As with every industry, the construction industry experiences changes as it evolves from year to year. The most up-to-date construction trends vary from environmentally conscious designs to the industry’s latest styles. Still, builders face unique challenges in today’s housing market with COVID-19 complications, material shortages, sky-rocketing prices, and record demands. Additionally, the permanency of home design often makes it difficult to balance style and function effectively.
So, how do construction industry leaders effectively plan for today’s homeowners? What trends can we expect to see through the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022? How can construction companies keep business moving with supply shortages? Let’s discuss!
Top Construction Plan Trends for 2021
One of the most significant changes we’ve seen post-pandemic is the relationship people have with their homes. The COVID-19 pandemic transformed traditional living spaces into the epicenter of people’s lives. With homeowners locked down in 2020, residential homes became workspaces, school spaces, and hideouts as the world fought off a vicious virus.
Now that we’ve emerged on the other side of this seclusion, many people have become restless in their current homes. The desire for new living spaces caused the housing market to explode, with the real estate industry struggling to balance supply and demand. This historic housing boom and the lingering effects of the pandemic have prompted significant changes in the home construction building industry.
Not only do we need to look at the way people live in their homes, but we also need to look at the other functions of today’s average residential household. The design and construction changes we’ve seen in the industry are significant. Here’s what we can expect to continue for construction plan trends as we end 2021 and make our way into the new year.
1. Multi-Functional Spaces Are a Must
The pandemic forced many consumers to reevaluate how they use their homes. Today’s average residential home is not just a dwelling space to unwind after work and school and relax on weekends. Most homeowners also use their space as home offices, schools, recreation facilities, and gyms. That’s why flexible, multi-functional spaces are a must-have construction plan trend for 2021.
Since we don’t know where home usage will take us as the pandemic continues to subside, construction professionals need to be creative and open-minded. For example, adding living space that can be used as a home office then transformed into a home gym or recreational area is an excellent move for builders. Similarly, using outdoor space or free-standing additions to provide multi-functional space on smaller properties is a selling point.
Potential homebuyers are looking for extra rooms as they envision the trend of spending more time at home will stick around. Regardless of the function of these homeowners’ current spaces, builders need to ditch the strict boundary lines to make spaces flexible in today’s economic climate.
2. Energy-Efficient Homes Are Trending
Over the last several decades, we’ve seen an increase in the demand for energy-efficient homes. Today’s average homeowner loves the dual purpose of these properties. Not only do you reduce your carbon footprint and save on energy consumption, but you also lower your monthly utility bills with this common construction plan trend.
The tiny house craze is one way we’ve seen energy-efficient options take off on the housing market. Sustainable, budget-friendly, and energy-efficient is the way to go. This is particularly true with rising housing market costs. Buyers simply can’t afford the astronomical prices we’re currently seeing in the real estate industry. Between the buyer demand and the increasing shortage of building supplies, buying a residential home is more expensive than ever.
Even without the increased real estate demand, consumers have focused on energy efficiency as one of the top wish-list items for several years when buying a new home. The construction industry expects the call for energy-efficient windows, appliances, materials, and other household components to stick around for years to come.
3. Open Floor Plans Are Losing their Appeal
Open floor plans and wide-open living spaces were once a trend that every potential homeowner was looking for when shopping for their dream home. With more and more people living, working, and learning from home, open floor plans have lost their appeal. Even as families return to in-person learning and move back to their traditional workspaces, homeowners can’t unsee the benefits of private spaces.
The open concept will always be desirable for some, but others are stuck on the benefits of a formal layout. Separate dining spaces allow families to come together and focus on their meals. Private home offices keep remote professionals from home life distractions such as laundry and dirty dishes. Quiet spaces, more walls to decorate, and fewer at-home distractions are some of the most significant reasons construction plan trends are switching to more traditional layouts with private rooms.
4. Changes in Building Materials
With the increased supply shortage and rising material costs, builders find unique ways to satisfy consumers and adjust to the post-pandemic industry changes. As standard materials become more expensive, recyclable options and sustainable products are becoming more popular. Changes in tax tariffs and job shortages only add to the inflation, making astronomical prices for traditional building materials.
Today, using different materials combined with innovative building methods is helping balance the rising costs of construction. Combined material houses aren’t just famous for their cost-savings properties. This new construction plan trend is adding charm and durability to the market.
Even better, new materials and technological advances continue to strengthen the construction industry. Modern construction technology makes mix-and-match potential endless. For example, builders are mixing wooden first floors with brick second floors. If it’s in your budget, there are no boundaries when it comes to potential. Recyclable materials also add to the eco-friendly home design demand, reducing waste and further increasing energy efficiency.
5. Wellness for the Win
Following the COVID-19 health crisis, healthy homes are more important than ever. The industry is seeing a renewed focus on wellness when it comes to construction plan trends. Homeowners are more tuned in than ever on how our homes impact our health, and that means they’re looking for healthier features when it comes to new construction builds.
Hot commodities in construction are low-VOC paint, energy-efficient HVAC systems, insulation materials that improve air quality, and construction techniques that positively impact our health. Of course, the industry has significantly changed its practices from the way older homes were built. Still, an increased focus on healthy homes is a growing trend as we enter 2022.
Construction plan trends change significantly from one year to the next. Still, the past two years have undoubtedly changed how we view our living spaces and shaken up the housing market. If you want to discuss your options and explore the industry’s latest trends, explore our services. Contact Keen Construction to book a free consultation and start your dream build today!
