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Home of the Future

INTERIOR DESIGNER'S TIPS FOR BUILDING A HOME THAT CAN ADAPT TO CHANGING NEEDS

Article by Karen Mills

Photography by 29Pixel Studios

Homeowners are looking for a home of the future that's not only functional and healthy, but also flexible and inviting whether its a home office (or two) for work/school, a gym, coffee shop, entertainment area (home theater), or a place to vacation at home. Read on for my interior designer tips on how to make your home easily adapt to your future needs.

When you're designing a new home consider first how to create a clean healthy environment. Some options to consider include:

+ A floor plan with a mudroom/laundry area and shower just inside the garage door where family members can get cleaned up before entering the rest of the house

+ A high quality air purifying system that removes toxins including viruses and bacteria 

+ Bathrooms with all tiled walls and ceilings that can be hosed down when needed.

+ A floor plan that allows great cross ventilation of fresh outdoor air and for sunlight to penetrate further into the home

And speaking of floor plans why not design your open living area to allow portions of it to be partitioned off with doors - barn, pocket, partition, or French doors like this family room area to create private spaces for family members, while also making the spaces multi functional. For example, you could have barn doors that provide a cozy sitting area for reading/games, home office or home theater that could transform into a guest bedroom with just the addition of a small closet.

In the kitchen hidden doors that look like cabinetry could open to reveal a small home office area that could later become a pantry or even a panic room. French doors that lead to a porch/sun room can also provide much needed additional space for alone time without sacrificing your outdoor view.

Outdoor spaces could include outdoor entertainment options that range from heated pools, hot tubs, and putting greens to outdoor kitchens, covered bars with big screen TVs, and/or a small guest house with French glass doors that morph into a studio/office, man cave, or pool house if needed.

In this porch design heated floors and a fireplace were included to make the porch more all weather where winters can be quite cold. A TV hidden behind an original artwork provides flexibility for using this space to watch television too.

In summary, the key to successfully designing a house of the future that can be easily adaptable to future needs lies in the ability to plan ahead for ever possible scenario like a professional interior designer would do along with a floor plan that's flexible.  

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