The real estate market in South Florida has been booming as of late, particularly in Fort Lauderdale, where many people are choosing to build custom homes on waterfront properties and close to downtown.
Architectural designs have been shifting towards towards modern, traditional, and transitional attributes, and away from Mediterranean influences. A few features custom home builders and architects are being asked to incorporate into their design are open floor plans, large kitchens, outdoor kitchens, and energy efficiency in the home.
Open Floor Plans
When considering living spaces for homes it is important to think of functionality, ease of use, and flexibility. How are people moving throughout the home? Where do they spend most of their time? With an open floor plan created by limiting the walls between spaces homeowners can enjoy moving throughout the home feely and comfortably. The home may seem larger than it really is by transitioning the kitchen, dining room, and family rooms together. This has become popular in the custom homes UBACK has been building.
Expansive Kitchens
Kitchens opening into living spaces, particularly the living room and dining rooms, have been the norm lately. This lends to entertaining very well, and allows to people interact while preparing meals instead of being hidden away like the old closed kitchens.
Custom cabinetry, high-end stainless steel appliances, and exotic stone countertops have all been incorporated into custom home kitchens for the epicure connoisseur. People are spending a lot of time in their kitchens whether to entertain, prepare daily meals, or cater to their personal chef’s needs.
Outdoor Kitchens
A BBQ grill, a refrigerator, a fire pit, and couches to boot outdoor kitchens are being included in almost all of the custom homes that UBACK is building. Custom homes in South Florida have become complete with outdoor living rooms to enjoy the weather Florida has to offer.
Energy Efficiency
As well as being great for our environment, energy efficient homes can save money on power consumption. More and more people are becoming aware of the many ways a new custom home can be energy efficient to save money on their electric bills. Here are a few:
- Energy efficient impact windows
- High SEER air conditioning units
- Lighter color roof tiles
- Using natural gas appliances and pool equipment
- Home orientation to the sun
- Using shade trees in landscape design
All of these custom home building trends are design features that can easily be incorporated into your new custom home and they are some of the reasons South Florida living is so unique.