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.

On top of design trends
As the Dallas area’s premier retirement destination, Highland Springs is on pace with all the latest design trends. Apartment homes at the community are airy, spacious, fluid—and on a single level.

Residents say they like not having to trudge with the vacuum cleaner up a flight of stairs to clean rooms on the rarely used second floor.

“We had a second story in our home, but we never used it,” says Highland Springs resident Ted Seloff. “Once the kids left, we hardly went up there.”

“Why pay to heat and air condition space in your house that you never use?” asks Christina Christie, a retirement counselor at the community.