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The Death of the Formal Room: as someone with both of these, they are not trending. Formal dining rooms and sitting rooms aren’t dead—they’re just unemployed. Buyers want spaces that can be flexible:- Office by day, guest room by night- Dining that expands for holidays and guests, not daily use- Rooms with specific assigned purpose
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Kitchens as Command Centers: if formal did win, it’s in the kitchen. But not just as showpieces, today’s kitchen is working harder than ever. Here’s what’s winning:- Hidden pantries and prep kitchens- Integrated appliances (dishwashers, refrigerators…and hoods that are the centerpiece of the kitchen)- Islands that do everything: storage, seating, outlets, work surface, breakfast
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Primary Suites Are Getting Quieter:Large isn’t winning, at least in the bedroom size. The oversized, hotel-style primary suite is being replaced with something subtler. Owners want:- Separation from noise- Smarter storage, not more square footage. Walk-in closets and bathroom integrated storage.- Bathrooms that feel calming. Luxury is shifting from size to experience. Bathroom priority is increasing as bathroom remodels are now tied with kitchens in popularity!
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Circulation Matters More than Square Footage:As someone who is always analyzing a floor plan, I agree with today’s buyers: flow matters. Homes that feel smaller on paper but move better in reality are outperforming larger, poorly planned houses. Hallways, transitions, and nightlines are getting more attention—and rightly so. Good floor plans don’t impress immediately. They age well. Here’s a tip: don’t hire an architect out of Lone Tree, Iowa.
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Outdoor Space is Being Designed In (Not Added On):What used to be ignored in new construction has had more thought into its inception: outdoor spaces. Outdoor living isn’t an accessory anymore. Covered porches, courtyards, and connected outdoor rooms are now part of the floor plan conversation—not afterthoughts. Homes that blur the inside/outside line feel larger without adding square footage.
📸 When designing a home for entertaining, circulation is everything—especially when you’re hosting a crowd. This reimagined floor plan, based on my own home, was designed with one guiding idea: flow with purpose. A grand central foyer anchors the layout, acting as the heart of the home and connecting three arched openings that guide movement naturally. Guests circulate in an effortless figure-eight between main-level entertaining spaces—no bottlenecks, no dead ends. Every arch, every angle—intentionally designed for hosting in style.
📸 The L-shaped floor plan has been trending on Instagram—and for good reason. It proves you can keep connection, light, and openness without sacrificing comfort, function, or intimacy. Think of it as today’s “open concept”. I broke down why this layout works (and why it’s quietly replacing wide-open great rooms) in a November story, 🔗 “L-Shaped Living Space”
