Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Luxury Home Plans

Just what is a 'luxury' home? It depends on the eye of the homeowner.

While all homes should provide comfort and function, a luxury home surpasses these basic purposes and offers much more flair. In a crowded city, it could mean a classy yet confined space in an exclusive neighborhood. In more spread out areas of the country, it may have sizable square footage and sit on sprawling acres of land. However you envision your new luxurious home to wind up, you've landed at the right place to start the process. The Luxury Home Plans collection from eplans is the premium resource to find the upscale and up-to-date home designs you're looking for.

Latest Trends

Gourmet kitchens, spacious master bedroom and bathrooms, fitness centers, and outdoor kitchen and living areas are not new ideas found in luxury homes, but they are currently being transformed thanks to some fresh thinking. Check out these trends for inspiration.

Home Retreat -- Homes that promote a healthy lifestyle are surging, and there are many ways to achieve mind and body wellness from your home beyond putting an elliptical in a spare room. Luxury homeowners want the atmosphere and amenities of a resort in the comfort of their own home. Spaces, in particular master suites and fitness rooms, can be taken to a new level if given spa-like treatment. Master bathrooms become a tranquil retreat with a steam shower, deep soaking tub, heated floors and towel warmer. Customized fitness centers can include a lap pool, massage corner, and refreshment area. Luxury homes in mild climates commonly have outdoor kitchens, entertainment and fitness areas that rival their indoor counterparts. Well-designed outdoor spaces enhance a home's livability and add a resort-like feature.

Flexible Spaces -- Today's families are looking for more flexibility, especially city dwellers living in space-challenged homes. To quickly open up or close off spaces that have multiple purposes, such as a den that doubles as a guest room, pocket doors provide the perfect solution. Pocket doors slide into the wall and out of the way, giving you more usable floor space. They can be used in any room of the home, such as dining and living rooms, bathrooms, pantries, or mud rooms. Even in expansive homes, pocket doors add the luxury of privacy to open floor plans. When doors cannot slide into the wall due to your home's design or building materials such as stone, wall-mount door hardware allows a door to be mounted to the outside of a wall, saving floor space and adding unique appeal.

Green Living -- Sustainable home design is a fast growing trend because more and more homeowners are making it a priority. "Green" elements such as eco-friendly and nontoxic building materials are working their way into every aspect of the home. With a gourmet kitchen being an expected amenity in luxury homes, adding products such as high-end energy efficient appliances, recycled glass and renewable woods will help align your home with the green movement.

High-Tech Homes -- Technology that integrates the controls for home entertainment, appliances, security, lighting, and heating/cooling are increasingly popular. Homeowners also want automated technology that allows them to control systems remotely, like turning off the pool lighting from the kitchen.

The possibilities to make your new luxury home distinguishable are endless. The road to begin the journey toward your dream home begins at eplans.