Top Three New Home Features

What are people looking for in a new home? What are the key features that are popular today? We find that while people want basically the same things in a new home they always have, some things are more requested and popular than others.

People Like an Open Floor Plan:

New home buyers are seeking bright open spaces. They like the free flowing style an open floor plan offers. They do not want to waste space with strictly defined dining and leisure areas. The open floor plan lends itself to a more inviting environment for family and for entertaining.

Cooking has become more of a social event. It is no longer an area where someone toils away alone for the benefit of the family, but an area where everyone can participate and communicate. This leads us to the second popular new home feature.

People Love a Large Kitchen:

We spend more time in the kitchen than any other room in the house (except maybe the bedroom). We even relax in the kitchen. Over time, kitchens have grown in size. In the 1920s, kitchens averaged about 65 square feet in size. Today they have more than doubled in size with an average size of 140 square feet.

Today’s kitchens are gathering areas for the whole family. Many people are even putting entertainment systems in the kitchens. We offer several plans that include an area for doing home-work or the family’s finances.  A modern home plan is not complete without a large well designed kitchen.

En Suite Bathrooms Are Very Popular:

It has been common practice for a long time to have an en suite bathroom for the master retreat. What is trending more and more today is en suite bathrooms for guest suites.

An en suite bathroom is a bathroom that is exclusively connected to a bedroom. En suites are thought of as private washrooms, and are never built off of common areas like hallways.

By adding an en suite bathroom to a guest bedroom it gives that area just a bit more privacy. This is greatly appreciated by adult guests, as well as teenage children. It might seem like a small thing, but it makes a big difference in the feel and livability of the home.

Unlimited Features!

One last thing people are looking for is to customize a plan. In the past 10 years we have seen more and more people requesting to have a stock plan modified. A modified plan is more expensive than a stock house plan but it is far less expensive than a custom designed home plan. It is the middle ground between the two. It is also a great way to get a house plan that is uniquely suited to you and your families needs.