Imagine walking into a brand-new, custom-built home and realizing that it is all yours–created exactly as you wanted it. As residents of Pittsboro’s Ryan’s Crossing have discovered, taking ownership of a gorgeous property designed for their specific tastes is a feeling like no other. And, as we look to 2024, the team at Ryan’s Crossing anticipates handing the keys to many more dream homes to new residents. There is also buzz, with each new year, related to new trends in home construction as the excitement of evolving design options arrives once again.
What will 2024 bring?
The open-concept floorplan continues to be a must-have in home design but the demand for flexible open spaces has increased. This may be as simple as installing a crafting table with the option of a ping-pong topper or as complex as engineering movable walls. Neighborhoods continue welcoming homeowners who want a large canvas, but now a canvas that allows each space multi-functional options. One of the more common rooms to diversify is the generous bonus room available in many of the Ryan’s Crossing floorplans. For example, adding a sliding partition allows this space to be transformed into smaller, more adaptive areas.
- Bathroom retreats have been gaining popularity for years, a trend that will continue in 2024 with one major change: multiples! As families anticipate transforming their single-family home into a multi-generational home, including additional spa-style bathrooms to a floorplan sets up a comfortable future for all household members. First-floor owner’s suites are not new, but multiple first-floor ensuites is a growing trend, each inclusive of that desired bathroom oasis. When designing a home with the potential to serve multiple generations, bedroom suites are often placed on opposite sides of the home to offer a sense of separation while still sharing one roof.
- Before furnishing a new home in 2024, homeowners should know that shapes are about to shift again as curvy furniture returns to popularity. Farmhouse trends demanded square, boxy pieces with a minimalistic feel but curves will reappear in the coming years. Sofas will become plusher, tables will boast beautifully curved shapes, and coffee tables will drift back to the plush ottomans of the past. These trends encourage socialization as guests sink into soft cushions or grab an extra seat on that ottoman.
- Because unique shapes will return to popularity in 2024, homeowners will likely find new inspiration in quirky pieces as the design doors re-open to truly distinct accessories. One-of-a-kind pieces will be snapped up the instant they hit showroom floors! For those willing to combine creativity with a bit of elbow grease, upcycling will continue to thrive as discarded pieces find new life (and purpose!) through renovation.
- Perhaps the most exciting and anticipated design change peeking around the corner is mixed metals. What does that mean? Homeowners will no longer feel pressed to select a single color for cabinetry, faucets, or lighting. 2024 brings encouragement to pick what you like, even if that means picking a combination of metals to showcase in a single room. A secondary bonus of this trend is the ability to merge tastes in those multigenerational homes. For instance, installing an heirloom brass fixture will be perfectly acceptable in a kitchen adorned with black drawer pulls–no need to break out the spray paint!
- In conjunction with upcycling and mixed metals, there will be an increased focus on reducing waste in 2024. Ryan’s Crossings luxury homes are built with a nod to minimizing carbon footprints and residents will carry that forward by re-using items that they might have discarded in the past. Local swaps will become common as marketplaces showcase items ready for a new home, just around the corner. Some neighborhoods even host trade events during which pieces may simply move a few doors down. That old saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” no longer applies. In 2024, every item is a treasure!
- The smart home revolution continues as everything from HVAC systems to refrigerators to exterior lighting becomes automated. Smartphones serve as command central for these new home features, putting control at your fingertips. The downside? If your home may include senior members in the coming years, anticipate the need to bring down the level of “smart” found in your home as those features may be confusing to an older family member.
- One of the biggest benefits of building a custom home is finally catching on in the design world: individuality! Gone are the cookie-cutter floorplans, why not toss out the need to conform inside as well? Homeowners are using design trends as a guide, yes, but many are choosing to go their own way and fill homes with items that are as unique as they are. Homeowners are leaving builder beige behind as they create breathtaking wallscapes accented with endless interesting trinkets.
Multi-generational housing is not a new phenomenon, but it has now become a catalyst in updated trends in home design. As the potential for extended families to unite under one roof increases, so does the need to shape each space to honor the individual. Flexibility, inclusivity, and sustainability have gained importance in new construction. The Ryan’s Crossing neighborhood is already an example of how changes in home design can create spaces where every generation feels at home.