Build it once, build it right. That’s the mantra of custom home design, in which the goal is to produce a home that will stand the test of time and still be relevant decades from now—and look good in the process. Future-proofing your home means incorporating sustainable home design and future-forward elements into its design, so you can avoid costly remodels down the road. Here are five hot trends to consider as you plan your custom house design.
Build An Adaptable HouseÂ
Designing a home that is adaptable to changing needs is one of the first things we encourage our clients to consider. Thinking about what you need from it now and at different stages of your life is crucial to creating an adaptable home.
The needs of most families with young children differ from what they require as they move into retirement or have ageing parents who may live with them. Future-proofing a home now can save money on a costly renovation in the future.
Having an en-suite bathroom on the ground floor, or a space that could easily be converted to one is a good example. Families with small children prefer to have all their bedrooms on the same level. Multigenerational families are living together more and more, and stairs can be a problem, so it makes sense to plan single storey home and a ground-floor bedroom with an en suite.
Consider Sustainable Home Design Â
Sustainable home design is one of the most important trends in home design today. Sustainable homes are designed to be energy efficient and have a smaller environmental impact than traditional homes. One way to make your home more sustainable is to choose materials that are environmentally friendly and have a long lifespan. Another way to make your home more sustainable is to design it for multifunctionality. A multifunctional home is one that can be easily adapted to changing needs and lifestyles. If you anticipate changes in your family size, work situation, or interests, you may want to consider designing it. You will also find these homes easier to maintain and update as the years go by.
Invest In Smart Home Technology To Future-Proof Your Home
A smart home is a multifunctional home that uses technology to make your life easier. In the past, only wealthy people could afford to have a smart home. But now, thanks to advances in technology, anyone can have a smart home.
A popular trend for homeowners is using smart technology for renovations, for a number of purposes such as changing lighting and heating in the house, locking doors remotely, or viewing video from surveillance systems on a smartphone or tablet. Autonomous alarm systems are also very desirable features for any home, so much so that most companies incorporate the installation of video, smart technologies, and other perks into their system.
Enhance Energy EfficiencyÂ
One way to future-proof homes is to make energy-efficient improvements. This not only saves you money on your energy bills, but it also helps the environment. You can install solar panels, wind turbines, or geothermal heating and cooling systems.
While replacing outdated appliances with energy-efficient ones may cost more upfront, they will prove to be very cost-effective in the long run. The newer high-end appliances will also last longer. In addition to replacing old toilets with low-flow models, you can switch out outmoded tank-style water heaters with energy-efficient, tankless models to future-proof your home.
Make Changes To The Wiring Â
You can future-proof your home by installing additional outlets, running new wires, or upgrading your electrical panel. By doing these changes now, you’ll be ready for any new technology.
Whenever you upgrade your wiring, consider where you wish to have access to your Internet, Ethernet, cable or other types of wiring in your home and how you might need this in the future. Then, make the necessary changes to your wiring. Wiring your home with extra conduit during the installation process will ensure that you will not miss out on future wiring needs as technology develops — making your home even more future-proof.
Looking to live in a flexible and custom house design, have a look at Choice Homes’ broad range of designs, which will allow you to maintain the lifestyle you want now and in the future. If you’re wondering what sorts of single-storey, two-storey, acreage, or narrow lot homes we offer or have any other inquiries, feel free to call us.
