Sustainability Seen Shaping Housing, Remodeling Markets
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A trio of emerging trends in neighborhood design and sustainable living practices should continue to shape the market for new housing and residential remodeling as the “mindset of consumers continues to shift in a dynamic social climate,” according to a new report from the Home Improvement Research Institute.
According to HIRI’s recently issued Future of Housing Trend Report, new and remodeled homes will likely be shaped by a growing homeowner passion regarding issues such as climate change, sustainability and minimalism, resulting “in an increased emergence of eco-friendly materials and 3D-printed technology to designs focused on cultural inspiration and reversible architecture.”
Among the key trends identified by HIRI researchers are the following:
n “Hyper-local neighborhoods”: Architects, developers and local governments are proposing neighborhoods centered on community building and local businesses. These spaces are intended to be car-free, with all necessities reachable via a short walk or bicycle ride.
n Flight from the cities: “As urban centers expand in size and population, consumers are recognizing that their quality of life is suffering — whether that be due to alienation, affordability issues, lengthy commutes or pollution,” HIRI said. As a result, many are moving away from city centers and turning to community-based neighborhoods that provide a sense of belonging while also satisfying the need for convenience and cleaner air.
n Sustainable Housing: With sustainability as a top priority, architects and designers are embracing different eco-friendly concepts, among them “reversible design” (the architecture of structures that can be easily deconstructed, that can be reused or with parts that can be removed and added easily) and 3D-printed housing (homes that offer sustainable and protective construction that avoids structural issues in the case of extreme weather).
“Contemporary consumers are wary of the impending consequences of climate change, and a large number are becoming increasingly aware that simply shifting their lifestyle and practicing ecological mindfulness are likely not enough,” HIRI said. “As a result, many are demanding that brands and creators take the environment into consideration.
n Simplified Living: Building off of the desire for more sustainable living, the emergence of simple, more minimalist design emphasizes homeowners’ functions and needs.
“Contemporary consumers in fast-paced urban centers are looking to balance the demands of their daily lifestyle with a comfortable home environment,” HIRI said. “Many are prioritizing minimalist designs and additional spaces that can optimize and elevate their living situation without compromising aesthetic appeal.”
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Emerging Home Design Trends Revealed in Houzz Report
PALO ALTO, CA — COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s perception of “home,” resulting in new styles, features and aesthetics surfacing in home design over the past year –among them a need for dedicated activity spaces, a desire to bring the outdoors in, and a requirement to create flexible interior spaces.
That is the key conclusion of research conducted by Houzz Inc., the Palo Alto, CA-based online resource for home remodeling, which this week identified the top emerging home design trends based on the latest search insights from its community of homeowners and remodeling pros.
According to Houzz, the following are among the leading COVID-fueled home design trends that have emerged in the past year:
n Dedicated Activity Spaces: “People have been relying on their homes to provide new avenues of activity and entertainment since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Houzz, pointing to search trends that the online resource is seeing for art studios (up nearly tenfold), home bars and wine cellars (up nearly four times) and home theaters, home gyms and home offices (up between two and three times each).
n Bringing the Outdoors In: According to Houzz, one in five remodeling homeowners is opening up their kitchens to the outdoors, with “openness to nature and the role of greenery in our homes a trend that seems to be accelerating.” Searches for artificial plants and trees, as well as indoor pots and planters, are up significantly, respectively, since last year. “We’re also seeing a significant uptick in searches for green kitchen cabinets, bathroom tile, accent chairs and bedrooms,” Houzz said.
n Living Room Refresh: As people have spent more time in their living room over the past year, “they may be seeking inspiration to refresh the space,” with searches for living rooms up 52% compared to the same time in 2020, Houzz reported. Home accents in general have seen some of the most dramatic increases, along with decorative accents, abstract paintings, display shelves and slip or chair covers, the company noted.
n Flexible Design: Many homeowners are turning to design options that offer more flexibility within the existing footprint of their homes, Houzz reported. Searches for TV armoires with pocket doors, queen murphy beds, and nesting side tables are among the products and features generating significantly higher interest, Houzz researchers added.
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MyPlanet Living Center Opens Chicago Showroom
CHICAGO — Mayan Metzler, founder and CEO of German Kitchen Center, a multi-brand chain of showrooms for European-style kitchen designs in the U.S., has unveiled the newest branch of the “MyPlanet Living Center” chain of showrooms, the company announced.
The new site features 14,000 sq. ft. at the 900 North Michigan Shops in Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile,” an upscale shopping district known for its high-end retail outlets.
MyPlanet Living Centers are designed as showrooms aimed at exposing homeowners and trade professionals to high-end products for the kitchen and bath, among other areas of the home. MyPlanet, a nonprofit organization focused on housing and medical support for vulnerable populations, donates proceeds from the centers to community groups that assist the needy, according to the company. Partners include German Kitchen Center and MyPlanet Construction system, an energy-efficient home building system.
Each MPLC partner within the MPLC Chicago site will operate their own space, similar to that of a permanent trade show booth, with MPLC staff available for customer service, the company said.
“MPLC showrooms are fulfilling various needs currently lacking in the home renovation market for both customers and suppliers,” said Metzler. “Most importantly, however, this is an opportunity to also improve our communities.
“As the for-profit arm of MyPlanet, we can help rebuild communities affected by the recent pandemic, as well as communities that have seen a decline in residents due to lack of employment opportunities,” Metzler added, noting that the company will soon be announcing several locations in midsized cities, as well.
“I hope that this venture will serve as a blueprint for other companies to pitch in and help revitalize our cities,” Metzler said. “We’re only as strong as our communities are.”
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Kwikset, Baldwin Parent Company Acquired by Swedish Firm
STOCKHOLM — ASSA ABLOY, the Stockholm-based manufacturer of access solutions, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Hardware and Home Improvement (HHI) division of Spectrum Brands, a major supplier of security, plumbing and hardware products to the North American residential construction market, the companies announced.
HHI, headquartered in Lake Forest, CA, manufactures a product line that includes locksets, faucets and builders’ hardware, supplied through home improvement centers, wholesale distributors, home builders, online retail channels and home-automation providers. Brands include Kwikset, Baldwin Hardware, Weiser, Pfister and National Hardware.
“HHI is an excellent addition to the ASSA ABLOY Group and constitutes an important strategic step in developing our residential business in North America,” said Nico Delvaux, president and CEO of ASSA ABLOY. “This acquisition advances our strategy to strengthen our position by adding complementary products to the core business and it will further accelerate the transformation from mechanical to digital solutions.”
The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2021, corporate officials said, adding that HHI will become part of the ASSA ABLOY’s Opening Solutions Americas Division.
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