Top Home Design Trends for 2021
When the subject is home design ideas, you’ll find plenty of them on the internet, at your home improvement retailer, and in your favorite magazines. At LaBram Homes, we get this insight another way: directly from our customers and the projects we oversee while bringing families the homes they have envisioned.
As we are ending the first quarter of this year, let’s look at some of the designs and styles that our clients are frequently requesting.
Home Styles
Modern: The modern style of home is defined by horizontal lines and a minimalist look. You’ll notice a variety of square shapes that are offset by an overall asymmetrical composition. Instead of being ornate, the modern home is marked by its functionality: large open floor plans and expansive windows that bring in light and nature while creating a distinctive look from within and outside the house. When combined with some of the elements we’ll look at later in this article, including textures, this style can be warm and inviting. Or, depending on the materials you prefer, it can make a strong minimalistic statement.
Also pairing well with the modern look: white colors and quartz countertops that resemble a natural marble. Together, these impart luxuriousness to your living space.
Contemporary: This design is more free form than the modern style since it’s based on what expresses the new ideas of today’s architects. Eco-friendly and energy-efficient designs are often part of the contemporary aesthetic (which ties into the move toward solar power that we’ll touch on further along in this overview). Other typical elements of the contemporary home include its open floor plan, large windows, and unconventional shapes.
Modern farmhouse: Often, this style will feature steeply pitched metal roofs. It has an attractive, front facade that evokes an earlier time period without seeming dated or out of step. In a two story version of the modern farmhouse, you’ll be struck by the contrast of long vertical windows along the first floor with their square counterparts on the second level. This home design seems to stretch from either side of the front door, producing a majestic effect when positioned on a large piece of property. You’ll also find narrower versions that conserve space. Other features include:
- Lapsiding
- Board and batten siding
- Front porch
- Gable roof
- Vaulted ceilings
- Wood flooring
Within these three options, there is such a wide variety that you are bound to find one that expresses the style you want to convey and enjoy for many years.
Colors
Most of us want 2021 to be the year we get back to basics. And what could be more basic than white? Deciding which shade of white can be an exercise in overwhelming options. Whites comes in a range of versatile hues, and each one is attractive because they help other features stand out by comparison. Soft white tones will blend with natural wood accents. And the lighter versions can create a stunning visual effect when combined with the other popular color this year: black.
Black windows are trending because of the striking look they can create – from within the house and outside of the house. Their effect is enhanced when situated next to white and other light colors.
The contrast of black and white work quite well in modern, contemporary, and farmhouse homes, each of which prominently showcase their windows. But if you want a little more depth to your walls, tone down your palette and go with neutral colors, including the versatile gray.
As you’ll see in the next section, the focus on shades of white and the impact of contrasts is apparent in some of the other trends we’re seeing, including the interest in wood tones.
Textures
When it comes to textures, we’ve seen a surge of interest in the natural look. This includes wood tones and accents across a variety of areas: floors, shelving, decking, and more. Textures are an enormously important element of home design. They can help break up the look of a room by adding contrast and depth. Consider the impact you can achieve when combining the flat look of slab cabinets (more on those later) with the endless variety of textures you can enjoy from your floors. There’s so much to choose from when it comes to textured materials, including tiles, stone, laminate, natural wood, and other surfaces that add visual excitement.
When the texture isn’t just visual but physical, a textured floor can also prevent slips and feel comfortable to walk on.
Another benefit of textured design elements: They will reflect light differently than smooth surfaces. This can mean a softer look that doesn’t have the harsh bright spots you’ll see emanating from flat surfaces that sometimes reflect more light in areas close to the source of illumination.
For your outdoor decking, the textured look can bridge your home with the natural elements and landscaping that surround it.
Whatever the surface you’re considering for texture, you’ll be adding character to your home, giving it a feel that imparts a sense of comfort. Texture can also be forgiving when it comes to damage, as nicks, scuffs, and dents will be less noticeable than they would be on a smooth surface. It can also add a vintage look through surfaces that look aged or distressed.
Cabinet styles
Cabinets are among the first features you will notice in a kitchen. Because that is where you’ll spend much of your time, you’ll want to choose a style that suits you. It should also complement the overall home design, color scheme, and other elements – including your countertops and floors.
We’re noticing slab (or flat-front cabinets) are popular because – as the name indicates — they create a simple, smooth look. These minimalist cabinets will also present a pleasing juxtaposition with textured surfaces. Because the focus is on their lines, these cabinet types work well in modern homes. But you’ll find their simple elegance will complement other styles just as well.
If you prefer a little depth with your simplicity, consider the Shaker style. These cabinets are very popular because, like the flat-fronts, they are clean and simple. What sets them apart is the recessed center panel that creates a timeless look, so you’ll be happy with this choice for many years.
Countertops
Like cabinets, countertops are among the most prominent elements in a custom kitchen. Homeowners will often appreciate quartz as their material of choice when it has a calacatta or statuario “marble” look. Not only will they express the grand style you want, they resist bacteria and are non-porous, unlike their real marble counterparts.
Calacatta quartz is stain and scratch resistant. It’s also a formidable-looking material for countertops – particularly those within modern homes. Use them in the kitchen and bathroom for an upscale look that isn’t ostentatious. You may appreciate its long, wide gray veining that runs across its white slab. Our experts at LaBram can show you some variations of calacatta so you can see which type might work best in your home.
Like calacatta, the statuario quartz countertop has veining that makes it look like real statuario marble, which contains gold and gray patterns. Unlike calacatta, statuario may not have quite as much color variation across its surface, resulting in a bolder look.
With both types of countertops, you can choose different edges that will complement or accentuate the look.
Even if you limit yourself to these two types, you still have an abundance of variety within them to choose from.
Roofs
Flat and metal roofs are very popular right now. Why? Well, even though metal roofs are more expensive, they’re also highly durable, outlasting traditional shingles by many years. While the upfront costs are greater, investing in a metal roof helps ensure your home will last through the generations of your family.
The distinctive flat roof style will make your home stand out amidst the typical Florida architecture. And it’s often a defining feature of the modern houses we described above. Flat roofs can be made with a variety of materials, including hot tar and gravel, bitumen, rubber membrane, and PVC membrane. Should you decide to go with a flat roof, LaBram will recommend the best surface for your home.
Extras
For people buying custom homes, it is worth adding the special touches. Among those we see interest in:
- Elevators. These have a practical benefit for multi-story homes. They also can add an element of safety for anyone who has difficulty moving up and down stairs. Consider including an elevator in your design, as you can fold its expense into the overall cost of the home and the mortgage. Elevators can also help ensure your home is livable as you age.
- Wine rooms and wine storage appliances are great practical additions for aficionados and collectors, and can work in any style of home. They also add another element of luxury to your house and serve as a focal point when you’re entertaining guests. You can’t have a wine cellar in Florida, but you still have a lot of options. Showcase your wine stock in the dining room, under the stairs, and even in your living room. Or you can build a separate pantry for storing your growing collection.
- Outdoor kitchens. Regardless of your house style, the outdoor kitchen can be a fantastic and practical addition. You may prefer to do your cooking outdoors on occasion or perhaps on a frequent basis. This feature can also be ideal for those who like to entertain. But the outdoor kitchen is nice to have beyond special backyard events and large get-togethers like Thanksgiving and birthday parties. Think of the mild Florida winters and spring as another reason to enjoy cooking outside.
Whether you’re motivated by making a statement of opulence or practical needs, these extras can be the final pieces to personalizing your home. At last, you can have the features and amenities you’ve always wanted.
Solar power
Solar energy is part of a years-long shift toward saving on energy while being better for the environment. Another big advantage of going with solar power: You can write off from your taxes a sizable chunk of your investment in a solar energy system. In 2021, the federal solar tax credit allows homeowners to write off 26% of the cost of installing a solar photovoltaic system.
So if you’re considering building a home this year and want to be eco-friendly and cost-conscious, think of the solar tax credit as another great reason to make the investment in the home of your dreams.
Another benefit of going solar: There’s no maximum amount that you can claim. Plus, you’ll get to claim the write-off even if you’ve financed payment through the seller of your system. Talk to LaBram about your financing options and how we can incorporate a solar energy system into the construction of your new home.
Work with LaBram Homes
We hope we’ve given you some food for thought when it comes to building your custom home. You may even be excited and inspired by the possibilities. The experts at LaBram Homes are here to listen and help realize your vision. If you have any questions, we’re here to answer them. Contact the folks at LaBram Homes today.
