The pandemic shifted the way individuals work, play and live at home. At the start of each year, the Best in American Living Awards (BALA) recognizes dozens of new projects from this past year featuring the most innovative layouts and eye-catching design elements. Functional and dazzling home features are reflected in the award-winning designs this year.
Whether you’re looking to buy a new home, thinking about renovating your current one, or you’re just interested in what’s new in home designs, here are some of the biggest trends you will see dominating in 2022.
Beamed and/or stained ceilings. Different detailing overhead creates a wow factor for both low and high ceilings alike, while stains and tonal materials provide a more cohesive room palette. This trend is especially popular in kitchens.
Creative outdoor spaces. Post-pandemic design continues to utilize the outdoors to develop spaces for relaxing, entertaining, home office or just taking in the views. Multilevel terraces, sunken living rooms with firepits and indoor courtyards are just a few examples of these designs.
Improved indoor/outdoor connections. Emphasis on health and wellness has led to an increased focus on creating intentional, seamless transitions from indoors to outdoors. Material choices can play a large role by visually connecting adjoining spaces, but even details as subtle as skylights in the kitchen or glass walls to take advantage of the surrounding views can usher in these natural connections. Landscape designs are also improving to seamlessly blend the home with the surrounding area.
More durable materials. As indoor and outdoor spaces continue to blend, materials that operate equally in both conditions are key to creating a smooth transition. This includes not only the doors or track systems to bridge the gap, but also selections such as ceiling treatments or flooring, where materials such as stone can provide a wow factor both inside and out.
Resort-like amenities. More time spent at home means greater attention paid to features to enhance it, whether it’s an outdoor lounge or a game room. Pets are very important, with designs increasingly incorporating areas such as dog spas, pet pads or dog runs.
Enhanced focus on function. Homes have had to work harder for their residents in recent years, and designs are adapting to incorporate more functional and multifunctional spaces to use. Examples include wine storage, prep kitchens, mudrooms and dedicated gym or workout areas.
Size doesn’t matter. Spaces should get as much mileage out of their designs as possible, whether it’s a remodeled great room/dining room/kitchen to improve functionality or a glass-encased room with doors to provide privacy when needed while remaining connected to the rest of the home.
For more information about the latest designs for your home, or to find a builder in your area to create the new home of your dreams, contact your local association, here.
