Over the last few years, we’ve seen indoor spaces trend toward brighter, lighter colors with natural wood elements incorporated throughout and a resurgence of blues, greens, and beige tones. But styling finishes aren’t the only things that have evolved. As we’ve started the new year, we’ve explored new builder floorplans and found several emerging architectural plan trends that new home buyers are sure to love. Here are five of our favorite floorplan trends of 2023 so far:
Large mudrooms
Home drop zones with built-in benches, shoe storage, and purse and backpack hooks have become something of a must-have in new homes in recent years, but builders are taking them to the next level in their new floorplans.
Many new home builders in the D.C. metro and throughout the country are expanding the typical drop zone into a more spacious room that contains the laundry, extra storage, a bonus refrigerator, and even dedicated pet sinks. These large, high-function spaces are perfect for families at every life stage.
Expansive relaxation zones
Primary baths have long been a showcase item in the home. While function remains a priority, as do the design selections themselves, new home floorplans show that luxury bathrooms are on the rise—and not just in homes with large square footage.
Homes of every size show floorplans that extend the standard primary bath into a true relaxation haven. Additional square footage is allocated to a bathing area which features a beautiful standalone tub, while multiple showerheads adorn larger showering spaces and dual vanities provide allocated extended storage. These upgraded spaces are sure to give new homeowners a retreat they’ll love.
Features that bring the outside in
Over the past few years, we’ve seen homes—both new and existing—find ways to invite the outdoors in. Green cabinets, backsplashes, and interior touches have become common and continue to remain popular in 2023. In new construction, builders are upping the trend, with many new home floorplans showcasing larger windows and enhanced features such as full room-spanning sliding doors that connect living spaces and kitchens to outdoor covered porches and full outdoor kitchens.
Built-in cabinets
Good built-ins never go out of style. And while built-in storage has long been available as an optional upgrade, we’re finding that an increasing number of home builders are including these classic features as standard elements of their new construction floorplans or in new, interesting ways.
Built-ins continue to be popular in main living areas—particularly as they surround fireplaces or create feature walls around like TV zones—but we’re also finding them in home offices, which continue to be a key floorplan inclusion to appeal to buyers.
Extended pantry and prep zones
The kitchen island is another long-standing kitchen favorite, and 2023 new construction floorplans are showing a trend toward extending the kitchen island prep space and other functional kitchen spaces.
In addition to longer islands that include additional storage, built-in wine cabinets, and extra seating, one feature beginning to appear on more floorplans is the hidden pantry—an extended storage room often disguised as a kitchen cabinet. Beyond its visual appeal, buyers are sure to love the extra space and that it keeps pantry contents well hidden, giving the kitchen an extra spacious, extra clean feel.
