Top 10 Housing Trends Sighted at National Council of the Housing Industry Conference

• Ditch the living room – no longer a valid or desired room.
• Increase and support use of renewable and healthy products, materials and building processes.
• Hide the garage. Consider side entry, rear attach or detach garage from the house.
• Indoor/outdoor living, this is important in all markets.
• High density housing on small lots, but attention paid to architectural details.
• More exterior color uses, go beyond beige.
• Create more attractive home entry, even beginning at the street by creating different ground levels to add overall interest.
• Focus on the kitchen in general, specifically islands.
• Details, details – interior and exterior. Don’t leave them out.
• More natural light with windows and skylights.

Other practices and trends observed included flat screen TVs as a norm, as well as an over riding theme on the importance of creating a “sense of arrival,” “sense of place” or “wow factor.” In addition, the idea of furniture style vanities as a method to achieve emotional connection in the bath is just taking hold.