Residential architecture firms continue to report weak business conditions, with remodeling activity one of the few bright lights for residential design activity. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA)

Home Design Trends Survey for the third quarter of 2011 that focused on community and neighborhood design.

“On the development side, low levels of new home construction, steep foreclosure rates and a surge in the popularity of urban living are the primary reasons for high levels of infill projects,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “From a home design perspective the preference is for building materials such as fiber-cement, stone, tile or natural earth plasters that are durable and require little maintenance.”

AIA Home Design Trends Survey highlights

(% respond. report. popularity of feature “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q3)

Housing market business conditions

The residential market continues to struggle. The national home design billings index was 45 for the third quarter of 2011 (any score below 50 indicates a decline in activity), down from the previous quarter’s mark of 50, although scores are not adjusted for seasonal variation. Inquiries for new projects were 52, dropping slightly compared to the score of 54 in the second quarter of the year.

(% of respondents reporting sector “improving” minus % reporting “weakening”; Q3)

“Native plants and flowers, oceans and lakes, and rocks and minerals are the sources of inspiration for the paint colors that will be ‘in’ next year,” says Zimmer.  “If you’re thinking about repainting your home interior, look to the great American outdoors.”

Here are some highlights:

Blue, the Jewel of the Sea
Blues gained popularity in 2011 and continue to be red hot in 2012.  “From sparkling sea-glass blue to colonial blue-grey, blues are suitable for all living spaces, being a naturally soothing color that is loved – in one iteration or another — by almost everyone,” says Zimmer.

Green, From Farm to Forest
Greens, ranging from celery and asparagus to fir and fern, allow homeowners to bring the comforting feelings of the world outside into the world within.  According to Zimmer, dining rooms and kitchens are the “natural” spots for in vogue greens, but the hue is also at home in family rooms and bedrooms.

Violet, Majestic Purple Mountains
“A harmonious combination of patriotic blue and red hues, violet can add ‘punch’ to any room when used as an accent color, or serve as the dominant color in a bedroom,” says Zimmer.

But natural hues aren’t the only news for 2012.  Zimmer predicts that three paint and decorating trends will gain prominence next year:

Patterns
In 2012, patterned paint will take center stage, with increased interest in hound’s-tooth finishes, lacy designs, and bold color blocking techniques.  “In some cases, pattern will be the main decorating feature in a room; in others, it will provide a subtle, textured backdrop for fine furnishings and artwork,” says Zimmer.

Black and White
The classic combination of black and white isn’t just for Cape Cods any more.  You’ll see much more of it in all sorts of settings, from contemporary apartments to historic homes, says Zimmer.  “The pairing is a great way to freshen an interior with something smart and stylish,” she says.

Exterior Paint Combinations
On the home exterior, shutters colors will begin to shift away from the traditional look of high-contrast green, red, or black to a more monochromatic palette.  “You’ll see more shutters that are painted just a shade darker than the siding,” says Zimmer.  “Owners of homes with stone exteriors can get in on things by matching the shutter color to the dominant color of the stone.”

Despite all the new colors and trends, Zimmer says some things in the paint world will remain the same in 2012:  “Top quality 100% acrylic latex paint will continue to provide the best performance and the best value to budget-conscious homeowners,” she says.

Source: Paint Quality Institute

Home Design Trends Surveyfor the second quarter of 2011 that focused on emerging home features: systems, technologies and function rooms in the home.

“The majority of special function rooms have seen a noticeable drop in demand in the past year, which makes sense given the state of both the overall economy and the housing market in particular,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Rather, homeowners are showing a continued preference to save money on utility costs and improve the resale value of their home through investing in energy efficient upgrades.”

Baker added, “Despite the weak housing market, design elements that promote accessibility within the home remain strong led by master bedroom suites located on the first floor and even more expensive features like ramps leading into the home and elevators.”

Housing market business conditions

AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q2 2011 (any score above 50 is positive)

• Billings: 50
• Inquiries for new projects: 54

Baker noted, “There are signs of stabilization of business conditions for residential architects, although it would be premature to say that the market is entering a recovery phase. Demand for remodeling and renovations is in relatively good shape, but all major new construction categories continue to drag, which is keeping the overall housing market back.”

Home Design Trends Surveythat focused specifically on overall home layout and use in the first quarter of 2011.
“Overall home and lots sizes showing signs of increasing slightly indicates that the housing market is stabilizing after being in a downward spiral since 2007,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “But consistent with the last several years, there remains a preference for open space layout allowing for more flexibility and less interest in formal spaces and rooms.”

Overall home layout and size trends

Outdoor living and landscaping trends

Housing market business conditions

AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2011 (any score above 50 is positive)

• Billings: 51
• Inquiries for new projects: 60

Baker continued, “The home improvement market, including both additions and structural alterations as well as remodeling projects, is extremely healthy right now and with the exception of the affordable home market, all of the other sectors are more positive than the same time a year ago.”

Specific residential segments(index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus % reporting weakening conditions)

• Kitchen and bath remodeling: 52
• Additions / alterations: 51
• First-time buyer / affordable home market: -22
• Move-up home market: -16
• Custom / luxury home market: -19
• Townhouse / condo market: -34
• Second / vacation home market: -51

Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2010, which focused specifically on kitchens and bathrooms.

“We are not seeing the same level of demand for larger and additional kitchens and bathrooms as we saw during the peak of the housing market, but there has been a shift away from downsizing those rooms that has taken place the over last two years,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Key considerations are the amount of pantry space, dedicated recycling centers and the integration with family space allowing for easier child care and home entertaining.”

* Index score computed as % of respondents reporting increasing minus those reporting decreasing popularity

Baker added, “In order to help manage utility costs, homeowners are still opting for items such as water saving toilets and LED lighting. Accessibility within the home and demand for universal design principles continues to be a priority and should remain so for the foreseeable future given the aging U.S. population.”

* Index score computed as % of respondents reporting increasing minus those reporting decreasing popularity

Housing market business conditions

AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q4 2010 (any score above 50 is positive) 

• Billings: 45(up from 42 in Q3 2010)
• Inquiries for new projects: 56 (up from 49 in Q3 2010)

“The encouraging signs for the still struggling residential market are the increase in inquiries for new projects and that project backlogs at firms – the amount of work in-house and under contract – can now support current staff for over three months. Backlogs have been slowly trending up since early 2009.” said Baker.(index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus those reporting weakening conditions) 

Specific construction segments

• Kitchen and bath remodeling: 45
• Additions / alterations: 39
• First-time buyer / affordable home market: -23
• Custom / luxury home market: -25
• Move-up home market: -27
• Townhouse / condo market: -38
• Second / vacation home market: -56

Residential architecture firms continue to report weak business conditions, but with remodeling activity showing a sharp increase over the same period a year ago. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the third quarter of 2010 that focused on community and neighborhood design.

“There are a number of factors at play that have encouraged a shift towards smaller infill projects,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “There has been a resurgence in urban living in general, but economic realities like high foreclosure rates, increased commuting time and costs, and a renewed interest in affordability are key drivers in altering the residential real estate landscape.”

Baker added, “Recently, numerous organizations have issued reports linking the health benefits of living in transit-oriented communities. There is a strong correlation between a design strategy tailored towards access to public transportation and job centers that can reduce sprawl, dependence on automobiles and foreign oil, encourages physical activity and leads to an overall more vibrant and healthy community.”

AIA Home Design Trends Survey highlights

Community design elements	2010		2009
Infill development	65%		69%
Access to public transportation	58%		55%
Mixed-use facility	53%		48%
Dedicated open space	47%		45%
Multigenerational housing	47%		41%
Popular Home Exteriors Features
Durable exterior materials	75%		75%
Porches	57%		53%
Sustainable roofing	52%		47%
Solar reflective roofs	39%		n/a
Tubular skylights	30%		24%

(% respond. report. popularity of feature “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q3)

Housing market business conditions

The residential market continues to struggle. The national billings index was 42 for the third quarter of 2010 (any score below 50 indicates a decline in activity), up slightly from the previous quarter’s mark of 41. Inquiries for new projects were 49, showing minimal improvement compared to the score of 47 in the second quarter of the year.

Specific construction segments	2010		2009
Kitchen and bath remodeling	43%		27%
Additions / alterations	42%		26%
First-time buyer / affordable home market	-35%		-2%
Move-up home market	-34%		-30%
Townhouse / condo market	-39%		-43%
Custom / luxury home market	-43%		-48%
Second / vacation home	-65%		-70%

(% of respondents reporting sector “improving” minus % reporting “weakening”; Q3)

Kitchens

1) Shake It Up
The Shaker style began a rise in popularity in 2009 and gained momentum in 2010. By the end of the year, Shaker has supplanted Contemporary as the second most popular style used by NKBA member designers. While Traditional remains the most popular style, having been used by 76% of designers surveyed over that last three months of 2010, that’s a slight drop from the previous year. Meanwhile, the percent of respondents who designed contemporary kitchens fell to 48%, while Shaker rose to 55%. Cottage was the only other style to garner at least 20% of the market, as it registered at 21%.

2) Dark Finishes
Dark natural finishes overtook medium natural, glazed, and white painted finishes to become the most specified type of finish toward the end of 2010. While medium natural fell from being used by 53% to 48% of designers, glazed from 53% to 42%, and white painted from 49% to 47%, dark natural finishes rose from 42 to 51%. Light natural and colored painted finishes remained fairly common, as each rose slightly from the previous year: 24% to 25% for light natural and 24% to 29% for colored paints. Distressed finishes dropped significantly from a year ago, when they were used by 16% of designers, to just 5%.

3) A Place for Wine
While the incorporation of wine refrigerators seems to be on the decline (see Bonjour Réfrigérateur below), unchilled wine storage is growing in popularity. While only 39% of surveyed designers incorporated wine storage areas into their kitchens at the end of 2009, just over half—51%—did so as 2010 came to a close. While other types of cabinetry options remain more common, most are on the decline, including tall pantries (89% to 84%), lazy Susans (90% to 78%), and pull-out racks (81% to 71%). Appliance garages also seem to be falling out of favor, as their use declined from 36% at the end of 2009 to 29% a year later.

4) Bonjour Réfrigérateur
The French door refrigerator has strengthened its position as the type specified most often by NKBA member designers. While freezer-top refrigerators were only specified by 8% of designers as 2010 drew to a close—down from 10% a year earlier, freezer-bottom models fell very slightly from 60% to 59% and side-by-side units actually rose slightly from 46% to 49%. Meanwhile, French door refrigerators jumped from 67% to 78%. Among smaller units, refrigerator or freezer drawers remained flat at 31%, while undercounter wine refrigerators fell sharply from 50% to 36%, an interesting change given the increasing use of unchilled wine storage.

5) Inducting a New Cooktop
Induction cooktops haven’t overtaken gas and electric models, but they’re closing the gap. As we entered 2010, gas cooktops had been recently specified by 76% of NKBA designers, compared to 38% for electric and 26% for induction. However, while the incorporation of gas cooktops has fallen to 70%, electric cooktops has risen slightly to 41%, while induction cooktops are up to 34%. Meanwhile, single wall ovens are down from 46% to 42%, although double wall ovens are up from 68% to 74%. In addition, warming drawers are down from 49% to 42%, and ranges are down sharply from 81% to 68%.

6) LED Lighting
Incandescent lighting continues its journey to obsolescence. While 50% of NKBA member designers incorporated incandescent bulbs into their designs at the end of 2009, only 35% have done so a year later. Instead, designers are clearly opting for more energy-efficient lighting options. While the use of halogen lighting is down from 46% to 40% over the past year, LED (light-emitting diode) lighting has increased from 47% to 54%. Designers aren’t turning to CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) as a solution, though, most likely due to the poor quality of light they produce; their use by designers remained flat at 35%.

7) Trashy Designs
A greater emphasis is being made to address trash considerations in the kitchen. Some 89% of kitchens designed by NKBA members in the final quarter of 2010 include a trash or recycling pull-outs. In addition, garbage disposals were incorporated by 86% of designers, up from 75% the previous year. Trash compactors have also become more common. Entering 2010, they were recently used in designs by 11% of designers, but a year later, that figure had climbed to 18%. These changes may be due to an increase in sustainability awareness, but they certainly indicate an increase in concern toward trash generated in the kitchen.

Bathrooms

1) Quartz Countertops
Quartz continues to take away market share from granite in the market for bathroom vanity tops. A year ago, 85% of NKBA bathroom designers incorporated granite into a recent design, compared to just 48% for quartz, but now, that gap has narrowed to 83% for granite and 54% for quartz. Unlike in the kitchen, solid surfaces haven’t gained much popularity in the bathroom, increasing only from 23% to 25% over the past year. Meanwhile, solid marble has declined from 46% to 37%, while cultured marble and onyx have increased from 12% to 19%. No other material has even 10% of the market.

2) Green Bathrooms
No, we’re not referring to eco-friendly spaces—we literally mean green bathrooms. A year ago, green color palettes were used by only 14% of NKBA designers, but at the end of 2010, that figure had risen to 24%. Still, whites and off-whites, beiges, and browns are the three most commonly used color tones in bathrooms. However, while white and off-white palettes are up slightly from 57% to 60%, beiges are down sharply from 66% to 57%, while browns have dropped from 48% to 38%. Other common color tones include blues at 22%, grays at 21%, and bronzes and terracottas at 17%.

3) A Worthy Vessel
Under mount sinks continue to dominate newly remodeled bathrooms, with 97% of NKBA bathroom designers having specified them over the last three months of 2010, up from 95% a year earlier. However, vessel sinks have become the clear second choice among designers, as 51% of NKBA member designers have specified them in the final quarter of 2010, up from 39% a year ago. Integrated sink tops were also up from 34% to 38%, pedestal sinks were up from 21% to 29%, and drop-in sinks were up from 23% to 27%. This shows that bathroom designers have been specifying more lavoratory sinks across the board.

Photo caption: Kohler, Co.: The Conical Bell Vessels^® lavatory bring classic washbasin design into a new era of décor. Available in a palette of colors and designs, this vitreous china lavatory is engaging in its simplicity. Photo credit: Courtesy of Kohler, Co.

4) Satin Nickel Faucets
This trend relates to both bathrooms and kitchens. From the end of 2009 to the end of 2010, the percent of NKBA designers who specified a satin nickel faucet rose from 41% to 63% in the kitchen and from 45% to 57% in the bathroom, while the percent who specified a brushed nickel faucet fell from 61% to 48% in the kitchen and from 66% to 38% in the bathroom. Other popular faucet finishes in both the kitchen and bathroom are bronze and oil-rubbed bronze, polished chrome, and polished nickel. However, while stainless steel is popular in the kitchen, specified recently by 44% of designers, that figure drops to just 16% in the bathroom

“As the overall economy has slowed in recent years home offices have become the new home theaters,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Homeowners are placing a far greater priority on specialty rooms that get the most use, as well as incorporating outdoor living elements within their lifestyles.”

Click here for full report.

AIA Home Design Trends Survey highlights	2010	2009
Outside living rooms	41%	n/a
Home offices	34%	43%
Mud rooms	17%	25%
Au pair / in-law suites	2%	7%
Hobby / game rooms	-9%	9%
Home theaters	-38%	-19%

(% respond. report. popularity of room “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q2:2010)

Products	2010	2009
Energy-efficient	77%	80%
Low maintenance	68%	72%
Tank-less water heaters	68%	70%
Water saving	57%	62%
Synthetic materials	55%	59%
Recycled materials	47%	47%

(% respond. report. popularity of products “increasing” minus % report. “decreasing”; Q2:2010)

Systems / technologies	2010	2009
Energy management	50%	40%
Solar panels	49%	55%
Geothermal heating/cooling	47%	46%
Wireless	42%	46%
Back-up power generation	34%	n/a
Water reclamation	33%	31%

(% reporting popularity of system “increasing” minus % reporting “decreasing”; Q2:2010)

Baker added, “High levels of adoption for certain products and systems have not yet taken off to a high degree, but residential architects are reporting that saturation rates are likely to rise substantially in the next few years as demand continues to rise and prices continue to fall.”

Special home features	2010	2009
Alt. insulation (e.g. panels; foam)	67%	68%
Extra insulation	65%	65%
Ramps / elevators	33%	37%
1st floor master bedroom	44%	48%
Easy-to-use features	32%	36%

(% reporting popularity of system “increasing” minus % reporting “decreasing”; Q2:2010)

Housing market business conditions

On the heels of recent quarters of business conditions pointing to a recovery in the housing market, there was a fall off in billings at residential architecture firms in the second quarter of 2010. The national billings index was 41, following a two-year high of 50 during last quarter. Inquiries for new projects also fell sharply from 62 to 47.

“This decrease was triggered by a general back tracking in the overall economy, but was also exacerbated by the home buyer tax credit that expired at the end of April,” Baker noted.

Specific construction segments	2010	2009
Kitchen / bath remodeling:	29%	25%
Additions / alterations:	22%	26%
First-time buyer / affordable home market:	-24%	-13%
Move-up home market:	-32%	-35%
Custom / luxury home market:	-39%	-45%
Townhouse / condo market:	-51%	-49%
Second home:	-62%	-70%

(% of respondents reporting sector “improving” minus % reporting “weakening”; Q2)

“We continue to move away from the ‘McMansion’ chapter of residential design, with more demand for practicality throughout the home,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “And with that there has been a drop off in the popularity of upscale property enhancements such as formal landscaping, decorative water features, tennis courts and gazebos.”

Overall home layout and size trends

Residential elements (% of respondents that reported increases)	2010	2009
In-home accessibility	60%	63%
Open space layout	56%	50%
Access into / out of home	49%	49%
Informal space	48%	45%
Finished basement / attic	36%	32%
Single-floor plan	40%	34%
Lot size	2%	2%

“There has been a steady decline in both the square footage and volume in home design in recent years,” added Baker. “The preference instead seems to be for more flexible, open and informal layouts that allow for both ease movement and fostering a space more conducive to family living.”

Outdoor living and landscaping trends	2010	2009
Low maintenance landscaping	63%	67%
Outdoor living space	56%	60%
Rainwater catchment	55%	n/a
Blended indoor / outdoor living	48%	51%
Exterior / security lighting	33%	33%
Outdoor amenities	23%	22%

Housing market business conditions

AIA Home Design Survey Index for Q1 2010 (any score above 50 is positive) 

• Billings: 50
• Inquiries for new projects: 62 

Baker continued, “These are the first encouraging signs in over two years that an economic recovery for the beleaguered housing market is near. The home improvement market, including both additions and structural alterations as well as remodeling projects, continues to be the healthiest sector of the market.”

Specific residential segments (index score computed as % of respondents reporting improving minus % reporting weakening conditions) 

• Kitchen and bath remodeling: 41
• Additions / alterations: 37
• First-time buyer / affordable home market: -11
• Move-up home market: -23
• Custom / luxury home market: -27
• Townhouse / condo market: -39
• Second / vacation home market: -57

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ  – The National Kitchen & Bath Association announces the top 10 design trends from the 2010 NKBA Design Competition. The winners of the competition were announced on April 16 at the NKBA’s 2010 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Chicago.

1. Concealed Kitchens
Kitchen design has reached a new level of integration. The quiet incorporation of the kitchen into the home’s primary living and entertaining rooms provides homeowners with far more flexibility in their lifestyles. The incorporation of integrated and concealed appliances allows the kitchen to enhance rather than intrude into other spaces. Clean structural lines coupled with sleek color palettes enable the space to establish a distinctive identity, without overpowering the surrounding rooms.

2. Beverage Stations
A new element added to many kitchens is a beverage station. This area is usually comprised of an undercounter refrigerator and wine refrigeration, as well as a coffeemaker, which can be as varied as the homeowners using them, ranging from simple single-pot coffeemakers to larger units capable of espresso, latte, and cappuccino. This functional destination within the kitchen typically houses stemware, coffee cups, silverware, cream, sugar, tea and may sometimes have a smaller bar area. 

3. Scaling of Elements
Shapes, actual and implied textures, along with the placement of fixtures are being used to create scale. The overall composition of kitchens and baths is being defined by a sense of scale, which is both functional and visually appealing. An irregularly textured pebbled wall, marbled surface in glass tile, reflective metallic material, or symmetrically hung pendant lighting directs the eye around the room and contributes to a balanced space. Distinctive wall coverings, tin ceilings and the implied texture of a pronounced wood grain are all stand-out details that are being seen as contributors to the balanced scale of current designs. 

4. Color with Energy
Bold colors are creating a vibrant splash in room palettes for 2010, with rich blues, purples, greens, and citric yellow making their confident appearance in kitchens and baths. Colors exuding emotion, acting not merely as a passive backdrop for the room, but bringing life through lighting, wall colors, and wood tones, are profoundly impacting the most innovative designs. Colors from nature combined with others more synthetically blended, are inducing a feeling of movement and motion throughout the room through sharp contrasts. 

5. Soft Geometry
Rounded organic shapes can be seen in the edge of a counter or island top, an arch over an entryway or cooking hearth, the curved lines of a light fixture, and well-placed, space-defining soffits. Softer geometry is showing up with fortitude in contemporary and traditional designs alike. The introduction of rounded islands and countertops carves a smooth-flowing traffic pattern throughout the room, while an appropriately placed arch will bring an overall softening to the more angular fixed features that are typical in kitchens and baths. 

6. Space Subtleties
Fixtures once confined by location are now incorporated into kitchen and bath designs in almost limitless ways. This freedom in the use of space allows designers to create design-driven room plans rather than those driven by necessity and space solutions. Floating vanities and wall-mounted toilets allow an unobstructed and spacious feel to a bathroom, while appliances that are stacked and positioned within islands are contributing to functionality in the kitchen by bringing together task space with the right appliances. 

7. Design Framing
Designers are bringing artistic details to new heights. A seemingly simple detail, such as the use of a soffit along the ceiling or a width of wall space surrounding inset cabinetry, can call out the item being framed as a focal point while also providing visual balance to the room. The thickness of a countertop edge outlined by a higher countertop acts to highlight a unique material used in the surface. Balance in design is achieved not only by the use of simply symmetry. Portions of a room can be treated as a piece of art, with a frame indicating its presence.

8. Varying Heights
Island tops, countertops, and partial walls are being customized to the task performed there and to the needs of the homeowners. Pairing lower desk and prep areas with higher breakfast bar surfaces provides convenient task-specific spaces, which fosters a greater level of family interaction within the kitchen. In the bathroom, this design concept not only provides function, but balances the space. Varying heights seen in the edge of a wood bar top or granite countertop serve as a beautiful counterbalance. 

9. Japanese Influences
The impact of Japanese design can be seen very subtly in clean lines, open spaces, and neutral color palettes with bold splashes of color in select areas. More apparent Japanese influence is showing up in designs across North America, relying often on one strong anchor piece of Japanese origin. Artwork, Japanese antiques, and the traditional qualities of Japanese culture are at the core of some compelling kitchen and bath designs. The cultural effects seem not only to be additions or decorations to the design, but are deeply embedded as a primary ingredient. 

10. Art Integration
An intense level of personalization in kitchen and bath design is taking different forms. The introduction of a favored piece of art—perhaps a framed painting or an antique sculpture—as the basis for a design creates challenges, but also offers guidelines and solutions to color and material choices, as well as selections of theme. As artwork itself is personal to the owner, this presents an immediately intimate quality to the space. This method of integration allows the designer to fold all other aspects of the room around the treasured piece.