If you’ve been thinking about building a custom, maybe there are some custom amenities you’d like to include in your design, but aren’t sure what’s currently trending. Trending doesn’t mean it’s a fad, it means that it’s popular and that popularity can be due to the amenity being practical as well as luxurious. As home custom builders in Salt Lake City, we get to see first hand the top trends in custom home amenities before they hit the mainstream. Many are obvious – smart home technology has been leading the way for a while now, though it changes all the time. Some amenities are more whimsical than others – a bowling alley or indoor swimming pool isn’t for everyone, but for those who can afford the luxury these are things they desire and incorporate into their design.
These top trends in custom home amenities will certainly change over time, though some have been around long enough to become classic in their own right – a wine cellar has long been a trademark of a luxury home, though more and more custom homes feature them. Continue reading below for our favorite top trends in custom home amenities, maybe you can incorporate some of these ideas in our custom home design.
Top Trends in Custom Home Amenities
Gourmet Kitchens
If you’re going to spend money on your home, the most practical place to do it is on the kitchen. A gourmet kitchen will increase the value of the home and make it more appealing if you ever choose to sell. Today we’re seeing kitchens that are European inspired. Simple and clean design runs throughout the kitchen with features like microwaves that pull out like a drawer, two drawer dishwasher, drawers to store plates instead of using cabinets. It’s all about the drawers. Other features include under cabinet lighting to set the mood, audio system and smart kitchen technology.
Smart Technology
Technology can be found throughout the home. When designing custom homes, technology is on the top of most homeowner’s lists. Today’s custom homes can be run completely from a smart phone and you don’t even have to be in the home to turn on lights, set the security system, watch a movie, listen to music or vacuum the floors. Smart technology is growing at a rapid pace and will be something trending for a long time to come.
Indoor Bowling Alley
The indoor bowling alley is probably one of the most whimsical home amenities to be found in a custom home. Unless you’re a professional bowler, there’s simply no need for one so it’s complete luxury. There aren’t a lot of homes built with bowling alleys – the most famous one would be the Whitehouse built by President Truman in 1947. That bowling alley was eventually turned into what is now the Situation Room. A one lane bowling alley still remains in the Whitehouse was installed under the driveway portico by President Nixon.
Indoor Pool
Anyone can have an outdoor pool, but not everyone has the space for an indoor pool. Indoor pools are the epitome of luxury and a fantastic way to show off your whimsical side. Indoor pools rarely look like typical hotel pools, they usually incorporate themes such as Roman baths, tropical paradise or any other design the homeowner chooses. Indoor pools need to be maintained and require special care for the rest of the house, so they aren’t that common except in truly grand homes.
Wine Cellar
The wine cellar has been around since homes were first built. They used to be for only the rich and famous, but today even modest homes are built with wine cellars in them. A wine cellar can be as large or small and the home owner desires. Smart technology is incorporated into todays wine cellars. Everything from temperature control to humidity control can be regulated and monitored by your smart phone, inventory too.
Reclaimed Materials
Today’s custom homeowner is interested in more than just a grand home, they also want to help reduce their carbon footprint. Building eco friendly homes is important to us and our homeowners. Using reclaimed materials like lumber, doors, windows, paneling and more is a way to reduce waste and create a unique look to the home. Homes using reclaimed materials have rich and interesting stories to share in addition to looking fantastic and being eco friendly.
Eco Friendly Design
Speaking of eco friendly, one of the trends we see more and more are custom homes using eco friendly building practices. Not only are these amenities great for the planet, they also help reduce the cost of running the home and they look fantastic. More and more homeowners are using unique methods to build eco friendly homes and as far as we’re concerned it’s a trend we plan on paying attention to.
Outdoor Kitchens
More and more homeowners are building second kitchens outdoors in the backyard. What used to be a simple grill and maybe a fire pit, has turned into a full blown second kitchen. The advantage of a second kitchen outdoors is that the mess can stay outside while you entertain inside (or the other way around), and if the party moves outside there’s all you need to keep your guests happy. From a full bar, full size fridge, oven (or two) stove top, sink and freezer, when weather permits cooking outside is a great way to relax with friends.
These are just some of the top trends in custom home amenities that we’ve been seeing more and more. We’re thrilled to be custom home builders in Salt Lake City and are always on the lookout for the next new thing to share with our homeowners. If you’re thinking about building a custom home in the Salt Lake City are give us a call, we’ll help you build your dream home and include as many, or as few of these custom home amenities as you desire. Call us at 801-416-3131 to learn more.