Survey Says…Build New Homes Smaller

Will the economy, environmental concerns and demographics impact the size of new homes we build in the future?  Two recent surveys show that a downsizing trend in new home construction may already be underway.  

In its home design trend survey released last week, the American Institute of Architects indicates that the depressed U.S. housing market, affordability and rising home costs are causing many Americans to rethink the size issue.   How much living space do we really need?

Home Buyers Put New Home Amenities Ahead of Size

In past years, more people buying a new home would focus on getting the most square footage for the money, according to Gopal Ahluwalia, National Association of Home Builders vice president of research.  But that’s not the case anymore. In an NAHB survey released in February, a majority of potential home buyers revealed that if they had to choose, they would rather build a smaller home with more amenities than the other way around. 

Our changing demographics may have a lot to do with that.  With the eldest members of the baby boomer generation celebrating their 62nd birthdays this year, more of the population has moved into the empty-nest demographic.  With all the chicks out of the nest, they need less space…not more.  And they want the space they do have to incorporate universal design features to insure they can live gracefully in their homes for many years to come.  If you factor in the gradual decline over time in the number of children per family in the U.S. with the delay in age for first time marriages, you can see why the majority of home buyers may no longer want to supersize their new homes.

If smaller homes will be the new norm, how will new homes evolve to meet our lifestyle needs?  Many builders and architects predict these changes:

• Nix the formal spaces.  Homes of the not-so-distant future may be smaller in square footage, but they’ll live larger since all the space will be designed to use on a daily basis- not just on special occasions.

• Functional foyers.  Buyers will expect spaces to add value.  Who wants to waste square footage on a space that people walk through?  No more three-story, gargantuan foyers.

• Multi-functional spaces.  Not only will all the rooms in new homes be used daily, many will serve more than one purpose.

• Built-in storage.  No home functions well without well-planned storage.  Look for new homes to have efficient storage systems incorporated into every space to keep the smaller home well-organized and orderly.

• Outdoor living areas.  Buyers understand the importance of maximizing the potential of their space.  They want a home design that extends living and entertaining areas through blended indoor/outdoor rooms.

• One-story living.  Baby boomers looking to the future want homes that will accommodate their needs as they age.  No more stairclimbing or upkeep on a multi-story home.  And with the heightened concern about energy efficiency and rising fuel costs, single-story homes are less expensive to heat and cool as well.

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