ILG Blog Featured 4

In the era of the 2020s, homebuyers’ needs have shifted. The pandemic drew people to value simplicity and health. More gatherings in the home, more awareness of our environment, and how consumer goods are sourced. Across generations, homebuyers value safety, sustainability, and community more than ever.

This, in turn, affects the needs of builders. How can they best cater to these societal shifts as they translate to construction and design?

At ILG, we specialize in tracking these homebuyer trends so we can further advance our industry and educate builders on homebuyers’ needs—not just for today, but also for tomorrow.

Looking at future homebuyers’ needs is critical. According to the 2021 National Association of Realtors (NAR) Homebuyers & Sellers Generational Trends Report, Millennial buyers ages 22 to 30 years continue to make up the largest share of homebuyers at 37% (older Millennials at 23% and younger Millennials at 14%)—and Gen Z is right behind them. This younger demographic will also greatly impact how builders cater to macro generational changes in preferences and values.

In this blog, we will redefine what buyers need in a home. Specifically, we will be exploring the cherished concept of the kitchen, sustainable and green innovation, and how the cultural shift toward wellness is blending with integrative tech to create a new hybrid system of home design and construction.

A Larger Kitchen—& Dining Al Fresco

We’ve said it 100 times and we’ll say it again: the kitchen is the heart home—now more than ever.

The pandemic has humbled Americans in many ways, which plays into our view of the kitchen. Perhaps it is more resonant of Italians, where the kitchen is a temple for joy and community—it’s our la dolce vita, our sanctuary in a hyper-digital world of constant interruptions and 24/7 news. We need a haven from the outside world, and the kitchen has taken on that role.

Builders need to understand this romance with the kitchen and spend time carefully curating larger kitchen spaces flooded with light and designed for gathering. They must also prioritize kitchen construction as a great investment for the next set of homebuyers. Kitchen renovations are generating strong ROI when homes are sold, as homebuyers are increasingly looking to the kitchen as a make-or-break point in their decision. Therefore, builders can leverage their expertise by creating a modern, spacious kitchen that reflects the individual preferences of their customers.

One fun preferential trend we are noticing is the rising demand for outdoor kitchens as people long to return to nature and to each other. This extends beyond the barbeque to include high-tech space that fuses interior and exterior life. Elements such as wine refrigerators, beverage dispensers, pizza ovens, fireplaces, and high-tech cooking appliances are causing major buzz among builders who must expand the kitchen—not just inside, but also outside. After all, it’s the little things in life (and pizza ovens are fun!).

Energy-Efficient Everything

Utilizing greener materials, energy-efficient grids, and sustainable applications is another defining turn in the homebuilding process. Traditional building know-how, basic architecture, and engineering foundations are shifting to model high-tech and green innovation.

Research shows that 25% of homebuyers today value a home built with a portion of sustainable materials and concepts in mind. High-performing thermal layers (exemplified in well-insulated windows), passive solar design, and installing a drip irrigation system are all building methodologies that will increasingly become the standard.

It’s also important for builders to think non-toxic and local when it comes to sourcing their materials. This reduces excess waste, shipping costs, and energy costs while supporting American-made products.

ILG can help builders coordinate with these local vendors and suppliers while working on their next project—to deliver that eco-clean and trusted interior finish. We have a large network of installation partners with whom we work closely. Given our local market scale and extensive experience, we offer a streamlined process and high-quality end results.

Health Boosting Tech & Smart Homes

As a “machine for living in” – Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier’s term for a house – the home should serve humans’ primary and primal functions. The structure should be timeless, comfortable, safe, secure, while embodying privacy and wellness. According to research, the 2030s will be defined by social, cultural, and policy rules that were reframed by the seminal event (so far) of our era: the pandemic. Because of this, wellness and technology are meeting one another in seamless union. Thus, health-boosting tech.

Health-boosting tech is a great feature to improve the quality of the home’s environment and increase home value. According to research, 17% of homebuyers ages 22-30 years would buy a new home for its Smart Home features.  Homebuyers of today prize a serene haven as the environment for their home—which can be achieved through elements such as heated floors and HVAC systems that emit essential oils like eucalyptus. This “spa” experience is becoming more common, not just because of demand, but also because of the improvement and accessibility of tech that’s streamlined as one unit. This makes these innovations more affordable for more consumers and easy to install.

Homebuyers of today also want physical safety, tangible proof of cost savings, and remote access, which Smart Home tech provides. For instance, through this technology, you can open the door for a friend or family member who needs to access your home, or you can lock or turn on security systems when you’re away.

Lighting control is another way to maximize wellness and reduce carbon footprint through “the Internet of Things.” According to The Seattle Times, “Through crafty programming, lighting systems can be set to fully automated schedules that will turn off, dim or brighten whenever you want. Some systems can even detect whether you are away from home and turn off the lights to maximize energy savings.” This technology reads your needs and preferences before you are even aware of it yourself. It also saves energy and money and provides you with improved security that feels effortless.

Just as hardware and software are melding together in other industries, the same goes for home building. It’s necessary that builders understand this irreversible paradigm shift as they take on new projects and stay current on rapid innovations and latest trends in homebuyer preferences. ILG continues to lead the industry by providing key insights into these design and installation trends, making it that much easier for builders to create dream homes for their clientele.

Decorating and renovating the kitchen can be a great passion project in addition to greatly boosting homebuyer value—that is, if it’s done right.

In today’s techy age, trends come and go with swiftness, from the news cycle, fashion, and of course, design. But amidst all the fast-paced fads, certain designs and color palettes maintain a classic and timeless feel.

Today, we will explore a few of our favorite kitchen color palettes that exude that timeless decorum, while still embracing a distinctive style.

White & Bright 

The Farmhouse-style craze enhanced the popularity of the all-white kitchen we commonly see today, beloved by millennials and prevalent on Instagram. Although many would say that the Farmhouse home (as a whole) has run its course, the white-centric kitchen design style of the modern farmhouse is here to stay. In fact, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) reported that in 2019, 72% of farmhouse kitchen designs featured a white color palette.

White is a great go-to for a kitchen as it not only enhances the open floor plan of the kitchen—which is another popular design style of today, but maximizes light, too.

Homebuilders and designers can also play around with white design elements by utilizing accents and utilities. By incorporating the iconic farmhouse apron-front sink, one can add a splash of white to demonstrate this trend without going overboard. One can also utilize the white color palette through the use of quartz or marble countertops, or white backsplashes, to give off that iridescent sheen.

Over the past five years, we have seen a huge increase in the use of engineered quartz and marble countertops compared to granite, primarily due to its lighter complexion.

This is a great way to incorporate the white and bright design trend in a more subtle way. In fact, studies show that over 45% of designers agree that white countertops are the leading color preference of the modern homeowner.

Granted, white—if overused, can become almost too clean, or sterile. Therefore, it’s recommended to choose warm toned whites for the kitchen, featuring blonde wood accents or floors, colored backsplashes, and warm, golden lighting to cushion the space and balance out any risk of going too white.

Studies show that millennials value spaces that feel light, bright, and devoid of clutter, so modern white kitchens are also a safe bet for homebuilders to use as a foundation, as well as for homeowners to keep in mind when renovating a kitchen before selling their house.

Dramatic Blue & Gold

Over the past five years, blue has become quite popular in the kitchen when used as both a dominant color and an accent. That’s why blue cabinets with gold accents are, surprisingly enough, a safe bet for your next kitchen renovation project.

The duo speaks to the maximalist trends of today without going overboard. Blue also pairs beautifully with white, woods, concrete, and more, making it a great way to add a pop of color without clashing and overriding the overall look and feel of the kitchen.

Consider tones such as sky blue, azure, classic duck egg, navy, and Aegean teal for kitchen cabinets. Then, add in a touch of gold hues. These shades of blue light up the room and pair effortlessly with gold brassy hardware. The gold accents offer a playful, yet timeless feel to the kitchen, giving the space a sense of history, and makes a huge difference in the overall feeling when one walks into the kitchen.

For some, the blue and gold may appear too theatrical or intense for a kitchen space, so consider toning it down with a two-tone cabinetry set up. This has become a highly sought-after design choice, as it creates depth without becoming overly busy or chaotic.

For instance, one might choose half of their cabinets to be painted a warm-toned white, grey, or cream, while others are painted a deep, saturated blue—Voila!

If you like this playful aesthetic that is unique yet remains universal, then this color palette is for you.

White, Black, & Touch of Grey 

This soothing yet modern color palette is what we like to call “cozy industrial.”

It features whites, greys, black, brown, and sage greens. This style was born from the minimalist and Bauhaus influences that make up the revamped embrace of midcentury modern design, beloved by the contemporary interior design and architecture world. In the kitchen, this style incorporates earthy, raw tones that give an air of coolness.

This style, which mixes elements of an industrial kitchen or modern art gallery into a residential space, is another style that appears to be in vogue for the long run. Gutted ceilings, featured patches of grout, black hues mixed with distressed woods, and open shelving, all work in tandem to create an eclectic yet minimalist feel to the space.

A bonus of the industrial style is that it fits well with the stainless-steel appliances craze, which has become a defining factor in homebuilder and homebuyer kitchen value. In fact, HomeLight’s survey reported that buyers are about 50% more likely to put an offer on a house with stainless steel appliances compared to houses that don’t have them.

When choosing a countertop for this aesthetic, it can be fun to go with grey marble, which is calm yet chic. Research shows that grey is the most popular alternative to white, with 27% of renovating homeowners embracing grey, from grey kitchen walls, grey flooring, and grey backsplashes.

Homebuilders can also implement a matte surface for their countertops by choosing honed, marble slabs that create a ‘smooth surface’ look and emphasize an industrial feel. For cabinets, choosing a rich black color to absorb the light can be a bold option that gives a statement of edge and modernity while also giving a clean, industrial look.

Recap

In short, this versatile range of kitchen color palettes are safe and aesthetically pleasing packages when looking to create a kitchen that will stand the test of time. They are modern, but not aggressively stylistic. They are distinct in their feel, but remain useful and ubiquitous.

These modern kitchen palettes reflect the broader tastes and lifestyle shifts of today, so our design experts believe these are trends that harbor staying power and will serve as the foundational choices for many homebuilders when designing kitchen spaces.

Color is one the most powerful mood influencers out there. It can change our emotions and subconscious state of mind, and it even affects our perception of ourselves and others.

Colors that match our ideals promote positive moods and perceptions. This is what everyone hopes to achieve in their home, which is why we all wait breathlessly for the release of Pantone’s Color of the Year. This year’s color: Very Peri, a periwinkle purple with red undertones.

Very Peri is the first Pantone Color of the Year ever curated from scratch, rather than selected from a catalogue of thousands of hues. The shade promotes looking at the world “through different eyes” and inspiring “unexpected solutions to what we call daring minds,” according to Pantone’s executive director Leatrice Eiseman in an interview with The New York Times.

Very Peri is also aligned with modern tech sensibilities: there was even an NFT project that coordinated with its digital semblance and futuristic gaze.

So, what emotions does Veri Peri evoke and represent—and how can this be applied to interior design?

Let’s explore.

Variety is the Spice of Life

With design, color is the holy grail. We have seen its transformative power in real time and know how quickly it can set the tone of a room.

Veri Peri is an example of this emotive capriciousness.

While some designers praise its celestial and aquarian quality, others rebuke it for being perhaps too campy, too kitsch, cartoonish, and unsettling. For example, according to the New York Times article, Georgia Wilkinson, studio coordinator of Creed Design Associates in Leicester, England, criticized the color’s “brash and cartoonlike quality.”

However, when it comes to designing a home, color varies in an endless spectrum of tones, shades, pigments, and applications, so it’s important to experiment and test colors out for a cumulative period before jumping to conclusions.

For instance, you may glimpse the Veri Peri color as gorgeous and alluring at first glance. But after being exposed to the color over time, you may become uneasy or even anxious from its presence.

There’s your answer.

It’s time to choose another color and sit with that one.

Conversely, you may sit with the color and grow to love it more every day. Other designers have praised the color for its drama, with its blue hues signaling positivity. The designer India Mahdavi, known for her adventurous color choices, described Veri Peri as “the color of the sky between dusk and dawn,” and suggested using it as an accent – a velvet sofa, a tiled backsplash, one wall out of four in a room, a bathroom wallpaper, etc.

Technology to the Rescue

ILG’s visualization technology can help homeowners determine which camp they are in, with Veri Peri or any hue. They can experiment with different colors and their subsequent emotions to determine if the color gives them what they need—be it a sense of joy and energy or a stabilizing calm or peace—and how it might be applied in their home.

Whether we know it or not, color has a polarizing effect on the psyche. We either respond to it well or we don’t. Veri Peri symbolizes how a bold color choice can provoke intense responses across the spectrum of human emotion.

For example, many people feel calmer with soft, brown tones. They value simplicity, remote work, movement, and meditation—a return to a more rustic vestige away from technology. Others are more daring and may be drawn to cheekier shades like Veri Peri. It all depends on personal preference.

When it comes to designing a home, the owner is empowered to choose, but it is wise to remind them of deep impact one color can have. That’s why ILG provides expert designer teams—among expert installation teams, to serve as a guide and ultimately make builders’ and buyers’ lives easier.

The kitchen requires active maintenance to maximize utility, convenience, and home value—hence, the kitchen remodel.

A kitchen remodel is a necessity, and for some, a passion project. While the kitchen has always been the heart of the home, since the pandemic it has become an ever-greater focal point of connection and gathering, of warmth and safety. This contributes to the increasing importance for homeowners to leverage the potential of their kitchen remodel.

Increased attention on the kitchen space translates to the housing market, as an updated kitchen can greatly bolster home value. In fact, according to research, a major upscale kitchen remodel returns 53.9% of the money invested. Remodeling a kitchen with mid-range fixtures has a 58.6% return on investment, and a minor kitchen upgrade with mid-range fixtures merits a 77.6% ROI.

Still, it can be overwhelming to choose renovations for the best return on investment—as well as the one that fits one’s personal preferences, budget, and timeline.

Here are some ways to leverage the potential of a kitchen remodel – and get the most bang for one’s buck.

Consider Adding an Island

Although adding a kitchen island is a bigger investment than other upgrades to this room, the return on investment is strong, and the pros of a kitchen island are plentiful and everlasting.

A kitchen island signifies space, luxury, and convenience for those who like to cook, value storage space, or need extra seating. An island plays upon optical illusions to create a sense of breadth and space, making kitchens appear much larger than they are.

According to industry findings, 50 percent of buyers want a kitchen island, and that number is expected to increase throughout the decade as Gen-Z and Millennials become more acclimated to the homebuyer landscape. Both functional and attractive, islands will always be in high demand, and it’s likely they will never go out of style.

Buyers can further leverage their kitchen remodel by carefully selecting their countertop material. Quartz countertops are great options, as they are extremely durable and economical, but still evoke beauty. Granite used to be all the rage, and although it still provides great utility, most people aren’t looking for darker countertops. Our ILG trends forecast recommends quartz and porcelain countertops. When selling a home, these countertop materials will appeal to a wider range of homebuyers.

Whichever material is chosen, an island invokes fresh energy into a kitchen, boosts home value, and creates more space to gather, eat, cook, and more.

The Future of Smart Kitchens

The demand for smart kitchen technology is a tide-changing shift in the industry.

According to Facts and Factors, the global Smart Kitchen Appliances Market was worth USD 11.76 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 33.55 billion by the end of 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 19.10% between 2021 and 2026. This is huge for our industry and for the future of home renovation and design.

To leverage a modernized kitchen, think of a remodel as a seamless connection between the physical and digital spheres. For example, WiFi-connected appliances, smart speakers, and personal data privacy are just a few tech amenities that people want in their kitchen. Smart appliances, such as green dishwashers and smart refrigerators, greatly cut energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.

Due to this widespread digital evolution, there is an increased need and demand for more education and collaboration between the design community and technology integrators. At ILG, we prioritize top-tier tech innovations to drive this collaboration between designers, tech integrators, and other channels, too—specifically by keeping our clients in the loop.

When it comes to leveraging kitchen renovations, it’s wise to invest in smart tech amenities and appliances, even if it’s just one smart appliance. Increasing standards for green energy, such as California’s pledge to go carbon neutral by 2025, will trickle down to the homeowner, so investing in smart, green tech will greatly bolster home value.

Cabinetry, Hardware & A Farmhouse Sink

Cabinetry optimizes storage space, which is a top priority for current homebuyers. And hardware exemplifies an aesthetic and elegant appeal without a laborious hassle. The accent pieces of hardware are cost-efficient and easy to install, and their accent goes a long way.

Cabinetry also couples well with increased demand for generous pantry space or a butler’s pantry. Well-designed cabinets can open space for other kitchen amenities and reserves, such as a wine fridge or wine nook/breakfast bar.

If installing new cabinets and storage space falls outside a homeowner’s budget, then they can enhance the brightness of their kitchen by simply refreshing cabinets with painting and hardware.

Additional trends in the kitchenscape can serve as a small investment that goes a long way. For instance, 30 percent of buyers want a farmhouse sink; therefore, this beloved trend is a great addition to a kitchen remodel.

Conclusion

Working with ILG’s design and technology expertise can streamline the kitchen renovation process. We can work together with homeowners as a team to carefully curate their preferred countertop, cabinet installation, hardware options, and tech-integrated amenities.

This way, they can leverage their kitchen renovation to their timeline and budget while embracing their personal style and preferences. Working with us will also empower owners to work within the scope of design and material trends that will increase the value of their home.