See the shake up in top priorities for 2022 custom homes: Top 11 “must have” requests from new home buyers.
2022 custom home trend #1: Stock-up space
Convenient places to store paper goods, food, cleaning products and emergency tools are all in huge demand, as people focus on preparedness.
Walk in pantries are designed for a lot more than food storage, with sinks, pull out shelving, countertops, nooks and crannies, and natural light
Walk in closets are designed with custom cubbies, cabinets, furniture, shelves anddressing areas
Walk in attics can be so huge you can ask to have them finished like the rest of the home, like this optional “Craft Room”
2022 custom home trend #2: Secret passages
Secret Passageways are popping up all over the place in new custom homes.
We create creative secret passages from one child’s room to another. Behind hidden panels. Through bookcases. We can’t even tell you everything we build. It’s secret.
2022 custom home trend #3: Flex space
There’s often at least one room in new homes designed to be converted, such as this loft spaced just right for a play room, office, study area, or crafting – flexible with life.
Need something special built-in, such as additional walls, soundproofing or aging-in-place features? Ask your builder what can be added to tap into for future use.
2022 custom home trend #4: Massive Island kitchens
Kitchen islands in today’s new homes are stretching size limits as high as space allows, like the massive island with microwave beneath in this custom designed two story kitchen created for great cuisine gatherings.
2022 custom home trend #5: Main floor owners suite
Homebuyers planning their “forever home” appreciate “aging in place” features and a floor plan where the owner’s suite – and day to day living – is all on one floor.
2022 custom home trend #6: Guest suites
Dual owner’s suites, guest suites, and private apartment quarters within the home are top reasons homebuyers look to custom home builders who can go beyond stock floor plans and build in what’s needed.
2022 custom home trend#7: Work space
Custom built-ins create special spaces for office, homework, quilting, shop, or anything else you need to get the job done.
Often, a small pocket office can be woven into a plan to create a a nook that can also be used for storage, hobbies, or a pet room.
2022 custom home trend#8: Mudroom with drop zone
Drop zones have become the top focus for mudrooms as a way to leave coats and clutter at the door – where it’s easy to find later.
Drop zones are often designed in conjunction with laundry rooms and are typically by the back door – but a custom builder can tuck them in other places, too, like this this all-purpose room that also has a dog house.
2022 custom home trend #9: Indoor/outdoor living
Fresh air has taken on a whole new connotation in today’s lifestyle – with increased requests for indoor/outdoor living, like covered and screen porches
2022 custom home trend #10: She Sheds
She Sheds are taking over the demand for Man Caves, as women seek a calming place in their new homes to relax with no rules.
2022 custom home trend #11: Energy efficiency
Long term advantages of building a new home include lower energy bills. From ultra-e windows to effective HVAC systems and radiant barriers, ask your builder for ways your home can be more comfortable and affordable through energy efficiency.
Today’s most sought after new home styles in NC reflect a blend of Modern Farmhouse, Craftsman, Colonial, Traditional and Contemporary – and even reflections of several design approaches in a single dwelling.
Mixed architectural exterior
Note the difference in style between the front porch, columns, siding, railings, window frames, trim around the windows, front door design, detail work and roof line of this home. It’s a great example of how today’s new homes aren’t held back by old fashioned norms.
The turret on this home adds a touch of whimsey to a cost effective custom home plan. Stately brick and touches of metal complete its modern medley of styles.
Board and batten siding and a crisp facade says Modern Farmhouse. Look closely and you’ll see Arts and Crafts windows and a colorful front door, with personality.
This Colonial exterior belies the Contemporary features and finishes inside – a no-holds-barred approach to capturing your own sense of adventure, without everything having to follow the same flow, when you design/build your new home.
You have a lot of choices for flooring in North Carolina new homes, from hardwood to tile and carpet, as well as custom options.
Travars Built Homes offer the highest quality features, finishes, materials and craftsmanship, including real oak hardwood flooring in every home. See what else comes, standard, here.
All types of flooring will see some wear and tear over time. But which types of hardwood flooring stand up best to daily traffic from people and pets? Here are 10 tips for choosing hardwood flooring in NC new homes:
Hardwood flooring tip #1: Soft woods cost more — and provide less protection
If you want to avoid flooring that dents easiest, avoid American Cherry, American Walnut, and Pine. Better versions of these hardwoods for a harder surface? Brazilian Cherry and Walnut.
Hardwood flooring tip #2: Consider a Harder Hardwood
Hickory, Brazilian Cherry and other hardwoods rank high on the Janka scale. They come with a premium price, but are much harder than the 3/8 “hardwood” flooring most builders use. Travars Built Homes uses ¾ solid oak hardwood – a much higher quality wood with more resistance to wear and tear than most new homes start with.
Hardwood flooring tip #3: Strong grains can hide more scratches
Red oak has a stronger grain than white oak. Red oak, 1290 on the hardness scale, hides scratches better than Brazilian Cherry, which is 2350 on the Janka scale.
Hardwood flooring tip #4: Hand Scraped and Distressed Hardwoods provide modern rustic character that makes wear look appealing
The more wear you put on these hardwoods, the more realistic they look. Knots and other character traits also give “real hardwoods” a natural look that feels comfortable and welcoming.
Hardwood flooring tip #5: Mask imperfections with a Matte Finish
Ask your builder to use a matte finish on your site finished hardwood floors. Glossy finishes will be more reflective – and imperfections more glaring.
Hardwood flooring tip #6: Light stains hide scratches best
Another great characteristic of oak hardwood flooring is that it’s already a naturally light wood. The stain shade you choose can make a difference in how much scratches show, with lighter hues hiding more scarring than dark colors. lighter hue on the stain you choose And if you’ve chosen oak, a naturally light wood, even if the finish is scratched off the scratch is more likely to blend with the rest of the floor.
Hardwood flooring tip #7: Solid Hardwoods have long lasting qualities
Site finished solid hardwood flooring can be refinished. So if you feel like freshening up your woods in a few years, either because you’d like it to look new or want to change the color, you can simply sand it and restain it, at a much lower cost than replacing the entire floor like you’d need to do with an inexpensive laminate.
Hardwood flooring tip #8: The bamboo effect
Bamboo can be beautiful, but it’s not always the best choice for a floor that will have a lot of people and pet traffic. Stained bamboo can scratch very easily. Although it is technically stronger than oak, dents show up more easily. Strand bamboo costs more than carmelized bamboo, but can hold up better.
Hardwood flooring tip #9: Furniture Felt Pads can prevent heavy scraping
Using felt pads under furniture (even with wheels) can protect your floors. Scattered rugs can also protect areas with heavy traffic, such as doorways, hallways, kitchen aisles and gathering places.
Hardwood flooring tip #10: Leave your shoes at the door
Still love soft woods best? Create a space where shoes go as people enter your home, to avoid scarring caused by pebbles, dirt and high heels. Custom built-in shelving, drop zones or even just a corner on the floor reserved for shoes can help your floors stay cleaner and less worn.
Yes, a design build custom home builder can add square footage to your floor plan. Below are 5 of the most cost effective ways that Travars Built Homes can add space to your floor plan.
How to make a floor plan bigger: Guest living and multi-gen suites
Adding a small apartment such as a multigenerational, mother-in-law or other extended guest living arrangement to your home usually means adding semi-separated living space. Special adaptations such as adding a private entrance to the exterior are also common. Additional square footage is often necessary to be able to fit in all of the extra requirements.
This kind of modification to a floor plan typically involves rearranging the existing layout, such as changing two bedrooms and a bath on the main floor into one bedroom, bath, and living room – possibly with a kitchenette.
How to make a floor plan bigger: Expanding the kitchen or master bath
This is one of the areas where it’s important to work with the custom builder to create the space you need, as you will be looking at pushing out specific walls to increase a small portion of the home. Sometimes the result you’re looking for can be accomplished within existing square footage. We will show you some options as we talk through your needs.
How to make a floor plan bigger: Basements and bonus rooms
Basements and bonus rooms are common areas to start with when factoring in the need for additional living space. Most one story floor plans – and plans with a two story great room – are good candidates for adding square footage to the second floor.
How to make a floor plan bigger: Adding a sun room, screen porch or covered porches
Indoor/outdoor space is often expanded to increase the ability to utilize more of the property as living area, both in heated square footage as well as exposed areas.
How to make a floor plan bigger: Expanding the garage
Adding a third car garage, carriage garage, or turning a front facing garage to a side load are popular requests for custom homes. Aside from the ability to park more vehicles inside, this is also a great way to have space for hobbies or storage.
As with all modifications to custom floor plans, it’s important to know what can be changed, and how it can impact your curb appeal, roof line, and the build of your new home. When recommending changes to your floor plan, Travars Built Homes will take into consideration the details of your floor plan, homesite, and potential restrictions such as local regulations and community covenants.