In recent years, the home builder industry has seen an exciting evolution, trending toward more refined definitions of the “ultimate family home.” With these shifts, designers and homeowners are embracing expanded functionality and new conceptions of luxury, inspired by living well, treating the planet with respect, and involving the local community and culture in any way possible. 

Following this year’s International Builders’ Show in Vegas, we asked a few of the nation’s most successful home builders and residential designers to provide their expert insight into the top trends to watch in 2025 and beyond. Their recent projects demonstrate the power of design to make life a little easier, and simplify home upkeep, all while letting homeowners’ spaces reflect their lifestyles, preferences, and the local color.

With an eye to the future, we take a closer look at how homeowners are living now. “Flex” or multipurpose spaces continue to be key, especially for remote employees, but also for hosting guests or at-home movie nights. Designated media rooms provide entertainment zones for unwinding and relaxing together, and lofts or landings become indoor balcony spots for lounging and connecting with loved ones while overlooking spacious main levels.

Kitchen layouts are also getting multifunctional updates. Several years ago, Schumacher Homes started reporting on the rise of “messy kitchens,” or a modern take on the butler’s pantry. These tucked-away prep spaces allow open-concept kitchens to be reserved for uncluttered gathering spaces, and these kitchen configurations continue to be a favorite among many homeowners. 

KLO Design + Build’s recent collaboration with Pickett Construction is a standout example of how storage design continues to evolve, with a mix of closed cabinets and open shelving creating a modern sense of practicality alongside modern appliances in the kitchen, a clean aesthetic with subtle folk influences in the mudroom, and a designated dog dish station in the laundry room of a recent build in Crane Island, Florida.

John Becker, Director of New Product at Schumacher Homes, identifies a few notable materials trends that provide a top-to-bottom picture of what homeowners are asking for of custom home builders. For floors, the classic look of wood meets the most cutting-edge materials technology in the form of engineered wood flooring, with its core of durable plywood or high-density fiberboard topped with a layer of wood veneer for the look of real wood with added stability and savings.

In kitchens, bathrooms, and home bars, quartz countertops are continuing to have their moment to shine—and with good reason. “Quartz countertops offer versatility in terms of style,” says Becker. “If you prefer a nontraditional countertop color, quartz might be the best choice. Adding pigments means quartz countertops are available in numerous colors and patterns.”

He says that another popular use of this material is to have it finished to mimic the texture and appearance of natural wood without the added upkeep associated with butcher block. “Quartz is nonporous and never needs sealing to prevent kitchen and bathroom stains; and it’s perfect for at-home chefs who like to chop vegetables directly on the counter. It’s a virtually indestructible mineral.” 

As for ceilings, Becker says that the new era of modern woodwork details is here to stay. “Wood is a classic ceiling material that stands the test of time,” he says, remarking that the more ornate styles of the past have been replaced by sleek, boardwalk-style beams this year. “Beyond its aesthetic appeal, a wooden ceiling is an excellent insulator, keeping interiors warm during fall and winter and preventing conditioned air from escaping during spring and summer.”

Wood is a beloved choice for material-drenching, harking back to iconic design styles of the 1960s and 1970s but with a modern update. “Exposed wood beams are expected to remain popular, especially in more relaxed rustic homes,” Becker says. “Painting the beams to match ceiling color gives texture and dimension with a softer, fresher take on an enduring trend.”

According to Lee Ross, Principal and Design Liaison at award-winning custom builder Ross Built Custom Homes, no matter what the material may be, nothing matters more in a new residential home than durability—whether in time-tested materials, time-honored craftsmanship, and looks that will last. “We seek out products that will stand the test of time,” Ross says. “We put a high level of focus on roofing, siding, decking, doors, windows, and—of course—paint! Sherwin-Williams has been our go-to paint for almost 20 years. We hear a good bit of comments on our curb appeal; the materiality and paint are a big part of this.”

For both paint and the entire range of coatings provided through Full Spectrum Possibilities, the changes in color trends and consumer preferences ripple across applications, materials, and industries, and custom home builders are witnessing these effects with a shift toward warmer colors and away from their cooler-toned counterparts. 

Biophilia continues to influence designs in the new residential market as well. “We are seeing interest in connecting the paint colors to nature,” says Ross. Of a recent project at Jewfish Key, she says this organic connection was especially important to the home’s aesthetic. “The goal was to surround ourselves in the colors you would see if you were walking around the island. This seems to bring a calming and relaxing vibe to the home, as if it sprouted from the ground all on its own.”

And whether inspired by the home’s outdoor surroundings or not, Kathryn Lott of KLO Designs says she sees one constant in color: there is just MORE of it than before. “The need to stay neutral because it’s ‘safe’ has shifted, and we are seeing the use of more color, whether it’s on the cabinets or the walls, trim, or ceiling. People are starting to realize that incorporating color into the hard selections allows them more movement with the spaces, and it individualizes them and gives them personality.”

The age-old maxim for real estate, “location, location, location,” still applies, but with more nuance as the future of the industry unfolds. In the Ross Built Custom Homes project we’re spotlighting, geographic location in Florida was a critical component throughout the designing and building processes—and even in the ultimate success of the project, as it survived two tropical storms before it was even move-in ready.

Lee Ross firmly believes that knowing your location well—and knowing building codes even better—is essential in her area. “The Florida market is tough. The codes are some of the most stringent in the country—and for good reason. We endured Hurricanes Helene and Milton with 12 homes under construction. As a result of the stringent codes, all our homes were fine. Even though all of our homes were underwater from Helene and Milton, they all performed beautifully, and Sherwin-Williams paint had zero issues.”

The local community not only acted as the design’s muse, but community members had a literal impact on the home as well. From local craftspeople to area materials sourcing, to colors and textures inspired by the surrounding island landscape, the home is Jewfish Key, through and through. 

“In the high-end custom market, we love to involve the community; we feel this adds a higher level of personalization and makes all the homes unique. We chose materials smartly, brought in a bunch of local craftspeople to truly customize the home, and worked hard to incorporate colors reminiscent of driftwood, dock planks, wood from a leftover bonfire, seashells, sand, and water.”

To reflect any home’s unique beauty and celebrate its distinct place in the world, it’s essential to select the right materials and products for the project. Explore our complete portfolio with Full Spectrum Possibilities to find the ideal coating for any surface—in any place—every time. 

Top image: Design by Mary DeWalt Design Group. Photo courtesy of Schumacher Homes.