DiPrima Homes has been building for quite a long time, sixty-three years to be precise. Over those six decades, our company has seen countless trends and hundreds of floor plans. We’ve built dozens of models, in various styles, and allowed our homeowners to put their unique touch on their custom built-houses. Generally, DiPrima Homes kept within Brevard County, mostly in areas like Melbourne, Satellite Beach, and Palm Bay. So, most of our houses have Florida-specific and coastal influences.
Within competitive markets, it is advantageous to stay at the forefront of innovation, providing an edge against the aged competition. Custom home building is no different, and as a result, it is always changing. Builders are continually looking to include new construction techniques, designs, and technology in their houses to showcase their capabilities and make the next sale. In fact, you’re probably familiar with some of these trends already. Some techniques are flashy and in the news, like 3D printed houses. Popular architectural styles, like today’s modern farmhouse, are constantly on display in magazines, on television networks, and throughout social media. Technology-wise, we’re seeing a lot of smart appliances incorporated into our everyday lives.
While trends come and go, some of these ideas tend to stick around longer than others. After recently viewing several of the model homes across Brevard, I’ve compiled a list of modern design trends that I saw repeatedly throughout the higher-end custom houses in the area. I won’t be focusing so much on colors or themes, but more so the tangible floor plan features.
Open Floor Plans
Long gone are the days of winding hallways and segregated living compartments. Open floor plans are a staple in today’s age of interior design. Generally speaking, open floor plans connect the living, dining, and kitchen areas, to create one large and continuous space. Consequently, the house feels more welcoming and airy, prompting better interactions between family and guests. You’d be hard pressed to find a recent build that doesn’t have an open floor plan. Every model, of the ten that DiPrima Homes offers, has an open floor plan.
Dedicated Home Offices
At the outbreak of the pandemic several years ago, many Americans found themselves working from home. Even to this day, a significant portion of people still work from the comfort of their house. Thus, we’re seeing more and more dedicated home offices in new construction. These offices have ample space for large desks, built-in cabinetry, and shelving. Additionally, some homeowners opt for soundproofing in their office, or helpful technology, like WiFi boosters, surround-sound stereo, or automatic shades.
If you don’t work from home, perhaps you bring your work home with you, and could use a devoted room for your studies. Alternatively, throw a murphy bed in, and it becomes a part-time guest bedroom, fulfilling multiple roles.
Large Kitchen Islands
Kitchen islands are seemingly becoming larger and larger, and with good reason. First and foremost, they provide an excellent space to prepare and serve food. As we all know, countertop space is a precious commodity around Thanksgiving and Christmas. When food isn’t sprawled across the island, it’s a great location to have a casual meal, play cards, scroll through the news, or just sit.
Below the island, there is sufficient room for built-in appliances and extra storage. Most of our islands not only have a sink, but also house the dishwasher. Some homeowners go as far as to include cooktops, wine coolers, or small refrigerators.
Walk-in Pantry
Where there is a massive island, a walk-in pantry will follow. Large pantries are a quintessential part of many floor plans today, and are always requested by our homeowners. Occasionally referred to as a butler’s pantry, these rooms are a versatile addition to the kitchen. These pantries help to keep the kitchen clutter-free, and they’ll often also include cabinetry, shelving, and countertop space. Feel free to organize your heart out with the added storage.
Some homeowners choose to install appliances or beverage centers in their walk-in pantries, making the room a dedicated drink and snack space. While most people may keep their coffee maker in the pantry, I’ve seen others go as far as to include wine on tap.
Large Windows and Sliding Glass Doors
Following right behind the emphasis on open floor plans, is the necessity for an abundance of natural light. We typically capture the light through large windows and sliding glass doors, especially around the main living areas. The vast majority of our houses come with 8’ tall sliding glass doors, but if the wall can accommodate it, we’re seeing more and more floor to ceiling sliding glass doors and windows. If we’re unable to obtain such large doors or windows, we can always include a transom, which is the smaller window that sits above the main door or window.
Furthermore, such large openings blend inside and outside living. So many houses these days are being built with pools, screen enclosures, firepits, summer kitchens, and more. Thus, the ability to open up a sliding glass door and seamlessly walk from the living room onto the back patio transforms the house brilliantly. The expansive opening is also great for parties, barbecues, and enjoying comfortable weather.
High Ceilings, Vaulted Ceilings, and Trays
Last, but far from least on our list, is the ceiling. Our houses at DiPrima Homes come standard with 10’ ceilings. Relatively speaking, most houses have 8’ to 9’ ceilings, and 6’8 doors. Raising the ceiling an additional 2’ adds incredible volume to the house and conveys a feeling of openness. Higher ceilings also permit us to use 8’ doors, which are equally important in a luxury home. Most of our houses have several trays, often in the living area, dining room, and primary bathroom. A tray is just a step up in the ceiling, moving from 10’ to 11’, and almost always accented with crown molding.
If a higher ceiling isn’t enough, request a vaulted ceiling. Vaulted ceilings are angled upwards, think like a triangle, to raise the top of the ceiling even higher. Vaulted ceilings will often have some sort of trim or finish, whether it’s tongue and groove or a timber frame. They do a marvelous job of opening up the living space and can be breathtakingly beautiful. Request a Tour here.