Interior Design Considerations for a Custom Home

There is no doubt that the role of the home is changing. Due to the safer-at-home measures that have prevailed for the majority of the last year and the increasing availability of remote options to make your home the center of all things work and entertainment, the modern home is expected to have unprecedented versatility. As such, if you are building a custom home in 2021, consider any of the following trendy interior design features to help let your home thrive in the contemporary environment. 

1. Energy Efficiency

There is no turning back in the quest for a more sustainable society, and home design is right at the heart of this movement. Not only do energy-efficient homes protect the environment and help the homeowner save money on utility costs, but they are highly desirable on the market, as contemporary buyers are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly homes. Some creative ways to add energy-efficient features to your custom home include:

• Large windows to allow a more uninhibited flow of natural light
• White walls to better reflect light and create a brighter interior. If you feel like the all-white interior is a bit blasé, consider touching up your rooms with some creative farmhouse trim ideas to break up the space
• Energy Star appliances in the kitchen and laundry room
• Hard flooring that does not require electric vacuums or shampooers to clean

2. Productive Office Space

The COVID-19 pandemic turned the home office from a neat little bonus area to an absolutely essential feature. As such, it is vital that a home office space be included when designing your interior.

When designing the office in a custom home, consider the benefits of using innovative glass partitions and sliding glass pocket doors. Not only will this aid in energy efficiency by allowing the flow of natural light, but it will allow you to keep an eye on the rest of the house–an important feature for working parents. While on the topic of kids, it is also a good idea to use acoustic ceiling tiles in the home office so that any playing or bickering does not interfere with important video conferences. 

3. Home Gym

Much like the remote office is an important consideration in contemporary interior design, so too is the home gym. Even if you are not a workout buff yourself, having a dedicated space for a gym set-up will make your property highly appealing to buyers who want to workout while keeping their social distance. While natural light flow and soundproofing are strong ideas for the home gym, you will also want to be sure to equip this space with durable, non-scratch flooring, such as luxury vinyl tile.

4. Aging in Place

Even if you are not approaching retirement age yourself, there is no doubt that more and more people are retiring from the workforce creating a strong demand for homes that will serve residents during their golden years. As a result, aging in place features–those features that allow elderly residents to enjoy full comfort and functionality of their home as they age–can make your home highly attractive. Some common-sense aging in place features for your custom home’s interior includes non-slip tile in the kitchen and ADA grab bars in the bathroom to help prevent accidents. 

5. Ease-of-Maintenance Features

With the pandemic causing most residents to spend increased amounts of time in their home, any interior design features that can help your home withstand this additional traffic will be a huge bonus. Some creative ideas include:

• Nonporous quartz kitchen countertops that do not require sealing and can be cleaned with a wipe of the disinfecting rag
• An industrial bathroom that features exposed pipes and a rugged design to help minimize the noticeability of wear
• Window trim and sealing that keeps moisture away from the home’s interior and prevents the buildup of unsightly mold

Conclusion

Modern homes are expected to have versatility that is unmatched by their predecessors. Therefore, if you are planning a custom home in 2021, consider any of the aforementioned interior design trends to help your home maximize its potential.

Skylar Ross is a contributor to the Innovative Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Skylar is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.