Over the last few years, we have started to see a shift in home design and functionality. More and more people are looking to maximize space instead of adding more square footage; they want more flexibility instead of more rooms, more functionality instead of more work around the home, top-of-the-line finishes and state-of-the-art appliances, but less power and water as well. It can be said that 2018 promises to be a year in which less really is more when it comes to home design. Thanks to new materials and technologies, combined with open design and sleek innovations, we have put together our list of the top 4 home building trends in 2018.
Greening Your Home
Having a home with that creates the smallest environmental footprint is a big focus for many homebuilders. These days, savvy buyers are willing to invest a little more in the beginning in order to have cost savings in the future. They are able to benefit from energy-saving strategies from the ground up, thanks to many recent advances in construction techniques and components.
The use of highly reflective shingles can enable a roof to stay more than 10 degrees cooler, which in turn helps you to conserve energy by not having to use air conditioning as often, as well as extending the life of the roof.
Additional features include the installation of Energy Star appliances, furnaces and air conditioners, LED or compact fluorescent lighting and dual flush, low-flow toilets. It is clear that green is the way to go in 2018 for log houses and homes.
Log and timber homes can be the most energy-efficient and have the lowest carbon footprint of any home design. Wood is the only major building material that is renewable and sustainable over the long term, while also being superior to steel and cement in nearly every environmental impact category. As such, log and timber homes are one of the most sustainable forms of construction, lasting substantially longer than conventional homes, and using almost four times less fossil fuels in manufacturing than a conventionally framed home. They are among the most energy-efficient homes built today. We have put together a detailed article titled “Green Building: Understanding the carbon footprint of a log home”
Making Your Home White and Bright
Last year we saw pops of color as the trend; in 2018 whites are making a huge comeback with white cabinets remaining the top pick in various rooms throughout the home. This is particularly so in bathrooms, as a result of white-tile decks and surrounds (not familiar with this word – maybe surroundings?), white porcelain soaking tubs, white-tiled floors and crisp white trim. Such a sharp-focus ambiance is beautifully complemented by bright and shiny chrome.
Another way to brighten up your home is to incorporate more windows. The trend toward bright, light spaces can also be further realized with the use of multiple skylights, huge room-width glass doors and floor to ceiling windows. Even smaller spaces can feel new and spacious through the use of crisper, brighter finishes and natural light.
Creating More Compact with More Flow at the Same Time
The trend towards smaller homes will continue to grow strong throughout 2018, especially since millennials are coming of age and are bringing their own aesthetic into play. Simultaneously, there is a need to create more open spaces in these smaller homes. This means that home design will be characterized by flow first and foremost in 2018, with site lines extending through multiple rooms and perhaps even to outdoor spaces.
One particular challenge will be catering to the growing desire for interior spaces that cascade into outdoor spaces both visually and functionally. Then again, huge expanses of windows and doors are possible thanks to advances in glass technology, all without having to sacrifice energy efficiency or comfort.
Home Automation
Today, automation is one of the fastest growing trends and automating your home is no exception. Not only can home systems be activated with the touch of a button, they can also be controlled remotely and can even learn from people’s habits and behaviours. This is something that is expected to continue in 2018 as well, especially since there have been huge leaps in the technology in just the past few years.
Examples of this include smart thermostats like iComfort and Nest, which can adjust your home’s temperature when you’re home and when you’re away just by using sensors and the location of your smartphone. These new devices keep track of various information based on your behaviour and learn to adapt to it. This includes remembering everything from what temperature you desire when eating breakfast on a winter morning to what time you wake up.
2018 aims to be a year of less is more, creating comfortable spaces that make your house a home. A place that is functional and inviting, an area for friends and family to feel welcome. It’s great to be inspired by fades and trends but don’t forget they come and go. What’s most important is finding or building a home that you love and suits your needs. Take some of these trends into consideration, but at the end of the day your home should reflect your needs.
Looking for more inspiration? Visit our log home and timber galleries.