Today's luxury homes are a lot different from even the most prestigious homes of as little as a half–century ago. A quick search through ERADistinctiveProperties.com will allow you to compile a list of "must have" components that now constitute luxury. These are amenities that were virtually unrecognized by earlier luxury home builders.
The use of environmentally–friendly materials is a forefront concern for many luxury home buyers of today. Energy-efficient innovations are also a common component of most new luxury homes and renovated luxury real estate. According to a recent American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey, the focus on energy–efficiency is one of the reasons why luxury homeowners are placing less emphasis on investing in special function rooms, such as games rooms and libraries. There is still some interest in upscale landscaping elements, but there is also growing demand for low-maintenance landscaping options due to water conservation issues.
Additionally, this new energy–friendly luxury "Smart House" is usually equipped with high-tech computers that monitor and control everything from lighting, heating and cooling, to internal and external security.
Pampering has also risen to new heights in luxury real estate. Luxury home buyers often expect bathrooms with many spa features, complete with whirlpool, garden tubs for two (or more), saunas, heated marble floors and towel bars. Blended outdoor/indoor spaces and amenities such as courtyards, gazebos, outdoor fireplaces, and swimming pools are also on the rise, adding both exclusivity and value to behind–the–times homes.
Gourmet kitchens in luxury homes often feature large work/conversation islands, stainless steel EnergyStar™ appliances, plenty of hidden storage in cabinets and drawers, and expansive space for entertaining. From vibrant hues to muted tones, gourmet kitchens are also seeing a lot of color. Vendors are experimenting with colored utensils, bakeware, tools, and more. With the growing trend of using sustainable and earth-friendly materials extending into gourmet cookware as well, bamboo has become a popular choice for crafting "green" bowls, utensils, and baskets. Glass cabinets to showcase the nicer glass and dinnerware and less–than–perfectly matched free–standing cabinets and countertops are also popular at the moment. Designers and homeowners are using both paint and stain on kitchen woodwork and choosing two types of granite – one for the island and one for the rest of the kitchen. And despite the country's economic uncertainty lately, luxury home owners are still choosing the kitchen as the place for upgraded materials, high–quality countertops and any budget extravagances. For instance, a growing trend is the addition of a coffee bar tucked into the corner of a kitchen or even placed in a master suite so the homeowners don't have to walk far for their morning caffeine.
What should your new home include? Start your search now.
