Texas was lucky in the recession and remained relatively unaffected, at least in comparison to the rest of the nation. Though the real estate market and the building industry may have slowed, even in Texas, it certainly didn’t stop, and there continued to be new homes built in Austin, TX. With the influx of new houses, especially in the Hill Country surrounding the city, Austin is a great place to look for examples of the new trends in homebuilding. Though luxury and aesthetics are certainly a concern, practicality is becoming more important when developing building plans for new homes in Austin, TX.
As the baby boomer generation ages, they begin thinking about retirement and people are beginning to think about what they need if they plan to stay in their homes; aging parents are also moving in with their adult children at a faster rate. To this end, accessibility is becoming an increasing concern. More people are choosing single-story homes, and architects report that grab bars in the bathroom, fewer stairs, and wheelchair ramps are becoming more common requests. Architects speculate that these considerations will only become more prominent in the coming years.
Accessibility is not the only practicality concern. More and more new homes in Austin, TX feature elements that make daily life just a little easier. Garages are getting bigger, but the extra space is not for more or larger cars. Instead, builders are making room for all the items that inevitably get stored in the garage. Perhaps in response to the recession, people are moving away from wasted and extra space. Single purpose rooms such as craft rooms or studies are becoming less popular, and, instead, people are asking their builders to put in resource centers – convenient built in desks to store laptops and pay bills. Builders and architects report a rise in other touches for convenience such as pantries designed to store items bought in bulk, “drop zones” where people can store their keys and cell phones, and easier access to laundry facilities with a growing return to laundry chutes.
Today, it is much more common to see multiple generations living together, either because aging parents have moved in with their adult children or because recent graduates and young adults have moved back in with their parents due to the economy. Because of this, some new homes in Austin, TX feature a separate home-within-a-home with its own kitchenette, bedroom, bathroom, and sitting room.
As the economy continues to improve and lifestyle changes shift, it will be interesting to see how home building trends reflect the changes. One thing is for sure, however, experienced builders of new homes in Austin, TX will keep abreast of the trends and guide you in building a beautiful, practical, up-to-the minute house that will fit all of your personal needs.
Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes have been builders of new homes in Austin, TX for over 34 years. We offer individualized building plans to meet your most specific needs, attention to detail, and a commitment to craftsmanship. We are also dedicated to green building practices, including energy saving features and using sustainable building techniques on every home. For more information, call us at 512-261-0344 or visit our website at
