By Alan Suderman
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

More and more homeowners are saying “so long” to second floors.

Recently the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey found an increase in demand for single-level homes, which provide greater accessibility and are generally more cost-effective—benefits that appeal to busy people of every age.

“Homeowners are looking to use their homes differently from previous generations and therefore are looking for different layouts,” says AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker. “At the top of the list is the desire for greater accessibility around the home in terms of wider hallways and fewer steps, as well as single-floor designs.”

New homes are also moving away from the boxy rooms, narrow hallways, and divorced living and dining rooms of years past in favor of larger, more flexible spaces. In fact, 67% of firms surveyed by the AIA reported that more floor plans are being designed to include multifunctional space.

Staying on top of design trends
As the Houston area’s premier retirement destination, Eagle’s Trace is on pace with all the latest design trends. Each apartment home at the community is airy, spacious, fluid—and on a single level.

“We’ve reached a point in life where we don’t like stairs,” says Eagle’s Trace resident Bill McNatt. “It’s much easier having everything on one level.”

People who live at the community say they appreciate not having to trudge upstairs with the vacuum to clean a rarely used second floor.

“Why pay to heat and air condition space in your house that you never use?” asks Eagle’s Trace Retirement Counselor Tami Jensen.

Many Americans have been asking this same question, which has translated into design shifts nationwide. Baker says, “Rising home energy costs and concerns over affordability are resulting in a decrease in interior space…Many households are finding that improved use of existing space reduces the need for additional square footage.”