Owner and General Manager of Jazel Homes, James Zeleznik, takes a look at five trends in home building design already making a huge splash in 2016. From both the framework and interior design of the home, these trends look to make a positive impact on the environment. As well, these trends all add to an enriched feeling of comfort for the homeowner in not only West Kelowna, but anywhere.
1. Green Energy
Sustainability is becoming a massive goal in the building industry. Technology that is able to minimize impact on the environment, and homeowners wallets, is becoming more and more readily available. Clients are becoming conscious of their individual impact on the environment, and homeowners both new and old are looking for change. According to a report on Sustainable Home Design by The U.S Department of energy, the two most important areas to consider when thinking towards building a more environmentally sustainable home are to “renovate before starting new,” and “good design is cheaper than high technology – focus on design before anything else”(Quale 10). The same can be said for us here in West Kelowna too; knowing that your home has a low impact on the environment helps you to feel better about your role in an environmentally sustainable future.
2. Wide Open Spaces
Homeowners are reserving the more private spaces of the home for the upstairs, and creating open spaces on the main floor. This design helps blend the distinction of living room, dining room, and kitchen. The open-concept design has been trending upwards for a couple years now, and will continue to climb in 2016. For older homeowners looking to remodel, knocking out walls and creating a unifying multi-room design is a good direction to start. Freeing up space in the home can have a positive effect on your daily mood. Open spaces help to not compartmentalize the main floor of your home, and help the bedroom feel more private and peaceful.
3. Traditional Living Rooms
Elegance is on trend for the living room in 2016. People are in high demand for elegant design that doesn’t appear too extravagant or showy. As well, with families looking to spend more quality time together, and away from their hand held devices, a living room not centred around the television will allow for more conversation and quality bonding experiences. Within the Okanagan Valley, especially Kelowna, James Zeleznik has witnessed a huge shift from the modern aesthetic towards a more refined elegance.
4. Farmhouse Aesthetic
For a more warm and invitational feel to the home, people are turning to country motifs. Farmhouse entry ways and sliding barn doors are on trend in 2016. The farmhouse style front door is an easy way let more light into your entry way, creating a more invitational feel as guests enter the home. Interior sliding barn doors are becoming more and more popular. Check out these photos to see examples of the barn door used within the home. The few pieces, which both play into the farmhouse aesthetic, could help your Kelowna home feel like your home on the range.
5. Reclaimed Wood Flooring
Staying on trend with sustainable resources, reclaimed wood has rapidly become one of the most popular materials in flooring. Reclaimed lumber significantly decreases the demand for newly sourced lumber, which in helps slows deforestation. Reclaimed lumber is a material that plays into all above mentioned trends. It’s sustainable, and works into both the elegant and farmhouse aesthetic. As more and more companies becomes dependable and certified to sell this trending material, your old floors are waiting to to be made over. James Zeleznik would love to talk with you, and see if this material is the right fit in your home.
Works Cited
Quale, J. (2009). Building For the Future: Sustainable Home Design. In http://www.solardecathlon.gov/past/pdfs/09_workshops/09_building_future.pdf. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
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