Real Estate News: The most extraordinary living trends this year

Biophilic Design 

The biophilic school of thought acknowledges that humans need to be surrounded by nature for their physical and mental wellbeing. The biophilic interior design aspires to reconnect us with the outdoors and optimize its healing properties, placing great emphasis on sunlit spaces, rough-hewn wood, natural stone, and the innovative use of verdant plant life and water features. Aromatherapy and Reiki centers also align with biophilic principles, as do gyms and swimming pools.

Outdoor Living Spaces

This year, the imbalance between indoor and outdoor living is being redressed, as home design increasingly focuses on promoting open-air living. Tennis courts and swimming pools have always been popular, but are now combined with outdoor showers and comfortable lounge areas to ensure that residents have everything they need outside the house. Families with pets are extending the same courtesies to their cats and dogs, installing private exercise courses and dedicated wash stations.

Subterranean Garages 

Solving the problem of the multiple-car household with limited parking space, subterranean garages can now be found in high-end homes around the world. With car lifts, temperature controls, audiovisual monitoring, and advanced security features including number-plate recognition, these ultra-modern garages make driving simpler, more comfortable, and more secure. Famous real estate agents can help you acquire luxury mansions for sale that possess this feature.

Redefined Storage

Rooms traditionally relegated to being used as storage areas are now being fully realized as functional and important spaces. Basements can be converted into dine-in wine cellars, complete with ventilation systems and mood lighting. Kitchens are undergoing major redesigns to provide designated places for each gadget and appliance, with separate stations for food preparation, cooking, informal dining, and washing up. 

Energy Efficiency

Once considered a thoughtful addition, energy efficiency has quickly become an essential feature for contemporary high-end homes. Motion-sensor water and light are ubiquitous in environmentally aware households, and investors will carefully consider whether a property’s orientation lends itself to effective solar panel electricity generation. Smart home systems allow homeowners to control irrigation, lighting, heat, and security via a touch-screen pad installed in the walls, minimizing waste and maximizing comfort.

With a portfolio of luxury real estate that extends around the world, Engel & Völkers will be delighted to assist you in finding a home that encapsulates the best trends of 2015. The best online estate agents and real estate agents near you are also available and ready to consult for you.