If 2016 was the year of ‘broken plan’ homes, where we moved away from open plan living spaces and into high-tech homes with hidden ‘nooks and crannies’; what is 2017 likely to bring to the home of luxury properties.
Cinema rooms
Media rooms now rival the local public theatre and are as prevalent in luxury homes as the family room. These windowless rooms typically boast a theatre-size screen, surround sound and rows of plush seats to accommodate large groups.
The pet parlour
We’re not just talking about an additional utility room to keep your pooch from muddying the rest of the house after a country walk. Many luxury homes now boast a fully-fledged dog room, complete with underfloor heating, luxury dog beds, showers and overhead lamps to dry them after a muddy walk!
Upstairs laundry rooms
This is an interesting new trend seen amongst luxury homebuyers from across the Atlantic. Considering the majority of our laundry is created upstairs, it makes sense to have your laundry upstairs too and save having to carry laundry baskets to and from the utility room. As well as having space and plumbing for washing machines and tumble dryers, we are also likely to see separate drying cupboards, which not only dry clothes in record time, but also remove creases and eradicate the need for ironing.
Wine rooms
Wine rooms in new luxury homes have moved a world away from a simple temperature-controlled cupboard. They are like art galleries, designed to make you stop and stare and provide a full tasting experience.
Adventure playgrounds
A simple swing and slide or the dreaded trampoline isn’t enough to satisfy today’s young families. Luxury homebuyers are now looking for an adventure playground that puts the local park to shame, with everything from beautifully crafted wooden climbing frames and tree houses to cycle paths and giant sand pits.
The submerging swimming pool
What could be anymore James Bond than pressing a button and seeing the floor of the swimming pool rise up, cascading pool water down beneath it. You can go from pool to ballroom in just a few minutes, maximising space and impressing party guests.
Games rooms
A giant screen and a pool table will no longer cut it. The ultimate man cave or teenage hide out will be a high-tech affair, with music, radio, and TV audio streamed through ceiling speakers from any smart device, including a built-in music server that can be linked to iTunes or Spotify.
Lighting
Edison bulbs were a big deal last year. You are likely to start seeing more light fixtures being built around LED bulbs, such as using long tubes and small cups to house unique designs while also providing bright, energy efficient lighting. A big point of emphasis in 2017 will be accenting your recessed lighting. Even the light switches and outlets are offering a sleek new grey colour to match the popular cool tones that have worked their way into our homes.
