Raleigh Relocation | Moving to Raleigh | Triangle NC Relocation Information: Which New Home Rooms are Growing in Popularity? | 2011 Home Design Trends Survey

We love the outdoor living rooms, in NH we can't get the year round use like warmer areas uf the US..

Always good to know the ways to improve your home that will appeal to the masses. That is great information. In St. Augustine Florida, the outdoor space is always the one that puts a listing over the top! at 70 degrees average temp year round the outside becomes very usable space! Happy New Year and thanks for the list!

Penny - Thx for sharing.  We've certainly been seeing more home office and mudrooms.  Outdoor makes perfect sense, but that does not apply to us, so we don't see it much.

Thank you for the information. I will bookmark this and share it with others.

The home office and in law suites resonate with me in this Southern Maryland Area!

Penny, this is a great share and i love the stats in how the outdoor living area has become a hot item!

It will be nice to see bull nosed granite, go the way of the 8-track.

Good post, thanks for sharing it.

Penny, looks like more people want to do outdoor living. I think the reason being more people like to entertain.

Nice post. Hope that you and yours had a safe and happy holiday. Looking forward to more blog posts in the upcoming year!

Penny, interesting article and great information to share with customers!  Happy New Year!

Rene - outdoor living is popular no matter the climate!  Bet you have some awesome fall days before the snow comes.

Diane - yes, outdoor living is an absolute "must" in FL!

Debbie - nearly every homebuyer wants a home office right now.  It can be a "cubby" office, a guest room that can convert to an office, a formal dining that converts to an office....definitely a must have.

Gita - glad to be of help.  Love your new profile pic!

Cheryl - definitely a lot of interest in mother in law suites.  More families are looking at combining households, especially when there is an elderly family member.   We've done a lot of design work with these types of homes!

Anthony - Do you not like granite, or just don't like bullnose?  We offer a total of 8 different standard edge styles.  Ogee is the most popular, but there's definitely a lot of variety!

I would love to have a true mud room.  A home I lived in as a child had one that I still remember.  Pegs for coats, places for boots and shoes and a laundry shoot to the basement!

Excellent observations.  The remodel and renovation companies should have lots of business trying to add mud rooms, outdoor living space and bonus rooms.  Hopefully, people with hire professionals and not try to do these items themselves.  Home renovations done by inexperienced individuals is a nightmare to resell.

I am all for leaving out the mother in law suites! I mean why do we want to encourage them to stay more! lol. I think the decline in the number of hobby rooms and the increase of the home office is very telling of our national economy! This was very interesting and I would have suggested had it not already been here! Happy New Year!

As Diane mentioned outdoor living spaces are high on the "want" list when searching for homes here in St Augustine Fl. The HomeBuyer's relocating from cooler states love the option of an outdoor fireplace and kitchen.

Entertaining information that brings back memories...At the peak of the Real Estate market about 3-4 years ago, everyone was spending money trying to fix up the outdoors BBQ's, patios, pools, jacuzzi's, landscaping and brick walks....Now, you can buy almost anything already dolled up for half price

Michael - with the changing economic climate, there's been a much stronger emphasis on entertaining at home, rather than spending a fortune out with friends.  I think it's a good trend, and will last even as the economy continues to improve!

Jo - we create mudrooms like that all the time!  Cubbies for shoes, hooks for backpacks and jackets, dividers to keep everything separate....the only difference is, we don't have basements here very much.

Helpful list that I'll forward to one of our builders ! Thanks!

Martha - and in many areas, bonus rooms finished without the appropriate permits can NOT be counted as finished space when reselling, so beware!

Rosalie - thanks very much!  Hobby and game rooms actually increased in 2011, after declining in 2010.  Interesting how that room just doesn't seem to go away, but it could also be a "renaming" of a bonus room or other area.  And home offices just keep getting stronger.   So many of us don't end the work day when we leave the office, and need a dedicated area to keep going at home!

Richie - maybe for half price in California, but not in NC!  The Raleigh area is still one of the strongest markets in the nation.  We are seeing trends towards homes that are a little smaller or don't have as many luxury features, but overall prices have remained strong (but reasonable).  We didn't have the "bubble" before, so pricing has maintained a fairly steady trend over the past 15-20 years. 

And there are so many outdoor projects that homeowners can do themselves for half the price.  Most tend to add a screen porch if they want one, but plan to add landscaping, pavers, and outdoor eating areas on their own.  It's a good way to save money, and not pay for 30 years for those features. 

Had to smile at the decrese in interior greenhouses! That's something we don't have in Alberta. Except if it's an illegal marjuana grow- op .

Penny,

I agree these features are trending and also add lasting value. SC

Interesting!  A turn towards outdoor living is great to me!  Thanks for sharing and congrats on the feature!

Very interesting how our lifestyles have changed, thanks for sharing the information.

Outdoor entertaining and outdoor furniture is really growing in our beach area of SoCal. Great post.

Interesting, Penny. I like the idea of a mud room, and I'm not surprised it is trending.

Karen - not too many interior greenhouses here, either!  Not sure where all those are being built.   Also interesting that safe rooms and storm rooms are declining, especially since it was such a busy storm year this year.  Who knows, maybe 2012 will trend up?   We've had some interest after the (rare) tornados we saw this year. 

I would have guessed the 'outdoor living' but not the others. Thanks for the good information!

Those tornados this year were enough to get me to wonder/ask those questions... the house we lived in at the time lost 1/2 of it's roof... we lived close to Lake Wheeler/Theys Rd

I NEVER want to experience THAT again.... ;>>

I have always thought of the mud room as something in much older homes.  Interesting to hear it is coming back!

I've had several clients this year want either a "sun room" or have the space to add one.  We might not have the weather in the Pacific NW for the outdoor living rooms but those sun rooms sure make a nice addition.  Good post.

Mud rooms, what the heck are these. Just a little warped humor from a Californian living in the Napa Valley who does not miss the winters back East. cheers in 2012, cvc

Erika - yes, it was a scary year here with those tornados!  I'm glad I have a daylight basement with a storage room at the back, that's my go-to spot. 

Emilie - anything that helps harried parents stay organized seems to be in demand.  What better way to keep the kids shoes, backpacks, and jackets where you can find them than a "drop zone" right off the garage. 

Penny this is great and now I am ahead of the the real estate trend with out outdoor space, mudroom and home office.

Thanks for sharing this great information!

I imagine more and more "in-law quarters" will be needed as baby boomer parents age.

In this market I can certainly see the increased interest in the Home office and In-Law Rooms.

Curtis - sounds like you weren't always a Californian!  But, hey, you don't even need mud to have a mudroom.   It's all about organization....

David - you're right on top of it all!

Carla - a sunroom probably makes more sense than a screen porch in your area, could get a little more use out of it, even on rainy days!

Penny- great information and interesting to see the trends.  Of course, here in South Florida outdoor living is key!  And of course with so many family members being on the computer, a home office is key!

Penny - Outdoor living space is the most admired feature on our courtyard style homes. It sells!

In law suites are definitely an up and coming trend! With the economy, its cheaper for the family to stay with family, so accommodating that requires the in law suite!

Very interesting!  In our area something that's a plus is a guest house, or at least a guest suite!

Working on my OUTDOOR LIVING space is on my list in 2012. 

In-law suites are not always for in-laws.  There are a lot of parents finding that their adult children cannot afford to live on their own and are returning to the nest.

Interesting!  I definitely understand the home office and the outdoor living, but I was suprised about the increase in mud room popularity.

Great list of rooms gaining in popularity. I've also seen a lot of "media rooms" with wet bar/kitchenette, becoming more and more common. I want one myself!

Gretchen

Great list and thanks for sharing the data.  The trend to home office is a no brainer.  Depending on the climate you live in, the outdoor space might be high on the list.  I love the idea of a mud room and much too many homes are missing a space to contain the clutter that comes with you when you enter and leave the home.  Wish I had had one while my kids were growing up.

Penny:

Interesting information.  I don't know about mud rooms in California, but maybe I am just not keeping up with trends here in Northern California. 

This is great info, especially since homeowners are often wondering about the best ways to update their homes, and they don't necessarily think of these types of spaces first. Depending on the location, outdoor living areas can really add a lot to the overall living space.

Jayne - having lived in the Bay Area at one point, I have a feeling it's only high-end luxury homes that feature a guest house.  But a guest suite is very important here as well, on the first floor with an attached bath.

Eric - you're right.  An outdoor living space (added correctly) to an existing home can really expand the overall "livability" of the home, especially if it's a smaller home. 

Evelyn - you may see mudrooms (or at least drop zones) in newer homes much more often than in older homes.   A mudroom doesn't necessarily need to be a large extra room - it's the organization and placement that really counts!

Mud rooms or combo mud/laundry rooms probably will become standard in new construction in the next few years.  Outdoor kitchens are popular selling features I am starting to see.

We've been looking at similar data from our new development condo business.  However, because we're talking about condo buildings and not single-family homes or townhouses, we tend to focus this sort of research on building amenties.  We determined that the must haves (or those that help the saleability of a project are):

1. Common roof decks
2. Bike Rooms
3. Gyms
4. Laundry rooms (if there isn't a W/D in each unit)
5. Private storage

Hi Penny,

I was thinking just today, after returning from walking the dogs down the slippery hill, that a MUD ROOM would be a real prize in our home! Thanks for this interesting post.

I changed the spare bedroom into a dedicated office.

I can see that and agree. I'm surprised formal dining room did not come up.  With open concept floor plans and larger eat in kitchens our local group has had a few discussions on what we are now using our formal dining rooms for. Some of my clients use it for an office, I have an office adjacent so I use mine for a sitting room.

Leslie - interesting you should say that!  I wrote a very popular post on that very topic. 

Are Formal Dining Rooms Going to Disappear?

Mike - we focus solely on single family homes, but I watch a LOT of HGTV, and I would agree with your choices here!  If I was looking for a condo right now, the items on your "must have" list would be on my list too.   And no swimming pool should mean lower monthly fees, so that's a plus for many.

Mud rooms are wonderful, I wish our house had one!  It seems like loft areas or hobby areas are growing in popularity here.

Dear Penny,

Interesting survey. In the Washington, DC metro area government & other employers have found that their employees are more productive in their bunny slippers and let them stay home a day or two per week. Sure cuts down on traffic, but of course you need a place at home to do that work.

Penny, I think the room that should be added with popularity is the Kitchen at least in my wife's case. She keeps talking about new lands to discover, I said how about discovering the kitchen it would make a great vacation. Just kidding great post.  

I think we will see a growth in home size, contrary to most people's predictions.  I think this is because more people will be working from home and multi-generational and extended families under one roof.  So in-law units will be big.

Hi Penny, interesting survey.  I am surprised by how much changed in one year.

Interesting stats, it is fun to see how things like these change from year to year. I'm surprised hobby rooms/game rooms are increasing, I can understand home offices and in-law quarters. Thanks for posting!

Sylvie - It's funny that someone else commented on Dining Rooms going away.  We custom designed a home for a client that's under construction right now.   They wanted to convert the Formal Dining into a huge Hobby Room with built-in countertops and cabinetry on two sides.   It's going to be a great craft/homework area for them. 

I must say that mud room is very popular in Long Island.

Happy New Year.

Here's a question I've been wondering about - how are different areas of the country doing with mother in law suite homes?

How many clients have you had over the past year who have asked for a mother-in-law suite? 

Did they want a kitchenette?  A private entrance?  Were they thinking of rental possibilities down the road?

Penny, I am working with a buyer who wants in in-law suite (or bedroom on first floor) and outdoor living plus an office.

Rebecca - well, you've about got the list covered!  Having much luck finding that combo?

EXCELLENT!   I checked out the article on AIA, and you've done an excellent job of compiling and condensing the MEAT of the article.   Thanks!  

This is great information!  As a Home Stager, I want to make sure buyers see what they want.  If these rooms are important to Buyers, then it is my job to help the seller define these rooms and make them attractive.

Hi Penny - This is a great post! I totally agree. I think we're seeing more outdoor living even with folks not moving. They want to put their money somewhere and aren't necessarily going larger. Hopefully this is a sign people are going to enjoy life a little more. :)

Best to you in 2012!

I thought a mud room was a staple already? I have to agree with outdoor living spaces but not much in Chicago. Nothing like snow at your barbeque.

Hi Penny, Wanted you to know that I referenced this blog in my own blog this week.  Thanks for the inspiration!

Lyn - this comes from an annual survey of architects, who are asked what they are including and what they are taking out as they create new floor plans.   Mudrooms HAVE been growing for some time, but are not included in every home, yet. 

Kathy - thanks!  Enjoyed the staging perspective, and loved your idea about how to easily turn an ordinary laundry room into more of a mudroom.

Mudroom? Wow, can't say I've ever had the...pleasure? Interesting, to say the least. Thanks for the post.

Clifton - had to check where you're from!  No mudrooms in Alameda, CA, huh?  Not hugely surprised since the average home size in California is smaller than elsewhere, but a mudroom that essentially functions as a storage area where parents and kids can hang up jackets and back packs, tuck shoes away, etc can be very helpful in any climate!

Thanks for the heads-up about my SPAM comments - I do love UGG boots; however, I suspect I am too old for Pandora bracelets and charms....NOW, NASCAR ballcaps! They are so me!