Instead of purchasing a new home, homeowners are still opting to make additions and alterations to their current home, or incorporate new kitchen and bathroom features that will aid aging-in-place, according to the quarterly AIA Home Design Trends Survey released this week. This iteration of the survey delves into kitchen and bath design activity during the fourth quarter of 2017, based on responses from more than 500 residential architecture firms.
Bathroom Design Trends
Homeowners are placing less importance on the number of bathrooms in homes, and placing more importance on size. At the end of 2017, 25% of firms reported increased demand for larger bathrooms, a one point increase from a year prior. As droves of boomers prepare for retirement, many homeowners are opting to enhance existing bathrooms with universal design features—and many of those features require a room with a larger footprint.
Preference for Increase in Number/Size of Bathrooms
The fourth quarter survey shows that homeowners prioritize accessibility features in bathrooms much more than those in kitchens—61% of firms reported that clients desired adaptability/universal design features in bathrooms, compared to only 18% in kitchens.
Interior design elements meant to aid aging-in-place continue to top the list for high-demand bathroom features, with larger walk-in showers, doorless/no threshold showers, and stall showers without tubs topping the list of requested fixtures. Luxury features like radiant heated flooring,and upscale showers also increased in popularity compared to a year prior.
Commentary from AIA chief economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, in a press release for the 2016 iteration of the survey still rings true: “Bathroom adaptability and accessibility continue to be the primary focus for homeowners,” said Baker. “Increasing numbers of homeowners with disability concerns will drive trends in bath design for the foreseeable future.”
Popular Bathroom Products and Design Features
Commentary from AIA chief economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, in a press release for the 2016 iteration of the survey still rings true: “Bathroom adaptability and accessibility continue to be the primary focus for homeowners,” said Baker. “Increasing numbers of homeowners with disability concerns will drive trends in bath design for the foreseeable future.”
Kitchen Design Trends
While the desired size of kitchens has remained relatively unchanged since the fourth quarter of 2015, demand for the number of kitchens in a house increased during the fourth quarter, with 29% of firms reporting growing popularity for multiple kitchens. This trend is tied to the popularity of outdoor kitchens, which has been one of the top three most popular home features for the past two years.
Designs that integrate kitchens with family living spaces were the second most-desired feature in the fourth quarter, with 44% of firms reporting increased demand for more open-concept kitchen plans. Demand for computer work spaces and recharging stations was the third most-desired feature in kitchen design in the fourth quarter, although popularity of the feature has softened since last year's survey, when 42% of firms reported increased demand.
Preference for Increase in Number/Size of Kitchen Areas
Kitchen features commonly found in high-end homes, like butler's pantries, double islands, and wine storage, were also reported as growing in popularity at the end of 2017. While the 10 features in the chart below continue to be very popular, it's worth noting that half of those have decreased in popularity compared to a year prior. Drinking water filtration systems, double islands, and induction cooking appliances were the only three features to see popularity increase year-over-year.
Popular Kitchen Products and Design Features
Technology and energy-efficiency are also behind many in–demand kitchen features, and 22% of firms surveyed reported that clients desired a "smart / connected kitchen" in the last quarter of 2017. The AIA added that "smart / connected kitchen" category to their survey this year, as the popularity of home technology has picked up pace significantly.
“Demand has remained solid for smart home features in the kitchen, which isn’t a surprise as more new systems and products are being introduced at a dizzying pace” Baker added. “At the same time, ensuring accessibility throughout these areas and promoting convenience remain priorities for homeowners.”
Business Conditions
Amid the sectors responsible for the majority of work during the fourth quarter, remodeling still accounts for the largest share of business activity, with home additions and alterations accounting for the largest share of design activity, followed by bath and kitchen remodels.
In the wake of rising interest rates and tight home inventory, many homeowners are following the trend of upgrading their current home rather than moving up, although the survey indicates work in the move-up and custom home market is up slightly year-over-year. Demand for second homes and vacation homes has picked up slightly as well, with 5% of respondents reporting that work in the segment increased during the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to -10% a year prior.
Business Conditions by Construction Segment
As our sister site ARCHITECT reported this week, the Architecture Billings Index posted a healthy score of 51.0 in March, with project inquiries at 58.1; scores below 50 represent a contraction in the market, while those above indicate growth. The index has followed an upward trajectory for six consecutive months, and the AIA anticipates strong growth throughout the year. “New project activity coming into architecture firms continues to grow at a solid pace," Baker said in a press release. "As a result, project backlogs—in excess of six months at present—are at their highest post-recession level.”
Read the full report here.
