Changes to Floor Plans
Formal living spaces are falling out of favor with busy families. As a result, new home builders are eliminating formal rooms and devoting the leftover space to larger kitchens and great rooms, spaces where the family can relax together. Home offices are also being cut from floor plans to conserve space; builders are instead offering "pocket offices", small built-in desk areas in kitchens and family rooms where homeowners can pay bills and children can complete homework. Another popular change to floor plans is the master laundry room. Builders are moving laundry facilities out of the basement or mudroom and into a space off the master walk-in closet, putting the washer and dryer right where homeowners need them.

Life of Luxury
In many parts of the country, especially in condo communities, living spaces are shrinking. To make up for the shortage of square footage, builders are focusing on first-class amenities. In addition to gyms, pools, and media rooms, builders are adding libraries and business lounges to their lists of amenities—great bonuses for any condo owners working from home. By paying more attention to amenities, builders are creating spaces where residents can get out of their units and interact with their neighbors.

Three Generations under One Roof
With the struggling economy, the lack of jobs for college graduates, and the high cost of daycare, it's not unusual to find more than one generation living in a home. To reflect the new trend, builders are designing single-family homes to accommodate the privacy needs of each generation. Some homes feature two master suites, one upstairs close to children's rooms and one downstairs with outdoor access. To give each generation their own living space, builders are creating floor plans with two living rooms, one with outdoor access.

High Impact for Low Price
Creating multiple roof lines on a home adds exterior architectural interest, but it also increases building costs. To keep the selling price down, builders are increasing curb appeal in other ways. Using mixed materials, like metal, wood and stone, on the exterior surfaces of a home can create visual interest for much less than multiple roof lines.