Dunja Dumanski
Superhero Fabric
“People are using Crypton on their sofas, dining chairs, and high-traffic areas,” says Dawn Davidson of Design Line Interiors. It’s designed to withstand just about anything—stains, odors, and moisture.
Smart-Home Automation
These days, homeowners want to connect everything to their smartphones: HVAC, lighting, drapery, fireplace, speakers, etc. “It’s usually a new client’s first request,” says Esteban Lopez of Esteban Interiors. “In the immediate future, it’s going to become a standard.”
The She Shed
The new man cave—for her, because women need their own personal space, too.
USB Ports and Car Charging Stations
People now expect to stay plugged in wherever they go. Accordingly, home builders are seeing an increase in demand for USB ports and car-charging stations. “It speaks to the technological advancements that have been made over the years,” says Chris Beucler of Zephyr home builders.
Engineered Stone
Quartz has become the go-to material for countertops. Engineered quartz is nonporous, antimicrobial, and scratch-resistant. “People are moving away from natural stone because of its propensity to react to acidic household elements, like milk, orange juice, tomato sauce, and wine,” Lopez explains.
A Private Bar
It’s five o’clock somewhere, and where better to partake in an end-of-day cocktail than your own house? Davidson says, “From freestanding to elaborate built-ins, people are bringing home the buzz.”
Less Is More
Homeowners are downsizing, opting for smaller spaces that are still impactful and impeccably designed. Beucler explains, “It’s not necessarily about having the largest home on the most acres of land, but rather having a home that’s sustainable and meets the urban lifestyle expectation without compromising luxury or quality of product.”
Drop Zones
These areas, located somewhere between the garage and kitchen, serve as a holding place for shoes, backpacks, coats, boots, umbrellas, and more. “They keep life organized behind the scenes,” Davidson says. “It’s like a command center.”
The Dirty Kitchen
This is “where the real mess happens,” Davidson says. Also known as a butler’s pantry, this smaller enclosed space is where homeowners can hide their prep and dirty dishes, while keeping their “show” kitchens pristine.
Appliances That Wow
“Appliances can add color, function, and fun to a kitchen or outdoor space,” Davidson explains. Colorful appliances, like those made by Bluestar Cooking and Hestan, offer an immediate and vibrant pop, just like a piece of accent furniture.
Artful Flat-Screens
Smart TVs can function as beautiful works of art when they are not in use. Subscription-based services, like Artcast, stream the artwork to you via Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, or other similar devices. Samsung also recently debuted its Frame TV, which comes with a sleek wood trim similar to a framed work of art.