Major homebuilder shares biggest design trends for 2025
Taylor Morrison, one of the top homebuilders in the U.S., shares design predictions for 2025 below:
Inclusive features. Approximately 26 percent of Americans live with a physical disability. In 2025, expect to see more designs, layouts and concepts that create a more inclusive environment and can cater to a variety of needs for any family. Examples include a stepless shower, sensory-friendly materials and fewer hallways throughout the home.
Multi-generational harmony. Whether it's young adults living at home after college or grandparents living with their adult children and grandchildren, many families are looking for homes that can accommodate a range of ages.
Multigenerational housing can allow families to share finances, childcare and even combat loneliness. As multigenerational housing continues to grow in popularity, homebuilders will offer more floorplans and housing options to accommodate this trend, including en-suites, casitas and dedicated secondary living spaces.
Embracing nature. Taylor Morrison says it's focused on the number, size and location of windows to improve indoor-outdoor connectivity. Windows that extend to the floor of a home, in particular, are slated to become more popular.
"In our Houston division, we are working on soon introducing some new designs that offer greater indoor-outdoor connectivity with 160 sq. ft. covered patios becoming a new standard. In comparison, most new construction covered patios are about 100 sq. ft. on average," said Taylor Morrison VP of Product Design Brian Juedes.
'Sensory' design elements. Whether it's the way a house smells with a curated scent coming from a Pure Machine or how the lights turn on, sensory design is making a big impact. Sensory design incorporates both visual and non-visual elements and are meant to activate senses including sight, sound, touch, smell and taste.
"People want their home to reflect the way they live, and design that activates the senses is one way to personalize that experience," said Taylor Morrison Senior Director of National Design Lee Crowder.
Entryway envy. Everyday entries are quickly growing in popularity. These might include a small vestibule or hall and can even include a small alcove for shoes, key drop or a backpack valet.
Additionally, laundry rooms are typically now found on the same floor as the primary suite and can have space for side-by-side appliances, a counter space for folding, a sink and storage.
Clutter cutting. Many homes have excess square footage in their floor plans that goes under-used. In an effort to maximize space, many builders have shrunk floor plans by eliminating excess square footage without changing the function or livability of homes.
In several markets, Taylor Morrison reports it's designing homes with fewer hallways to maximize square footage, reduce energy costs, improve home flow, incorporate more natural light and yield savings on new home construction costs.
"We like to think of this concept as more function per foot. Offering more floor plans with smaller square footage is also a way we are able to tackle affordability as a homebuilder and is growing in popularity with many buyers. In fact, in 2023, Taylor Morrison's top-selling floor plan was a two-story townhome with 1,373 sq. ft.," said Juedes.
Timeless designs endure. Rather than selecting trendy items, many buyers are going with timeless options with a longer trajectory for choices like countertops, cabinets and stained wood.
"Instead of being in a cycle of having to change designs every year, we're able to present timeless elements. Greys and whites were trendy for a while but have quickly come and gone as we are seeing preferences for more earthy wood colors and black and gold finishes," said Crowder.
Farmhouse elevations. Modern farmhouse continues to be a top choice among elevation styles across the country. Additional trending exterior elevations include transitional and soft modern.
"Trends typically begin in California then work their way across the country moving west to east with the Southeast usually last to change. Most recently, we are starting to see farmhouse elevations gain traction in the Southeast region," said Juedes.
