This, in turn, affects the needs of builders. How can they best cater to these societal shifts as they translate to construction and design?

At ILG, we specialize in tracking these homebuyer trends so we can further advance our industry and educate builders on homebuyers’ needs—not just for today, but also for tomorrow.

Looking at future homebuyers’ needs is critical. According to the 2021 National Association of Realtors (NAR) Homebuyers & Sellers Generational Trends Report, Millennial buyers ages 22 to 30 years continue to make up the largest share of homebuyers at 37% (older Millennials at 23% and younger Millennials at 14%)—and Gen Z is right behind them. This younger demographic will also greatly impact how builders cater to macro generational changes in preferences and values.

In this blog, we will redefine what buyers need in a home. Specifically, we will be exploring the cherished concept of the kitchen, sustainable and green innovation, and how the cultural shift toward wellness is blending with integrative tech to create a new hybrid system of home design and construction.

A Larger Kitchen—& Dining Al Fresco

We’ve said it 100 times and we’ll say it again: the kitchen is the heart home—now more than ever.

The pandemic has humbled Americans in many ways, which plays into our view of the kitchen. Perhaps it is more resonant of Italians, where the kitchen is a temple for joy and community—it’s our la dolce vita, our sanctuary in a hyper-digital world of constant interruptions and 24/7 news. We need a haven from the outside world, and the kitchen has taken on that role.

Builders need to understand this romance with the kitchen and spend time carefully curating larger kitchen spaces flooded with light and designed for gathering. They must also prioritize kitchen construction as a great investment for the next set of homebuyers. Kitchen renovations are generating strong ROI when homes are sold, as homebuyers are increasingly looking to the kitchen as a make-or-break point in their decision. Therefore, builders can leverage their expertise by creating a modern, spacious kitchen that reflects the individual preferences of their customers.

One fun preferential trend we are noticing is the rising demand for outdoor kitchens as people long to return to nature and to each other. This extends beyond the barbeque to include high-tech space that fuses interior and exterior life. Elements such as are causing major buzz among builders who must expand the kitchen—not just inside, but also outside. After all, it’s the little things in life (and pizza ovens are fun!).

Energy-Efficient Everything

Utilizing greener materials, energy-efficient grids, and sustainable applications is another defining turn in the homebuilding process. Traditional building know-how, basic architecture, and engineering foundations are shifting to model high-tech and green innovation.

Research shows that 25% of homebuyers today value a home built with a portion of sustainable materials and concepts in mind. High-performing thermal layers (exemplified in well-insulated windows), passive solar design, and installing a drip irrigation system are all building methodologies that will increasingly become the standard.

It’s also important for builders to think non-toxic and local when it comes to sourcing their materials. This reduces excess waste, shipping costs, and energy costs while supporting American-made products.

ILG can help builders coordinate with these local vendors and suppliers while working on their next project—to deliver that eco-clean and trusted interior finish. We have a large network of installation partners with whom we work closely. Given our local market scale and extensive experience, we offer a streamlined process and high-quality end results.

Health Boosting Tech & Smart Homes

As a “” – Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier’s term for a house – the home should serve humans’ primary and primal functions. The structure should be timeless, comfortable, safe, secure, while embodying privacy and wellness. According to research, the 2030s will be defined by social, cultural, and policy rules that were reframed by the seminal event (so far) of our era: the pandemic. Because of this, wellness and technology are meeting one another in seamless union. Thus, health-boosting tech.

Health-boosting tech is a great feature to improve the quality of the home’s environment and increase home value. According to research, . ÌęHomebuyers of today prize a serene haven as the environment for their home—which can be achieved through elements such as heated floors and HVAC systems that emit essential oils like eucalyptus. This “spa” experience is becoming more common, not just because of demand, but also because of the improvement and accessibility of tech that’s streamlined as one unit. This makes these innovations more affordable for more consumers and easy to install.

Homebuyers of today also want physical safety, tangible proof of cost savings, and remote access, which Smart Home tech provides. For instance, through this technology, you can open the door for a friend or family member who needs to access your home, or you can lock or turn on security systems when you’re away.

Lighting control is another way to maximize wellness and reduce carbon footprint through “the Internet of Things.” According to , “Through crafty programming, lighting systems can be set to fully automated schedules that will turn off, dim or brighten whenever you want. Some systems can even detect whether you are away from home and turn off the lights to maximize energy savings.” This technology reads your needs and preferences before you are even aware of it yourself. It also saves energy and money and provides you with improved security that feels effortless.

Just as hardware and software are melding together in other industries, the same goes for home building. It’s necessary that builders understand this irreversible paradigm shift as they take on new projects and stay current on rapid innovations and latest trends in homebuyer preferences. ILG continues to lead the industry by providing key insights into these design and installation trends, making it that much easier for builders to create dream homes for their clientele.

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In today’s techy age, trends come and go with swiftness, from the news cycle, fashion, and of course, design. But amidst all the fast-paced fads, certain designs and color palettes maintain a classic and timeless feel.

Today, we will explore a few of our favorite kitchen color palettes that exude that timeless decorum, while still embracing a distinctive style.

White & BrightÌę

The Farmhouse-style craze enhanced the popularity of the all-white kitchen we commonly see today, beloved by millennials and prevalent on Instagram. Although many would say that the Farmhouse home (as a whole) has run its course, the white-centric kitchen design style of the modern farmhouse is here to stay. In fact, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) reported that in 2019, .

White is a great go-to for a kitchen as it not only enhances the open floor plan of the kitchen—which is another popular design style of today, but maximizes light, too.

Homebuilders and designers can also play around with white design elements by utilizing accents and utilities. By incorporating the iconic farmhouse apron-front sink, one can add a splash of white to demonstrate this trend without going overboard. One can also utilize the white color palette through the use of quartz or marble countertops, or white backsplashes, to give off that iridescent sheen.

Over the past five years, we have seen a huge increase in the use of engineered quartz and marble countertops compared to granite, primarily due to its lighter complexion.

This is a great way to incorporate the white and bright design trend in a more subtle way. In fact, studies show that overe of the modern homeowner.

Granted, white—if overused, can become almost too clean, or sterile. Therefore, it’s recommended to choose warm toned whites for the kitchen, featuring blonde wood accents or floors, colored backsplashes, and warm, golden lighting to cushion the space and balance out any risk of going too white.

Studies show that millennials value spaces that feel light, bright, and devoid of clutter, so modern white kitchens are also a safe bet for homebuilders to use as a foundation, as well as for homeowners to keep in mind when renovating a kitchen before selling their house.

Dramatic Blue & Gold

Over the past five years, blue has become quite popular in the kitchen when used as both a dominant color and an accent. That’s why blue cabinets with gold accents are, surprisingly enough, a safe bet for your next kitchen renovation project.

The duo speaks to the without going overboard. Blue also pairs beautifully with white, woods, concrete, and more, making it a great way to add a pop of color without clashing and overriding the overall look and feel of the kitchen.

Consider tones such as sky blue, azure, classic duck egg, navy, and Aegean teal for kitchen cabinets. Then, add in a touch of gold hues. These shades of blue light up the room and pair effortlessly with gold brassy hardware. The gold accents offer a playful, yet timeless feel to the kitchen, giving the space a sense of history, and makes a huge difference in the overall feeling when one walks into the kitchen.

For some, the blue and gold may appear too theatrical or intense for a kitchen space, so consider toning it down with a two-tone cabinetry set up. This has become a highly sought-after design choice, as it creates depth without becoming overly busy or chaotic.

For instance, one might choose half of their cabinets to be painted a warm-toned white, grey, or cream, while others are painted a deep, saturated blue—Voila!

If you like this playful aesthetic that is unique yet remains universal, then this color palette is for you.

White, Black, & Touch of GreyÌę

This soothing yet modern color palette is what we like to call “cozy industrial.”

It features whites, greys, black, brown, and sage greens. This style was born from the minimalist and Bauhaus influences that make up the revamped embrace of midcentury modern design, beloved by the contemporary interior design and architecture world. In the kitchen, this style incorporates earthy, raw tones that give an air of coolness.

This style, which mixes elements of an industrial kitchen or modern art gallery into a residential space, is another style that appears to be in vogue for the long run. Gutted ceilings, featured patches of grout, black hues mixed with distressed woods, and open shelving, all work in tandem to create an eclectic yet minimalist feel to the space.

A bonus of the industrial style is that it fits well with the stainless-steel appliances craze, which has become a defining factor in homebuilder and homebuyer kitchen value. In fact, HomeLight’s survey reported that buyers are about compared to houses that don’t have them.

When choosing a countertop for this aesthetic, it can be fun to go with grey marble, which is calm yet chic. Research shows that grey is the most popular alternative to white, with 27% of renovating homeowners embracing grey, from grey kitchen walls, grey flooring, and grey backsplashes.

Homebuilders can also implement a matte surface for their countertops by choosing honed, marble slabs that create a ‘smooth surface’ look and emphasize an industrial feel. For cabinets, choosing a rich black color to absorb the light can be a bold option that gives a statement of edge and modernity while also giving a clean, industrial look.

Recap

In short, this versatile range of kitchen color palettes are safe and aesthetically pleasing packages when looking to create a kitchen that will stand the test of time. They are modern, but not aggressively stylistic. They are distinct in their feel, but remain useful and ubiquitous.

These modern kitchen palettes reflect the broader tastes and lifestyle shifts of today, so our design experts believe these are trends that harbor staying power and will serve as the foundational choices for many homebuilders when designing kitchen spaces.

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Colors that match our ideals promote positive moods and perceptions. This is what everyone hopes to achieve in their home, which is why we all wait breathlessly for the release of Pantone’s Color of the Year. This year’s color: Very Peri, a periwinkle purple with red undertones.

Very Peri is the first Pantone Color of the Year ever curated from scratch, rather than selected from a catalogue of thousands of hues. The shade promotes looking at the world “through different eyes” and inspiring “,” according to Pantone’s executive director Leatrice Eiseman in an interview with The New York Times.

Very Peri is also aligned with modern tech sensibilities: there was even an NFT project that coordinated with its digital semblance and futuristic gaze.

So, what emotions does Veri Peri evoke and represent—and how can this be applied to interior design?

Let’s explore.

Variety is the Spice of Life

With design, color is the holy grail. We have seen its transformative power in real time and know how quickly it can set the tone of a room.

Veri Peri is an example of this emotive capriciousness.

While some designers praise its celestial and aquarian quality, others rebuke it for being perhaps too campy, too kitsch, cartoonish, and unsettling. For example, according to the , Georgia Wilkinson, studio coordinator ofÌęÌęin Leicester, England, criticized the color’s “brash and cartoonlike quality.”

However, when it comes to designing a home, color varies in an endless spectrum of tones, shades, pigments, and applications, so it’s important to experiment and test colors out for a cumulative period before jumping to conclusions.

For instance, you may glimpse the Veri Peri color as gorgeous and alluring at first glance. But after being exposed to the color over time, you may become uneasy or even anxious from its presence.

There’s your answer.

It’s time to choose another color and sit with that one.

Conversely, you may sit with the color and grow to love it more every day. Other designers have praised the color for its drama, with its blue hues signaling positivity. The designer , known for her adventurous color choices, described Veri Peri as “the color of the sky between dusk and dawn,” and suggested using it as an accent – a velvet sofa, a tiled backsplash, one wall out of four in a room, a bathroom wallpaper, etc.

Technology to the Rescue

ILG’s visualization technology can help homeowners determine which camp they are in, with Veri Peri or any hue. They can experiment with different colors and their subsequent emotions to determine if the color gives them what they need—be it a sense of joy and energy or a stabilizing calm or peace—and how it might be applied in their home.

Whether we know it or not, color has a polarizing effect on the psyche. We either respond to it well or we don’t. Veri Peri symbolizes how a bold color choice can provoke intense responses across the spectrum of human emotion.

For example, many people feel calmer with soft, brown tones. They value simplicity, remote work, movement, and meditation—a return to a more rustic vestige away from technology. Others are more daring and may be drawn to cheekier shades like Veri Peri. It all depends on personal preference.

When it comes to designing a home, the owner is empowered to choose, but it is wise to remind them of deep impact one color can have. That’s why ILG provides expert designer teams—among expert installation teams, to serve as a guide and ultimately make builders’ and buyers’ lives easier.

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A kitchen remodel is a necessity, and for some, a passion project. While the kitchen has always been the heart of the home, since the pandemic it has become an ever-greater focal point of connection and gathering, of warmth and safety. This contributes to the increasing importance for homeowners to leverage the potential of their kitchen remodel.

Increased attention on the kitchen space translates to the housing market, as an updated kitchen can greatly bolster home value. In fact, according to research, . Remodeling a kitchen with , and a .

Still, it can be overwhelming to choose renovations for the best return on investment—as well as the one that fits one’s personal preferences, budget, and timeline.

Here are some ways to leverage the potential of a kitchen remodel – and get the most bang for one’s buck.

Consider Adding an Island

Although adding a kitchen island is a bigger investment than other upgrades to this room, the return on investment is strong, and the pros of a kitchen island are plentiful and everlasting.

A kitchen island signifies space, luxury, and convenience for those who like to cook, value storage space, or need extra seating. An island plays upon optical illusions to create a sense of breadth and space, making kitchens appear much larger than they are.

According to industry findings, , and that number is expected to increase throughout the decade as Gen-Z and Millennials become more acclimated to the homebuyer landscape. Both functional and attractive, islands will always be in high demand, and it’s likely they will never go out of style.

Buyers can further leverage their kitchen remodel by carefully selecting their countertop material. Quartz countertops are great options, as they are extremely durable and economical, but still evoke beauty. Granite used to be all the rage, and although it still provides great utility, most people aren’t looking for darker countertops. Our ILG trends forecast recommends quartz and porcelain countertops. When selling a home, these countertop materials will appeal to a wider range of homebuyers.

Whichever material is chosen, an island invokes fresh energy into a kitchen, boosts home value, and creates more space to gather, eat, cook, and more.

The Future of Smart Kitchens

The demand for smart kitchen technology is a tide-changing shift in the industry.

According to Facts and Factors, the globalÌęÌęwas worth USD 11.76 billion in 2020 and is expected to reachÌęUSD 33.55 billion by the end of 2026, with aÌęcompound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 19.10%Ìębetween 2021 and 2026. This is huge for our industry and for the future of home renovation and design.

To leverage a modernized kitchen, think of a remodel as a seamless connection between the physical and digital spheres. For example, WiFi-connected appliances, smart speakers, and personal data privacy are just a few tech amenities that people want in their kitchen. Smart appliances, such as green dishwashers and smart refrigerators, greatly cut energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.

Due to this widespread digital evolution, there is . At ILG, we prioritize top-tier tech innovations to drive this collaboration between designers, tech integrators, and other channels, too—specifically by keeping our clients in the loop.

When it comes to leveraging kitchen renovations, it’s wise to invest in smart tech amenities and appliances, even if it’s just one smart appliance. Increasing standards for green energy, such as California’s pledge to go carbon neutral by 2025, will trickle down to the homeowner, so investing in smart, green tech will greatly bolster home value.

Cabinetry, Hardware & A Farmhouse Sink

Cabinetry optimizes storage space, which is a top priority for current homebuyers. And hardware exemplifies an aesthetic and elegant appeal without a laborious hassle. The accent pieces of hardware are cost-efficient and easy to install, and their accent goes a long way.

Cabinetry also couples well with increased demand for generous pantry space or a butler’s pantry. Well-designed cabinets can open space for other kitchen amenities and reserves, such as a wine fridge or wine nook/breakfast bar.

If installing new cabinets and storage space falls outside a homeowner’s budget, then they can enhance the brightness of their kitchen by simply refreshing cabinets with painting and hardware.

Additional trends in the kitchenscape can serve as a small investment that goes a long way. For instance, ; therefore, this beloved trend is a great addition to a kitchen remodel.

Conclusion

Working with ILG’s design and technology expertise can streamline the kitchen renovation process. We can work together with homeowners as a team to carefully curate their preferred countertop, cabinet installation, hardware options, and tech-integrated amenities.

This way, they can leverage their kitchen renovation to their timeline and budget while embracing their personal style and preferences. Working with us will also empower owners to work within the scope of design and material trends that will increase the value of their home.

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These benefits stem from the fact that current and future homebuyers increasingly value three prerequisites of modern life: mobility (the ability to get up and go), a personalized aesthetic expression, and access to Wi-Fi. This translates to home design, as well as what it takes to design your home online.

When it comes to homebuying, designing your home online means more than just saving money through virtual experimentation. It represents all three modern life prerequisites: achieving personal freedom and individual self-expression through digital finishes that then translate into the physical realty.

Here are some of the advantages of virtual home design for builders and buyers

Inspiration Boards

Whether it’s Modern Rustic, Earthen Contemporary, or Mediterranean Mod, virtual design can mix and match even the most juxtaposed materials or patterns to encourage home designers to be bold and creative.

Conversely, it can also show the homebuyer or builder what to avoid. For example, maybe mixing “industrial chic” tile with “contemporary farmhouse” flooring sounded like a cool combination in theory, but turned out not to be the right move in practice. With virtual simulations, the motto is “no harm, no foul.”

Naturally, budget is a concern even while buyers are exercising their creativity with inspiration boards. At łŐșș”çł” (ILG), our online design packages encompass the with sustainable pricing included to give customers an idea of what certain design choices would cost—a valuable tool.

Virtual home design also allows the homebuyer and interior designer to co-create different mood or inspiration boards from endless sources on the internet. This is not only fun, but it’s free, and it allows ILG designers to best emulate and produce the visionary desires of the client—whether it’s for a bathroom, kitchen, backyard area, or the entire home.

3D Renderings

The ability to create 3D renderings is also a fascinating part of designing a home virtually.

Builders and buyers can analyze different colors, patterns, and materials within a space, as well as get an idea of how they would translate—not just on a wall or the floor, but within the space as a whole.

At ILG, we offer premiere, realistic, and cutting-edge 3D technology to give our clients the most accurate depiction of their dream home. 3D renderings provide the “big picture” of design, and they can often change buyers’ minds (in a good way) about the design choices to which they were previously married. This is beneficial because they can save time and money by seeing this virtual reality ahead of its conception.

3D renderings are also great for the builders and industry-experts who work together to manifest construction projects into a finished building or home. Virtual design encourages organization and collaboration between all the parties involved in construction or renovation projects. With virtual design, with integrated details on materials, quotes, and time estimates to enhance presentation and clarity for their clients.

Trend-setting Design & Materials – Without the Pressure

Virtual design is also a great way to manage the impact of recent supply chain shortages.

In addition to providing top-quality virtual design tools, we also have curated a private-label brand program, Palette. The program has carefully researched supply chain availability and can help direct homebuyers and builders to materials that are easy to source, within reasonable price range, and deliver aesthetics and quality.

With virtual design, you can sample different materials and colors until you feel you have found the right pairing. There is no time limit or outpouring of funds when you are designing online. It’s truly a window to be curious and explore your creativity. Virtual home design provides a break from the stress of big financial decisions and timelines—instead, it is a time to be expressive and open-minded.

Tools for designing online also take the pressure off builders, but in a different way. Through data analysis, and helps contractors win more project bids.

Conclusion

Whether you want to redesign one room, remodel an entire home, or build and design from the ground up, ILG design technology and installation services can lend a hand. Our tools for designing a home online can help bring these projects to the finish line creatively and efficiently for all involved.

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Palette by ILG provides curated product solutions for homebuilders that encompasses on-time installation and closings, the best design trends and market competitive pricing. Our program consists of “good,” “better,” and “best” options to accommodate a range of needs, with specific focus on vinyl plank, tile, laminate, hardwood, and carpet. We understand the value of a premiere design experience rooted in innovation, quality, and attention to detail.

Equally, our team understands how the current homebuilding environment can be daunting, causing overwhelm and fatigue, especially for first-time homebuilders or those who are ready to renovate. Today’s insufficient supply has sparked issues around product availability, cost escalation, and other factors. At the same time, there is so much to choose when it comes to installing new home finishes—and that can be daunting and confusing for homebuilders as well.

Palette by ILG was born out of a desire to solve for these pain points. We carefully curated our program to give builders an essential breath of fresh air. We offer tangible solutions that cover a wide range of needs, and we’ve teamed up with the most trusted vendors in the industry to create a world-class private label program that will provide our customers with greater stability and a sense of relief. Palette by ILG i allows our customers to trust our team with expert installation, delivery, and services.

Here is a more detailed overview of our services.

Ìę

Vinyl Plank

Vinyl plank flooring is the new darling of flooring installations. Similar to sheet vinyl and vinyl tile, which were always the most economical choice for kitchens or bathrooms, vinyl plank is the luxury extension of the vinyl family. Unlike original vinyl, which is flimsy, vinyl plank is much thicker and is fabricated in long planks. The planks are also designed to “click-lock” together for convenience and longevity.

With its multi-ply layers, vinyl plank mimics wood flooring extremely well. With lumber prices ballooning, vinyl plank serves a cheaper alternative that still signals quality.

Since the demand for vinyl plank continues to grow, there has been a burst of other offerings for vinyl plank, such as ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone like marble or granite.

Our team is well-versed in the range of choices when it comes to vinyl plank and can work with customers’ budgets to figure out the best and most economical applications of vinyl plank.

Tile Solutions

Tile adds so much personality and je ne sais quoi to a room—and it doesn’t take much!

Our team are the best and brightest of tile specialists who know how to conceptualize a buyer’s vision within their budget.

Our tile program offers a standard level with two colors as well as a good, better, best for field tile, backsplash and subway tile—if a customer wants to add that pop of color to their kitchen or make their shower reminiscent of a chic-New York City subway.

Our field tile also has coordinating trim pieces and shower mosaics available, and our materials come in a variety of smooth porcelain, soft ceramic, earthy stone, and glass.

Laminate

Laminate is great for everyday surfaces that see a lot of wear and tear, and it’s perfect for homeowners who have kids running around (hint: kids spill!). It’s easy to clean, economical, and efficient to install.

Palette offers four product levels that include a standard, plus a good, better, and best option. Our laminate products showcase illustrious and premium hardwood visuals, maximum scratch protection, and fade resistance. Since laminate is more sensitive to moisture, we usually recommend avoiding installing laminate in the bathroom. That being said, our best-level laminate provides a waterproof product and has an attached pad. Product thicknesses are 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm. All products have coordinating transitions with stair nosing available, and all products are made in the USA.

Hardwood

Wood can be tricky—and costly, so picking that perfect tone can be stress-inducing.

Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you and your customers, providing only the best wood from which to choose.

We offer a six-level wood program including a standard level with a variety of specs spanning oak, hickory, maple, brushed and wire-brushed products—each one of them gorgeous and sure to provide homes with a warm foundation.

Buyers can choose from wood product thickness of 3/8″, 1/2″, and 9/16″. Why does wood thickness matter? Well, it depends on the subflooring of the home. If the subfloor could use stabilizing, we recommend thicker planks to bolster its structural integrity.

We also offer upgraded products that include ply core and Duras Repel with water-resistant cores. All products have coordinating transitions and stair nosing available. And here’s a cool fact for you: 90% of our products are made in the USA. This is not only rare for today’s home products, but it’s the kind of products that consumers prefer. According to research, when it means better quality and longevity—this is the essence of what Palette provides.

Carpet

Did someone say new carpet?

Our carpet program maintains five levels including a standard level offering a variety of colors and styles including solids, tonals, textures, patterns, fleck, and loops. Our product mix includes both polyester and nylon fibers with stain protectants—so it’s great for those prone to allergies, puppies who have accidents, and perfect for that one guest who is prone to spilling red wine on a clean surface.

Once more, all our carpet products are made in the USA.

The Bottom Line

We cannot control outside forces and factors, but we can always zero in on expertise and talent. That’s what we’ve done with Palette by ILG. We’ve also created a stellar team that knows how to adapt at the forefront of the industry, so we can deliver authentic and innovative services.

Palette by ILG product samples are available for design studios and sales offices in addition to utilizing ILG’s visualization technology for all design needs.

It’s an exciting time to be in the building industry. Let us help you reach your goals with our exciting new program.

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As people continue to revamp and invest in their homes—and the space outside their homes—it’s important for builders to be educated on the latest home design trends. By staying on top of these trends, whether they are faddish or grounded in a more long-term cultural shift, builders can maximize business and provide much-needed guidance to home buyers.

Here are a few emerging home design trends that smart builders are integrating into their studios and showrooms.

Evolving Technology & Sustainable Materials

Experiential tech is rapidly innovating and improving. Soon, our homes will be self-sustaining, tech-savvy hubs that reflect our moods, needs, and desires. (Think: Alexa 2.0: total control of your home with wireless connectivity.)

Using a smartphone or a built-in “smart home” system, homeowners will be able to control everything from temperature to lighting, and more for optimal comfort. The technology will also allow homes to operate with conserving both money and natural resources.

Builders must 100% pay attention to the latest built-in tech homes, which consumers of all incomes are increasingly seeking. According to , technology-integrated homes provide efficient living spaces and extraordinary functions that can elevate one’s lifestyle.

Builders can incorporate tech and sustainable materials into their showrooms by explaining how they prefabricate materials in a controlled environment to improve quality and eliminate excess waste.

Additionally, builders can look into qualifications for meeting Leadership in Environmental & Energy Design (LEED) standards to better showcase their sustainable measures to prospective clients and homebuyers.

Curvaceous Design & Accents

Builders can expect to see an increased demand for more arched openings, barrel-vault ceilings, and more voluptuous yet clean furniture, resonant of , Mid-Century Modern, and even hints of Art Nouveau.

It’s time to part with “straight-line syndrome” and embrace this new era of more maximalist self-expression without compromising or overriding the juxtaposition of clean, open-air looks that have become a staple of our times.

Outdoor Luxury as the Preferred Luxury

Americans have undergone a cultural shift in how they view the area outside their homes. In fact, outdoor space has become one of the biggest deciding factors in home buying as

Additionally, people value the mental health aspect of being outside. We have seen this manifested in the form of biophilic design incorporated into office, workplaces, and retail experiences – and the same is true of the home. Co-mingling nature with shelter is leading to one of the greatest shifts in buyer priorities.

This is where landscaping and hardscaping are essential – builders can design extensive patios and innovative landscaping that maximize backyard and patio space while also making it a flexible space. They can also bring the outside inside by incorporating natural fabrics, themes and colors into home finishes.

Conclusion

The ethos and narrative of the home has changed.

As people’s values and intentions have realigned over the last couple of years, they want homes that reflect their individuality and personal styles. Builders can take advantage of this shift by remaining attuned to the latest home design trends and showcasing them in refreshing ways in their design studios and showrooms.

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Due to the growing popularity of virtual tours, some questions you may be asking about them are, “Do they really boost home finish spending? And if so, how?”

Let’s start with the basics. We know from research that virtual tours have three primary benefits: They drive sales conversion, increase homebuyer confidence, and maximize options revenue.

And yes, when it comes to home buyers, there’s one more benefit: the virtual tour can greatly boost home finish spending.

We’ll break down how this works below.

Younger Generations Love Everything Virtual

Virtual tours appeal across demographics – but they are especially beloved by Millennials and Gen-Z, who are accustomed to a virtual experience and trust the story it tells – even when it comes to homebuying before they’ve seen the space in-person.

łŐșș”çł” (ILG) has seen this phenomenon among younger buyers when they discover our virtual design platform that transforms the homebuying and design process into an immersive digital experience. In fact, we’ve created the industry’s most powerful virtual home shopping, design, and analytics platform. Increasingly, homebuilders across the country are maximizing their results with this efficient, digitally savvy platform, noting that first-time homebuyers are especially enamored by it.

Our virtual design tools increase confidence among homebuyers by showing them a realistic, 3D rendering of their future home complete with custom finishes – almost like a video game where you can design and visualize the home of your dreams. This experience accomplishes three things:

• It instantly gives prospective homebuyers a sense of ownership and autonomy.
• It captivates and holds buyers’ attention longer – in the same way videos make people take notice.
• It gives homebuyers the ability to visualize every single finish option within their new home

According to the National Association of Homebuilders,Ìę, which means they are young and well-adapted to the digital landscape. In fact, . And if they’re more comfortable using this technology to view a prospective home, they’re likely to be at ease choosing and buying their home finishes that way, too – and more relaxed about how much they spend.

Virtual Tours Relieve Stress While Increasing Interaction

Once you have committed to your home, it can be overwhelming to think of finishing touches. Digital platforms like Design Online can assuage this post-purchase overwhelm as it makes it easy to see every detail and angle of your home.

The ability to view results in advance when it comes to mixing and matching color schemes, tiles, cabinets, and other materials alleviates the pressure and guesswork when choosing finishes – especially among typically more cautious first-time buyers. Prospective buyers save themselves a colossal amount of time, money, and stress buying virtually as compared to traditional experimenting with various design techniques, colors, and finishes.

For example, if you want to experiment with a “zestier” kitchen backsplash – something a little bolder like a bright green, you can test it through our design platform and witness how it would fit in (or not) with the rest of your home design. You get your answer without any commitment or risk. You either love the way this fun backsplash looks, or you sigh in relief that you didn’t actually make that “zesty green” mistake in your kitchen.

Virtual home tours and design also de-stress other facets of homebuying. If you can see what your kitchen backsplash will look like in place – and you love it – then you’re going to order it right then and there. This makes the process easier and simpler for the homebuyer and increases business for the builder/design studio.

Other benefits of removing the stress from choosing home finishes include greater buyer satisfaction, improved builder revenues, and increased customer loyalty for the long term.

Digital Platforms Create A Sense of Luxury without Money Wasted

Today’s virtual tour technology makes these platforms increasingly beautiful and fun to use. This combination of aesthetic appeal and improved buyer experience creates a sense of luxury that’s hard to resist.

As digital tools advance, the virtual tour experience garners multiple wins for buyers and businesses and will be increasingly used in the homebuying and decorating process. By appealing to younger home buyers, relieving the stress of choosing finishes and creating a sense of luxury, virtual tours can boost home finish spending and benefit builders’ bottom lines.

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But not just any paint color: a Benjamin Moore Paint Color of the Year. On the company’s website, October Mist is described as evocative of a flower stem, “.”

These days, who doesn’t need to feel anchored and uplifted? As we’re all spending an increasing amount of time in our homes overall, it’s important to cultivate a home that is our last bastion of serenity, warmth, and rejuvenation. The ethos of October Mist reflects these intentions. It’s also calling attention to autumn and the symbolism of fall, a time of harvest, fertility, and abundance as well as a time of great change and letting go.

Hello, 2022! Here are a few themes łŐșș”çł” recommends for incorporating October Mist into homes and design studios.

Cozy & Calm

This pigment is perfect for a living room grounded with books, a fireplace, and throw blankets. It’s also a great accent for a bathroom wall or bathroom cabinets, providing an earthier and more nuanced tone for bath and shower expeditions. It could even be used in that spare bedroom that would be perfect to convert into a yoga/fitness room.

This color could even serve as the impetus for finally clearing that room out and adding a yoga mat with sound bowls or a Peloton (to each their own). Additionally, the sage green pairs beautifully with granite, quartz, or marble countertops for your latest kitchen renovations. The great thing about October Mist is that it’s calm and simple, but it’s not white, so it provides an overall sense of uniqueness without being too quirky.

Flamboyant Flair

Another great thing about October Mist is that it also knows how to have fun. It’s not a hue confined to the calm, minimalist meditator, but can pair just as well with a Moroccan rug or provide as a soothing backdrop to a playful, rococo painting or poster. Homeowners are free to add as much color and personality as they would like with October Mist.

In 2022, there’s appears to be an untethered desire for self-expression amongst the collective. We’re all ready to get out of our caves and paint the town—not red, but sage green?! There’s definitely a tone of absurdity along with the “zen” mood of tranquility and desire to rekindle our connection to nature. And that’s what’s cool about October Mist: it holds space for both. One moment you can feel like a hermit who just wants to unplug from the world and the next moment, you can feel totally zany and ready to party with your fellow humans.

Biophilic Design

This sage green reflects the wisdom of plants—like sage itself, for one! With the rising “indoor plants everywhere” trend, October Mist also serves a supporting haven for this shift to overall biophilic design. Natural materials such as wood, limestone, etc. pair heavenly with October Mist, like cheese with a fine wine. Some elements just go together. We can’t explain it, but we can feel it at a sensory, intuitive level.

October Mist has its place in many design interiors. Whichever motif you choose – cozy & calm, flamboyant flair, biophilic design, or a completely different theme – this hue’s ubiquitous nature can enhance and nurture the best features inÌęany part of the home.

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This duo owes its popularity to looking fresh and modern while remaining , and it is adaptable to a variety of consumer style tastes. For these reasons, it makes sense to include grey and white home finish combinations in your design studio.

As the leading national installer for select high-value and stylistically important interior finishes including flooring, cabinets and countertops, łŐșș”çł” has a pulse on the latest design trends for today’s home buyers. Here are our recommendations for incorporating a grey and white color palette into your design studio.

Mix shades of grey with white.

Let’s get one thing straight: Grey and white, done right, is anything but boring. Using different saturations in grey tones can really harmonize in a room. The lighter and darker tones play against each other to create visual interest and places for the eye to move.

Think charcoal countertops and slate-grey plank flooring with soft white walls and cabinets and a smoke-colored door. Add black cabinet hardware and silver-toned appliances for an interesting mix of grey and white that’s also warm and comforting.

Leveraging the many shades of grey available in home finishes throughout your design studio can provide a wonderful series of options for home buyers, regardless of their unique tastes and preferences.

Add a pop of color.

A nice feature of grey and white is that it can sit back and let other elements of a room shine. One way to take advantage of this feature is by adding a pop (or several) of color.

We love bright red with neutrals, but just about any vivid hue will work, from fuchsia to cobalt to forest green. These bold accents can be implemented as a painted door frame or baseboards/molding, drawer pulls, light fixtures, or an area rug. In fact, painting the ceiling of a room a brighter shade than the walls (especially if the walls are white) is an emerging trend in home design.

Cabinets with glass doors that show off the vibrantly colored dishes and other accent pieces inside also work well with a grey and white design palette. In fact, placing pops of color in clear-doored cabinets is a great strategy for jazzing up any neutral-toned rooms in a home-design studio. Ash-colored cabinets with white shelving are an excellent combination for this choice.

Don’t forget to include white to model rooms so buyers have relief from the grey and bright pops, perhaps in the form of a waterfall countertop or tile flooring.

Enrich the look with textural elements.

Beautiful home design isn’t all about color—texture plays a major role in giving a room depth and intrigue.

Great texture can be achieved by mixing materials and patterns in a room – such as a marble countertop, metal appliances, and tile flooring with soft seating and a jute rug.

With the grey and white palette, how about shaking up the status quo using textural elements? Instead of grey wood plank flooring, for example, consider plank-style cabinets. Add grey and white marbleized flooring or wallpaper either throughout the room or in an alcove for another unexpected take.

Remember that, just like color, some texture in a room is good, while too much can be off-putting. The idea is not to create a disorienting hodgepodge, but a polished design that is pleasing to the eye and evokes a true sense of comfort and a feeling of home for buyers.

Incorporating grey and white design schemes into your studio can appeal to a wide variety of home buyers. By mixing shades of grey with white, adding a pop of color, and enriching the look with textural elements, builders can create model rooms in their studios that will exceed buyers’ expectations.

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