The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has released the Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2012, focused specifically on kitchens and bathrooms.
With the housing market improving over the last year, households are concentrating more on kitchen and bathroom design in general as well as on emerging products used in these areas of the home. There has been an increase in the size and number of kitchens and bathrooms in U.S. homes, after staying relatively flat in recent years.
Residential architects are reporting the best business conditions since 2005 for custom design projects, along with high demand for remodeling and renovation projects.
"Kitchens have reclaimed their place as the true focal point of the home, with a growing emphasis on utilizing more technology," commented AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA.
"There has also been renewed interest in integrating more household activities into this space. Along with a continued need for accessibility within bathrooms, the majority of products that are extremely popular promote energy-efficiency and sustainability, such as LED lighting and water saving toilets."