
They can make a smaller home appear larger. Entering a home with an open kitchen and multi-functional living space is the current popular way to combat small, boxed-off spaces. It can also create more of a 'wow' effect when people enter the home.
It creates a fun mingling space for entertaining guests.
It creates added value. Homes with open kitchens and living spaces often sell for more money than traditional, older home design layouts. When buyers enter a traditional home with divided spaces such as entryways, halls, closed off kitchens and smaller bedrooms without walk-in closets, they may love the home at first. Then they start adding up the costs of having to tear down walls or renovate it, which can be a huge deterrent depending on the price.
Cons of Open Kitchens
Lack of a quiet space. Having multiple things going on in one space can be very distracting and may cause more stress than peace in the home.
Can't hide the mess. A mess in one area of the open floor plan, such as the kitchen, can have a negative effect on the rest of the space. When dishes, pots, pans, plates and food are left waiting to be cleaned up, there is no hiding it in an open space.
Lasting unpleasant odors. An unpleasant smell from the kitchen, such as a highly fragrant fish or a garbage can that remains inside, can linger throughout the whole space versus just one small area.
It is an opportunity to have a conversation and discuss those features that are most important to them and their style of living. It is also an opportunity to help create a successful home buying or renovating adventure!
Janice Zaltman is a Realtor, LEED AP, marketing coach and writer with more than 20 years of experience in the sales, marketing and media fields.
To view the original article, visit the Form Simplicity blog.