Living in Southern California feels like a blessing each and every sunny day, and those lucky enough to call Southern California home certainly realize just how special it is. Some of the latest trends come from this part of the US, and home trends are no different. Whether you’re looking for a new home or just looking for creative remodeling ideas, keep an eye out for new features in home construction. After all, the purpose of the latest and greatest amenities is to increase your quality of life, as well as increase the resale value of your home.
Here are the top five amenities featured in new homes in Southern California:
1. Gourmet Kitchens: No longer just a place to cook, the kitchen is the newest room in any Southern California home undergoing an extraordinary makeover. If you like to cook gourmet meals, then you know how different it is to just pull out a skillet and cook some eggs. You need the right environment. A gourmet kitchen requires more appliances, more utensils, more control, and above all, more space. And if you don’t cook much, you can still look good and have plenty of room for entertaining. Additionally, a gourmet kitchen also goes a long way in increasing the market value of your home. Today’s gourmet kitchens include some very high-end amenities such as: double sinks and additional prep sinks, recessed lighting, 2 double ovens, 2 dishwashers, and built-in refrigerator/freezer with matching door panels on the cabinets.
Gourmet kitchen décor also includes decorative Italian tile backsplashes; and marble, tile, and granite floors and countertops.
2. Main Living Rooms: No newly built Southern California home is complete without a main living room. From sitting, reading, watching TV, and writing to talking, working, and listening to music, your main living area should have all the latest amenities and furnishings. The room should be designed so that you don’t have to leave your room if you don’t want to! Contemporary living rooms should be large, spacious, and comfortable. Main living room amenities include broadband Internet access, a large or flat screen TV with digital cable reception, surround sound and DVD player, and perhaps some ambience with a fireplace.
3. Larger Bathrooms and Master Bathroom Coffee/Breakfast Bars: In the Southern California new home market, the demand for larger, more luxurious bathrooms has increased over the years. When it comes to modern bathroom designs, coffee or breakfast bars in the master bathroom are in demand. You no longer have to visit a spa, you can have your own private space in your room! Imagine a large bathroom with a large comfortable tub and a full length mirror with a coffee bar on one side and a mini fridge on the other. Luxury bathrooms also include larger cabinets, his and her vanities, and Jacuzzi tubs.
4. Larger Family Rooms – Your family room is a reflection of your family life. When done right, it can be attractive, elegant, comfortable, and sophisticated. Demand for larger family rooms has also increased in recent years and now most Southern California homeowners are looking for something big and spacious. By combining natural elements with a modern style, you can create your own multi-functional family room. The more functional family rooms can accommodate a large flat screen television. For entertainment, or just a ‘family night’ at home, media rooms and home theaters are also very popular.
5. Germ-Free Surfaces: Not all new home trends focus on looks; now more than ever, homeowners are looking for new fabrics and materials that can also protect the health of their families. Protection against harmful microorganisms can be added to kitchen and bathroom surfaces with antiseptic supplies and treatments. And, due to their non-porous nature, countertops that are made of engineered stone products such as epoxy and quartz are also in demand.
These five home features are just a few of the latest trends in new homes in Southern California. Be sure to look for these and more when buying a new home or looking to upgrade your current home.