It’s been about 3 years since we last seriously looked at the market for custom homes. Life moves fast, and homeowner’s wishes can change a lot in that time. But changes take time to show up in custom homes, because by definition, they’re built to suit a person’s particular needs and wants. And between the “pandemic-induced” reality of everyone working from home, skyrocketing energy costs, and complete technological integration into every aspect of life, the “wants” of pre-pandemic homeowners have been turned on their head to give way to an entirely new list of priorities. So, what does the new custom home look like?

Open Floor Plans Continue to Evolve

The open floor plan is a staple of modern homes. But in recent years, designers are putting a twist on this classic layout, trading in the completely open space for one that offers just a little separation from the main living area. And for good reason—completely open plans can be overwhelming, filled with noise and the smells of cooking, and can even stifle functional spaces that you’d like to have as a home office or reading nook.

Open floor plans can be quickly reorganized to accommodate different uses with smart separation systems including sliding barn doors, retractile walls and swinging panels. Kitchen islands are growing in size to accommodate seating for 8 or more people and can reach up to 12 feet long.

Energy Efficiency Drives Everything

The recent increases in utility rates have made energy efficiency a primary consideration in every building improvement strategy. In addition to window quality and insulation, there are other factors affecting a home’s energy efficiency that many people have not considered until recently.

Passive solar design is having a renaissance. Home builders are now paying attention to the size of a roof overhang to ensure that it will block summer sun but allow low angle winter sun to penetrate deep into a room. Builders are also taking a close look at the floor plan to ensure that windows are placed in the optimal location on all orientations of the building. For example, a home with a large south-facing wall will require much smaller windows on the east and west faces to keep the winter heating loads high but the summer cooling loads low.

What five years ago would have been considered too expensive for most projects, Geothermal Systems are now the norm for new construction where such systems would not have even been considered at an earlier time. The cost of energy has increased dramatically and current systems are performing better than anticipated. As a result Geothermal Systems have become an economically attractive option for builders. Heat Pumps, once viewed by some as a marginal alternative to Gas Furnaces for Space Heating, have become the industry standard for new construction. In addition, recent advancements in design and functionality have enabled Heat Pumps to perform admirably even in the coldest of climates.

More homes are flipping to a surplus of electricity, as solar panels and battery storage systems become increasingly common. They offer complete energy independence, but require a large initial investment.

Technology Integration From Day One

What used to be expensive add-ons are now standard features in smart homes.

Our preferred cabling solution for a fully interconnected home is to include structured wiring which brings ethernet cables to each room. In anticipation of the limitations of wireless systems for bandwidth-intensive applications, this approach provides the cabling backbone for high-speed connectivity. Every power outlet is equipped with a USB port to charge your smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices. We have also included 240-volt circuits in every bedroom, anticipating future demand for electric vehicle chargers, or even simply car heaters in very cold climates — even if you currently do not have an EV.

Whereas in the past custom home builders in Jefferson County Ohio might include technology consultations in their design later in the process, many builders now consider these elements at the onset of the design process. Home owners and builders alike are trying to determine how to incorporate current technology into their home as well as technology that may be relevant in the next decade.

Outdoor Spaces Become Extensions of the Home

We are enjoying the boon that quality outdoor spaces have brought during the pandemic. Outdoor kitchens featuring equivalently enabled equipment are in huge demand, rivaling the layouts of traditional indoor kitchens.

This gallery shows how decking grills can really go extra mile. Rather than just slapping a deck grill in place, we have incorporated full sized refrigerators, sinks and ample storage under our custom pergolas. We have also gone the full hog and installed full roof structures to really extend the BBQ season. There are a number of pizza ovens, smokers and grills in this section also.

Large folding glass walls that open completely and double the entertaining space. No walls to limit your view.

Material Choices Reflect New Priorities

While sustainability is becoming a critical factor when selecting flooring products, the main considerations for flooring products typically revolve around the performance attributes. In the past few years, products made of bamboo and reclaimed woods have been gaining popularity; however, when evaluating these products on key performance characteristics such as life cycle cost, durability and cost, they generally are not considered equal alternatives to existing products.

Low-VOC paints and finishes used to be premium options, however the health benefits of using these products have become nearly cost neutral. Special health benefits used to be one of the advantages of premium finishes and coatings, but now they are standard fare.

Planning Your Build

A shift in trends is occurring in home building and remodeling as the shifts in lifestyles take hold. Long-term savings through energy efficiency is a huge selling point when building a home. Smart homes that can monitor and control a variety of functions with the touch of a button are also gaining traction. Outdoor living spaces such as courtyards, porches and verandas are also gaining popularity as they can add square footage without the added expense of an addition.

Many of these new features have been successfully incorporated into current designs in the category, but not all need to be so lavishly provided. The most successful designs will be those where the build suits the lifestyle and budget of the owners, and provide a comfortable home. That is what matters, not a revolving gallery of gadgets and gizmos for people to ooh and ahh over.