DESIGN TREND: How to score big with women using small touches
When it comes to buying or building a home, there are certain features everyone wants - comfortability, a fantastic kitchen, two-car garage, spacious bedrooms, beautiful outdoor spaces. But it’s no secret that men and women are different in what appeals to them. Women tend to focus more on the home’s interior and on how well the layout and design serve day-to-day life and functionality for the family. Potential female buyers notice smaller design elements faster than their male counterparts. Here are a few features women have a soft spot for, that also add value to the home:
Storage
From walk-in bedroom closets to efficient kitchen pantries, storage areas in a home should be designed for the specific purpose they’re serving. Upgraded, customizable shelving systems provide a wow factor. Women pay attention to how much vertical and horizontal space there is in storage areas, and whether that storage is an open or closed style. They know which countertop kitchen appliances need to stay out of sight, how big the artificial Christmas tree is, and how much “stuff” needs to be organized for each family member when they walk through the door. Mudrooms or entryways that offer space for smart storage options to house shoes, backpacks, and sporting gear make a huge impact on the home’s functionality and foot traffic. Built-in cabinets in family rooms and living rooms provide ample space for entertainment systems, electronics, books, and photos. Choosing taller kitchen cabinets, especially those that extend all the way to the ceiling, give extra storage space, a streamlined appearance, and eliminate the need to dust the tops. Linen closets with areas large enough to store bulkier sheets, blankets, and comforters are a bonus. Closed storage options in laundry rooms keep the unmentionables hidden from view. Stowing away the everyday clutter is the key to quality home storage.
Kitchen Countertops & Islands
Granite and quartz countertops continue to be the most desired in the kitchen for their striking appearance and durability when cared for properly. While each type has its supporters and detractors for a variety of reasons, both add value and longevity to any kitchen. As more and more people steer away from large dining room tables, kitchen islands also become a focal point of the home. Not only do women love that islands provide a convenient place for eating, but it’s also a homework space for kids or crafts and it’s a natural gathering space for the family or for guests to relax and mingle with their hosts.
Tray Ceilings
Also known as inverted or recessed ceilings, these architectural embellishments feature a center section that is several inches or feet higher than the rest of the ceiling. Tray ceilings, named for their similar appearance to an upside-down tray, provide a different focal point in a room. Often used in bedrooms or dining rooms, tray ceilings draw the eye upward, adding depth and visual interest to the space.
Soft Close Cabinets & Drawers
Say goodbye to spouses and kids slamming cupboard doors and silverware drawers when angry! Soft-close technology uses special hinges and slides in kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers to help them close with a more gentle, automatic ease. Not only will no one hear you getting that midnight snack, but this technology also elevates safety keeping little fingers from accidentally getting slammed in places they don’t belong. It also minimizes the wear and tear on your cabinetry long-term.
Pocket Doors
Pocket doors have made a comeback in the last decade and are sleek and stylish design elements in a home, especially in smaller spaces. Different from sliding barn doors, which have become popular in recent years and remain visible whether open or closed, pocket doors slide inside the wall and essentially disappear when open. Pocket doors are the perfect solution in areas where the arc of a standard door might swing into furniture or take up valuable real estate in a narrower space. The wide variety of styles and designs offer beautiful transitions between bedrooms and bathrooms, make for striking closet and pantry doors, or create lovely gateways into laundry rooms or home offices. The same soft-close technology mentioned earlier is also available in some pocket door models, keeping them from opening and closing too rapidly and slamming into the walls’ recesses. Pocket doors also allow for wider entryways making it easier for older adults to use wheelchairs and walkers when entering and leaving rooms.
Split Layouts
Peace and privacy are the cornerstones of split layout designs where the master suite is separated from the other bedrooms, and even from the common areas of the house. Split layouts like the Sydney Rose are perfect for parents looking for a little quiet while kids continue to play or watch tv in their rooms at night. It’s also a great way for homeowners to maintain privacy, while also offering it to visiting in-laws and guests. Not only do split layouts create more distance from the heaviest foot traffic zones of the house, but floor space is used more efficiently in the overall design of the home. Common spaces can be made larger in split layouts because hallways aren’t being established to separate bedrooms from one another. It allows for a more open concept, often with cathedral ceilings, and gives the home a spacious, airy feel.
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Crown molding
Crown molding is a decorative architectural embellishment that enhances the space where interior walls and ceilings meet, though it can also be used atop doors, windows, and cabinets and to showcase mantels and bookshelves. Often constructed from plaster, wood, or composite materials, crown molding has a particular trim shape that is contoured to fit at an angle. It adds stylized elegance and refinement to a room, especially those with high ceilings where the upper space can feel empty. Whether the design is simple or ornate, crown molding catches the eye and allows you to add a bit more personality and flair to a room.
Shopping for a new home is an exciting adventure for women. When it comes to choosing the right one, they’ll breathe in the finer details that personalize rooms, magnify livability, and create a natural flow in the house. Make the smaller things a part of your design before you sell to grab their attention.
