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The Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Choose a Custom Home Design Over a Stock Floor Plan

“Building your own home is about desire…fantasy. But it’s achievable. Anyone can do it.”

~ Kevin McCloud, World-renowned design expert

When planning to build a home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you may wonder if it is better to go with an existing stock floor plan or choose a custom home design that was created  just for you.

If you are like most people, you probably have only a very general idea of what you want and need in your new home — the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the inclusion of a home office, and so on.

When you meet with most builders, they will show you a huge selection of existing stock plans that meet your basic requirements. While that may sound convenient, it does have its drawbacks.

Having so many options can actually be overwhelming and frustrating. You flip through plan after plan that are close, but not exactly what you are really looking for. After looking at dozens or even hundreds of stock plans, you give up and settle for the next best thing that almost matches what you had in mind.

But what if you didn’t have to settle?

After all, shouldn’t your “dream home” match your dream?

To help that dream become a reality, here are 4 Reasons Why You Should Choose a Custom Home Design Over a Stock Floor Plan.

#1 Your Unique Needs

No one else’s lifestyle is identical to yours. A generic floor plan will almost certainly not meet the specific individual needs of you or your family. And the more unique those needs are, the more important customization becomes.

Important considerations that demonstrate why a custom home design might be the right choice for you include:

  • You have a large family — This affects more than just the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. You might also need larger living and dining areas, wider hallways, a bigger garage, expanded laundry space, a high-capacity kitchen, and more closets and storage than is typical.
  • Younger versus older children — An open floor plan that allows easy supervision might be the best option if you have young children, while older kids or young adults have a greater need for privacy. And while your younger children might like a playroom, older ones want bigger bedrooms.
  • Elderly or special-needs family members — Properly equipping a home for someone with physical challenges often requires several design modifications — wheelchair ramps, wider hallways and door openings, handrails, accessible bathrooms, lower countertops and cabinets, and special flooring, for example.
  • You entertain often — If you like to throw parties and have friends over, you might need a larger living area than would be typical for just your family. Frequent entertaining also necessitates a bigger-than-normal kitchen and more pantry space.
  • You work from home — The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we work, making a private home office a greater necessity than ever. A stock floor plan might not include the features you need for your ideal workspace — soundproofing, storage, premium lighting, extra electrical outlets, etc.

With just these few examples, you can clearly see how your lifestyle is the biggest factor that should determine the design of your home. 

Instead of wasting time and getting frustrated  by generic floor plans that do not fit your unique lifestyle, find the right Dallas home builder who will listen and create a custom home plan with your needs in mind.

#2  You Might Save Serious Money

It is true that using a stock floor plan is generally less expensive in the beginning than having a custom home design created and constructed. But those savings start to rapidly evaporate if you need to make extensive modifications.

Matt Clancy, Director of Sales at eCommerce, says, “Oftentimes, it costs more than the plan itself.”

Making major changes to an existing floor plan may mean that your home builder has to temporarily bring in an architect on a cost-inefficient hourly basis. In general, modified ready-to-build house plans can run 1.25% of the total value of the home or more.

Then there are the risks associated with “redlining”. As the name implies, this is when modifications are made by making red marks on the plan.

Problems can arise during construction, however, because the builder — the person you mainly deal with — will typically have the main working copy of the house plan, while the subcontractors will have their own copies. If a quick redline change is made on the builder’s main copy, and it is not communicated or transcribed properly on each of the subcontractors’ copies, the result can be expensive mistakes and delays.

As Clancy warns, “(Redling) can be very costly to the homeowner.”

On the other hand, customized home plans are formally drawn up exactly to specifications. Everyone receives identical copies, reducing the likelihood of human error.

Another advantage to opting for a custom home design is you can also include the services of the architect who created the plan. While they may not normally show up on-site when frequently-used stock house plans are being used, architects often oversee custom home construction projects.

#3 You Home Can Match the Land

The land you decide to build on will largely determine the best plans for your home. The old phrase, “location, location, location” is especially apropos here in the Dallas area.

For example, if you have purchased a lot in the Belmont Conservation District, the Homeowner’s Association may place limits on the style of home you can build.

In a case like this, your best bet might be to go with an existing stock floor plan.

On the other hand, if you want to build your custom home in a more rural or scenic area, you are freer to choose a more customized home design. After all, if you own land south of Dallas along the Texas Bluebonnet Trail, or you decide to go west of Fort Worth and live among the peach trees in Weatherford, you will want a custom home that complements the natural local beauty.

#4 Your Home Can Truly Be One-of-a-Kind

Why do you want to build a home in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington? It’s probably not because you want a house that is just like everybody else’s. And yet, that is exactly what happens in too many neighborhoods.

“Many of these houses were the same, and many were completely identical to each other because they were being built by a single developer. At the time, it was criticized for wasting land and all looking the same,” says Richard Mohler, Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Washington.

If you hate the idea of living in a boring cookie-cutter home, opting for a custom design over a stock plan gives you the opportunity to build a home that fits your personality and interests.

The Bottom Line: Custom Design versus Stock Floor Plan

At the end of the day, you build your home for yourself. While resale value will always be a consideration, the most important thing is the enjoyment you and your family get out of living there.

And because your home is an extension of your personality, you can never go wrong when you choose a custom design instead of a stock home plan.

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Is an Open Floor Plan Right for Your Custom Home?

“In the past, we used to see more enclosed spaces. And (lately) people have been opening it up and doing more open floor plans in general. Now that we’re faced with the reality that we do have to use our homes as our working places as well, we have to be mindful of that and create the best of the interior, where function is just as important as the aesthetic.”

~ Oksana Kreiman, Interior Designer

One of the first steps in the process of building a custom home in Dallas is deciding on the right floor plan for your family and your lifestyle. For the past 70 years, one of the most popular styles in new home construction has been the open floor plan.

But what does that mean, exactly?

And more importantly, is an open floor plan still the best fit in 2021 and beyond?

The pandemic has changed how we view and use our homes, blurring the lines between home life and work life, aesthetics and function, and even indoors and outdoors. Now more than ever, we expect – or even DEMAND – that our homes meet all of our needs.

To that end, we are going to take a closer look at what an open floor plan is, and the Pros and Cons you should consider. This way, you will be better informed and can make your dream home a reality.

First Things First — What is an Open Floor Plan?

Prior to World War II, most rooms were single-function and separated by walls. For example, the kitchen, dining, and living areas were each individual rooms within the home, and there was little-to-no interaction between them. Even common or entertaining spaces were separate from other rooms.

Post-war improvements in materials and design made it possible to change all that. Interior load-bearing walls could be replaced with heavy-duty beams, thereby opening up the common areas and forming a “great room”.

Private areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and home offices still follow the traditional closed-off design. With an open floor plan, you literally get the best of both worlds.

The Benefits of an Open Floor Plan

“(Open floor plans are) definitely more desirable for most buyers. I’d say about 90% of buyers want some sort of open floor plan in their house.”

~ Andrew Dellavecchia, Real Estate Professional

There are many good reasons why open floor plans are so popular among both buyers and those who are building a custom home.

PRO: More Room for the Size

With fewer partition walls, you can enjoy more room on the interior of your home without having to actually pay for a larger house. You make maximum use of the space you have.

PRO: Higher Resale Value

According to Realtor.com, a home with an open floor plan has an annual appreciation rate of 7.4%. That places it above other “premium features” such as a patio (6.8%), hardwood floors (5.7%), a fireplace (5.3%), or granite countertops (2.5%).

PRO: Flexibility

Because the kitchen flows into the dining area and because the dining area flows into the living area, there are no hard-and-fast limitations as to how you can use the interior of your home. If you want to make a change, all you have to do is rearrange your furniture and decorations.

PRO: More Interaction and Engagement

With an open floor plan, you are not cut off from family and friends just because you are in another room. For example, while you are preparing dinner in the kitchen, you can still keep an eye on your children as they play in the living room. In an open concept home, the family can be together, even when each person is busy doing their own thing.

PRO: Better Traffic Flow

Without walls and doors to get in the way, you and your family can move around your home easier. This is an especially-important consideration if you have a large family.

PRO: Shared Light

Again, the lack of walls means that light is not blocked inside your home. Instead of independently lighting an individual closed-off room, the windows in an open-floor plan home work together to increase the amount of health-boosting natural light.

PRO: Better Air Flow

With an open floor plan, the common areas of your home will not feel cramped or stuffy. Because there are no obstacles, air can circulate more freely.

The Drawbacks of an Open Floor Plan

“The thought was that an open and informal plan would create a sense of ease, but people are realizing that it also means everything has to be organized, or else the house can quickly feel cluttered.”

~ Andrew Cogar, President of Historical Concepts Architectural Firm

Despite the many advantages, there are nonetheless other considerations that you should be aware of.

CON: Higher Construction Costs

Because there are fewer load-bearing walls, contractors have to use more-expensive heavy-duty beams to support the roof and any upper levels. This could make a real difference in the final cost of your custom home.

CON: More Expensive to Heat and Cool Your Home

The typical open-concept home has high ceilings and large windows, making it much harder to keep heating and cooling costs down. On the contrary, traditional floor plans let you heat or cool individual rooms as needed. This is a major consideration in the Dallas-fort Worth area, where the summers are long and hot.

CON: Less Privacy

While an open floor plan promotes greater social interaction, it does make it harder to find a quiet space for studying or reading, unless you want to retreat to your office or bedroom.

CON: Noise Control

Without walls to block and absorb sound, a home with an open floor plan tends to be much noisier. This can be a nuisance if you are trying to relax, work, or have a conversation.

CON: Less Wall Space

The lack of partition walls means you will have fewer places to hang artwork, decorations, awards, and family pictures.

CON: Fewer Electrical Outlets

In the same way, fewer walls means fewer places to install electrical outlets. This can somewhat limit where you can place your electrical devices within your home.

CON: Harder to Keep Neat

While you might think that having a large open area makes it easier to keep clean, the opposite is often true. Because you can see everything at once, the common areas can quickly appear cluttered if you do not constantly keep them clean and organized. In an open concept home, organization is a must.

The Bottom line About an Open Floor Plan in Your Custom Home

As evidenced by their enduring popularity, many home buyers and builders prefer open floor plans. Although there are drawbacks, they are generally outweighed by the many positives. The best way to maximize your options and truly have the custom home of your dreams is to discuss the available open floor plan designs with your building team.

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Building Your Custom Home with Privacy in Mind

There are a lot of things to consider when building a custom home in Dallas — who to hire, the building materials you will use, eco-friendliness, the number and sizes of rooms, the amenities you want to include, and so on. But what is often overlooked is a design consideration that can mean all the difference when it comes to feeling comfortable and secure in your own home — privacy.

According to Realtor.com, 65% of owners say it is important to have a home that provides personal privacy. Yet 21% admit that they are not satisfied with their current home’s level of privacy. In other words, a significant number of people want, but cannot find, existing homes that meet their need for privacy.

Jeremy Burbank, the Vice-President at the Demand Institute, says, “The lack of privacy is more pronounced among younger households who live in cities and close-in suburbs.” That description certainly fits Dallas and some of the nearby communities. 

Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary away from the world, where you can escape from the constant noise and hustle and bustle of a busy metro like Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington. You want to keep the outside world from intruding and spoiling your peace, and you want to know what happens in your home stays in your home.

But there is also a need for privacy within the home, so you can separate the public and private spaces. For example, when you have guests over, you do not want the entertaining areas to encroach on private areas like family bedrooms or your home office.

With that need in mind, let us take a closer look at some of the things you and your contractors can do to build your custom home with privacy in mind.

Location, Location, Location

It is an old adage because it is completely true. 

In terms of privacy, peace, and quiet, where you build is just as important as how you build. For example, according to D Magazine, a Department of Transportation “noise map” found that the areas around Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Love Field, and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base west of Fort Worth are the noisiest local neighborhoods.

How noisy?

Anyone unlucky enough to live nearby could potentially have to endure over 80 decibels every day, multiple times a day. To put that in perspective, that is roughly the equivalent of the noise produced by a garbage disposal. Neighborhoods near major highways are also to be avoided due to noise pollution. Busy traffic can produce up to 70 decibels, about the same as a vacuum cleaner.

To help you determine which DFW neighborhoods are most-affected by transportation noises, use this interactive map, created by the DOT.

But you have to consider more than just airports and highways, because sometimes, the trouble comes from the neighbors. For example, one neighborhood in West Oak Cliff  generated 320 noise complaints in just one year.

Keep in mind that the noise level of your home can also be affected by proximity to construction, railways, schools, sporting events, entertainment venues, certain types of businesses, and, of course, your neighbors.

There is good news, however, if you are looking at building a custom home within Dallas city limits, because local officials are trying to crack down on excessive noise.

All this means that you have to choose your build site carefully, and may even need to consider smaller nearby suburban cities or even more rural areas.

Soundproofing Solutions

After you have picked as quiet a location as possible, the next-best way to keep the noise level down in your home is to employ any or all of several different soundproofing options during construction:

  • Acoustic Panels — These sound-deadening panels are installed on your interior walls, not under them, and come in different thicknesses. Just one inch is sufficient to stop the noise of a train.
  • Floating Hardwood Floor — Sound penetration is reduced by the gap between the subfloor and the actual floor.
  • Carpet, Rugs, and Padding — Reducing vibration lessens sound transference.
  • Solid-Core or Insulated Doors — By installing solid-core wooden doors or doors with insulated foam cores on both the exterior and the interior, you will see a drastic reduction in noise.
  • Window Upgrades — Did you know that windows are typically the biggest culprit in your home when it comes to noise transmission? Triple panes, gas fillings, foam insulating within the window frame, bulb seal seats for the glass, and even the caulking makes a world of difference. Also, the materials matter, because wooden, vinyl, and fiberglass windows conduct far less sound than windows made of aluminum.
  • Wall Insulation — Spray foam insulation works best for dampening airborne noise, while fiberglass insulation is superior for impact noise.

Thinking Outside the Box

If privacy is one of your top priorities in your new custom home, you will definitely want to discuss this with your builder. There are sure to be house plans that satisfy your desire for privacy, although finding your ideal solution may mean looking at other-than traditional designs.

For example, one innovative idea may be to build your custom home with no ground-level windows facing the street. While you might expect that to lead to a darkened interior, you can compensate by adding a bank of extra-large windows in the back of the home. You could also increase the amount of natural light with the installation of a skylight, clerestory windows, or reflective solar tubing.  

And that is just one option. If you can be creative, you will find multiple ways to increase the privacy level of your home, while still showcasing your sense of style. 

Looking at the Layout

The floor plan of your home matters a great deal when it comes to privacy, from both guests and visitors and from other family members. While many of the noise-proofing measures reduce sound transference within the home, the right physical layout also helps prevent intrusions into private areas.

For example, family bedrooms or private offices should not be immediately adjacent to or accessible from public or entertaining areas like the living room. Instead, there should be some kind of buffer between the two. In a single-story home, this could be a guest bathroom or bedroom, while in a multi-level home, all the private family bedrooms could be placed upstairs.

Another way to promote privacy within your home is to have more bathrooms than bedrooms. If possible, each individual family bedroom should have a bathroom, and there should be an extra bathroom — or even a half-bath — for guests, near the public areas of the house.

Not only does this keep the personal area undisturbed, it also increases the resale value of your home.

Planning with Plants

Believe it or not, one of the best ways to protect your privacy at home is through strategic landscaping. In fact, you get the best of both worlds — privacy and natural beauty.

 Some suggestions:

  • Privacy Hedges — These are fast-growing evergreens that help seclude your property. Popular varieties include cherry laurel, box hedging, holly, and privet.
  • Trees — Mature trees provide privacy, beauty, shade, and can form a natural fence boundary around your home. Consider species such as Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae, Willow, Leyland Cypress, Eastern White Pine, or Paper Birch.
  • Climbers — Climbing vines can take your landscaping in a whole new direction as it covers fences and walls. And because many climbers are also flowering plants, they add a splash of color to your yard. Among the top choices are clematis, wisteria, trumpet vine, and climbing roses and  hydrangeas.

Finish with Fencing and Walls

For the ultimate in outdoor privacy, it is hard to beat a quality fence or wall. 

Most backyard privacy fences are  6 or 8 feet tall and are made of wood or vinyl. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Wooden fences — usually pine or red cedar — can be stained or painted any color, allowing you to create any look you can imagine. In the event of damage, you can purchase individual panels and pickets at any home improvement store, which means repairs are simple and inexpensive. 

On the downside, wooden fences require regular maintenance. An untreated wooden fence quickly fades and becomes an eyesore. Without that protective treatment, the wood is also susceptible to warping and rot.

Vinyl fences are made to be virtually maintenance-free. They do not rot and they do not require seasonal treatment.

On the other hand, low-quality vinyl fences are subject to UV degradation. In extreme temperatures, they can warp or become brittle. Color options are limited, and they cannot be painted.

Although they are considerably more expensive than fencing, boundary walls made from brick or stone protect your privacy, provide security, and give your home a stately appearance.  These walls are completely maintenance-free, resistant to the elements, and impervious to incidental damage.

Besides the price, the biggest drawback to stone and brick walls is the need for structural support limits their height. Taller fences might need to use a veneer, rather than the real thing.

The Bottom Line About Building for Privacy

As you can see, there is no one measure you can take to ensure your complete privacy in your custom home. It takes planning and coordination to employ several methods that complement each other, allowing you to enjoy peace and quiet, security, and privacy without sacrificing aesthetic appeal or function.

***Have questions or comments? Let us know below!***

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The Bottom Line on Windows in Your Custom Home

When most people plan their dream home, they simply do not put enough thought into their windows. While they might care about the basics — the number of windows, for example — they neglect other important considerations that can make a huge difference in their long-term satisfaction.

That explains why over 60% of new windows are used in replacement remodeling projects, rather than new construction. But as any builder will tell you, it is always better — and less expensive — to do it right the first time.

To that end, let’s take a quick look at some of the things you should keep in mind about the windows in your Dallas custom home.

Materials Matter

Windows can be constructed from several different materials, each with their own advantages and disadvantages:

Wood — Most typically made from Pine, Fir, Knotty Adler, or Mahogany

Pros

  • Versatile, easiest to customize
  • Natural, eco-friendly
  • Woodgrain patterns create unique beauty 
  • Can be painted or stained any color
  • Excellent thermal performance

Cons

Wood Clad — The exterior of the wooden window is covered in another material, usually vinyl or aluminum.

Pros

  • Customizable
  • Interior/Exterior dual color options
  • Energy efficiency

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Not available with most manufacturers
  • The exterior cladding can separate from the wood interior

Aluminum 

Pros

  • Least expensive
  • Resistant to corrosion, warping, and swelling
  • Low maintenance
  •  Slimmer frame profile allows more glass
  • Available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes

Cons

  • Condensation-prone
  • Worst thermal performance

NOTE: The thermal rating of most basic aluminum windows is so poor that they do not meet the minimum energy codes required in North Texas.

Vinyl — Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC — a type of plastic

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Resistant to corrosion, warping, and rotting
  • Extremely low maintenance
  • Very energy-efficient
  • Recyclable

Cons

  • Limited color options
  • Lower-grade vinyl windows are susceptible to UV degradation
  • Because vinyl is not especially strong, frames and sashes can be comparatively bulky.

Fiberglass — A composite material of glass fibers and plastic polymer.

Pros

  • Very strong — up to 10 times stronger than vinyl
  • Excellent thermal performance — 500 times less conductive than aluminum
  • Takes less energy to manufacture than vinyl or aluminum
  • Extremely low maintenance
  • Able to withstand temperature extremes from -40 degrees to 350 degrees
  • Paintable
  • Thin frame and sash profiles allow for more glass

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Not available through all manufacturers
  • Requires very strict safety precautions during installation

Composite — The windows are made of two or more materials, such as resins and wood particles.

Every manufacturer that produces composite windows uses their own proprietary mixture, and as a result, the quality and performance can vary widely.

Glass and Gas

Because most of your window opening is glass, that glass package is the biggest factor determining how good the thermal performance of your window really is. Most people think that merely having a “double-paned” window is enough, but here’s the thing — “double-paned” does NOT mean “energy efficient”…it only means that there are two pieces of glass.

In DFW, always look for soft-coat low-emissivity (low-e) glass. This special glass is coated with a microscopic layer of metallic oxide which helps reduce heat loss during the winter and helps reduce heat gain during the winter, cutting each by up to 50%.

In top-quality energy-efficient windows, low-e is an important feature of an insulated glass package, where the window panes never directly touch the frame. Instead, each of the double (or even triple) panes is seated in a non-conductive bulb seal that prevents thermal transference and creates a closed air space.

The air in that closed space is then removed and replaced with a heavier-than-air gas, typically argon or krypton. This further slows down any thermal transference through the glass itself. A low-e, gas-filled, insulated glass package also helps prevent frost buildup or condensation between the panes.

Deciphering Window Ratings

Because you will hear a lot of lettered values thrown around when discussing windows, it is very easy to get a bit confused. But the National Fenestration Rating Council has standardized four values that determine energy efficiency.

  • U-Factor — Measures how well a window keeps heat in. The lower the value is, the better the window’s performance is. According to the International Energy Conservation Code, the U-Factor for a window in the Dallas-Fort Worth area should not exceed .32.
  • Solar Heat Gain Coefficient — Measures how well a window keeps heat out.  Again, the lower the SHGC is, the better. According to the IECC, the SHGC for a window in the Dallas-Fort Worth area should not exceed .25.
  • Visible Transmittance — This value shows how much natural light passes through the window. The higher the number, the less you may need to rely on artificial lighting. In the DFW region, the best windows will have a VT rating of .60 or greater.

***FUN FACT: Artificial lighting uses 15% of all the electricity in the United States***

  • Air Leakage — This value tells you how much air comes through the window when it is closed. Obviously, you want to look for the lowest number possible.

To make it easier to determine the type of windows that are best for your custom DFW home, the NFRC created this Window Selection Tool. After you have decided the type of window you need, you can find the specific manufacturers by referring to the NFRC’s Certified Products Directory.

What are the Hottest Window Trends for Dallas Custom Homes in 2021?

The pandemic changed the way most of us look at our homes, highlighting the fact that we need and expect more from our homes than ever before. How does that translate to what we want out of our windows?

Energy Efficiency

First, there is the aforementioned energy efficiency. Because we are spending more time at home, we want to be comfortable, no matter what the weather is like outside. And because heating and cooling costs are always rising, we also like the idea of saving money.

How much money?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat loss and gain through windows accounts for up to 30% of a home’s  heating and cooling bills.

Larger Windows

Next, the idea that bigger is better now includes windows. Homeowners are requesting wider, taller windows and choosing the largest styles available. For example, while a traditional double-hung window may max out at 48 inches wide by 72 inches tall, opting for a fixed casement window means that maximum size can grow to an immense 72 inches wide by 80 inches tall.

Blurring the Lines

Homeowners are maximizing their space by erasing the rigid boundaries between the indoors and the outdoors. For example, instead of installing a boring bank of hung or picture windows, homeowners can instead open things up and choose a single large sliding window.

Not only does this make the opening a convenient pass-through to the outside, opting for one window lets more natural light into the home.

***FUN FACT: Exposure to natural light has several proven health benefits.

Accessibility

When designing their custom home, Dallas owners want it all — energy efficiency and savings, comfort, more natural light, versatility, and of course, convenience.

Advances in window and hardware technology make it easier for anyone within the home to operate its windows — the elderly, the physically challenged, and even small children. 

For example, earlier this year, Pella introduced the innovative and patent-pending Easy Slide Operator, which makes opening and closing awning and casement windows as easy as using a dimmer switch. Instead of time-consuming and possibly-difficult cranking, users can slide the window into the desired position.

The Bottom Line About the Windows in Your Custom Dallas Home

In some ways, choosing to install top-quality windows while building your custom Dallas home is an almost-foolproof decision. According to Remodeling, 65% of what is spent on a window installation is recouped as added resale value. That is on top of the energy savings enjoyed month in and month out.

And when you factor in the other benefits — added comfort, convenience, natural light, and ease-of-use — it’s easy to see why windows are worth a second look.

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Top 3 Custom Bathroom Trends in 2021

When you build a custom home in Dallas, you want it to reflect your taste and personality. But too many homeowners neglect to apply that same vision to the most personal room of all — the bathroom. As a result, they often settle for a bland, cookie-cutter design that is just like everyone else’s.

Not putting enough thought into your bathroom can leave you disappointed and may even cost you money in the future. For example, something as simple as having the right number of full bathrooms in your home can affect the value of your home by as much as 20%.

That’s not surprising, because bathroom renovations are the most-popular remodeling project, favored by 81% of homeowners. 

To help you stay out of that rut, here are the hottest current bathroom trends. We hope they inspire you to build your dream custom bathroom that is anything but boring.

Larger Showers and Bathtubs

Now more than ever, people want their homes to be a source of peace and serenity, and where better to find that than in your own private spa? That’s why so many people are opting for luxurious bathing choices such as:

  • Oversized Free-Standing Bathtubs — There is nothing more relaxing than a hot soak in a bathtub that is actually big enough for you. With a standard alcove-style tub, that is just not possible.

The difference in size can be very significant:

A standard tub measures 60 inches long by 30 inches wide by 16 inches deep.

A large stand-alone tub, such as this one by Badeloft is 75 inches wide by 47 inches wide by 23 inches deep.

Best of all, as the name implies, these tubs can be installed anywhere, giving you more design possibilities for your bathroom.

  • Luxury Walk-In Showers — A walk-shower creates a sense of elegance, eschewing a tiny, cramped area for space and freedom.

A standard shower stall can be as small as 30 inches by 30 inches.

A pre-made shower enclosure, such as this one from DreamLine, can be up to 72 inches long by 34 inches wide.

And that’s just a prefabricated option. If you go completely custom, your walk-in shower can be any size, with such luxury features as designer stone tile, bench seating, high-end fixtures, lighting, and even a sound system.

Smart Tech

We live in an age where connectivity equals convenience. We already use smart technology to control lighting, to keep our homes comfortable, to provide security, and in general, make our lives easier. According to a December 2020 survey, 57% of U.S. households already have at least one smart device, and over 80 million households intend to buy a new smart device within a year.

With those statistics in mind, it’s not surprising that people want to incorporate smart technology in their custom bathrooms:

  • Smart Toilets: Smart toilets are the most-desired feature in bathroom renovations or new construction. Although they can have a purchase price that runs into the thousands, the value you receive for that initial investment soon becomes apparent. Smart toilet features include:
  • Seat warmers
  • Night lights
  • Touch-free automatic lids
  • Bluetooth speakers
  • Water-level detectors — Since this feature can help prevent overflows, it may even save you money on your homeowner’s insurance.
  • Self-cleaning options
  • Health monitoring and disease detection
  • Smart Faucets and Showers: The main benefits of this smart bathroom tech are safer and more consistent water flow and temperature, energy and water savings, and the ability to conveniently control your shower remotely, via a connected device. One brand claims that it can cut your shower water usage in half. 

Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating — also called radiant floor heating — is an extremely popular choice for new bathrooms. In fact, radiant floor heating increases a home’s value by over 3%.

More energy-efficient than traditional heating systems, radiant floor heating keeps your feet warm through the use of thermal radiation from electric heating pads or heated water pipes. Compared to radiators or wall units, underfloor heating has several advantages:

  • The warmth is felt sooner
  • Controlled temperature
  • Uses less electricity
  • Cleaner — Because it is not a forced-air system, it does not circulate dust and allergens.
  • Suitable for installation under any flooring type

Depending on the type of system, radiant floor heating costs between $5 and $12 per square foot.

Choosing the Custom Bathroom That’s Right for You

Bathrooms no longer have to be spartan, utilitarian rooms used solely for bathing and necessities. Today, your custom bathroom can be a private oasis where you can escape and unwind from all of life’s stresses. Because you spend so much time in the bathroom, it only makes sense that you are as comfortable as possible while you are there.

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