From Builder Magazine

Changing values around homeownership are shifting consumers' focus from healthy finances to healthy lifestyles. Only one percent of Americans see their home as a measure of success, according to an IKEA Life at Home Report, a clear sign that priorities are evolving from external to internal factors.  

At Sphere Trending, a design trending forecast firm, it is observed that well being is moving up on homebuyers' wish lists, evidenced by new product introductions for the home, as well as the growing influence of trade fairs such as Greenbuild. As this proactive mindset filters into all generations, new amenities offering health benefits and supporting daily wellness routines will be in demand. Consider these trends:

1. “Aspirational well-being” is the mantra of 21^st- century home living. The home has become a platform for “in-sourcing,” bringing amenities that were once experienced outside - the spa, gym, theater and restaurant - into the daily environment. Post-recession, this became more of a necessity as a cost-saving measure, but now we are so comfortable at home that it’s just as much of a choice.

The Comfort Shower.

2. The theme of this year’s International Sanitation and Heating show was “Comfort and Technology,” highlighting the bath as an ideal stepping stone toward home automation due to the smaller size of the room and the opportunity for personalization. This was shown by Dornbracht’s “Comfort Shower,” a relaxing seated shower experience using customized water modules with health benefits. The master bath has evolved into a multi-functioning prep, relaxation and well-being space.
3. The idea that comfort and health are tied together is indicative of the cultural shift in proactive wellness. With an educated homeowner populace, today’s consumer understands the importance of natural light, outdoor spaces, clean air and other wellness amenities. This sets the stage for health-minded building practices, such as the WELL Building Standard, pioneered by Delos. (Delos is partnering with Strategic Property Partners to create a 40-acre urban mixed-use development in Tampa, Florida, that will be the first WELL-certified city district.)
4. Developers are looking outside the home’s four walls to include amenities for a health-focused society – hiking trails, proximity to parks and water sports. Understanding these benefits can be as important as the features within the home.
5. Society is encouraging environments to become healthier. Since 2009, Toronto has mandated green roofs on all new industrial and residential buildings. The residential building community needs to pay attention to how these societal shifts will influence 21^st-century home layouts. New designs will appeal to a Living Kitchen, Spa Bathroom, Outdoor Home, Meditation Area as well as Active Interiors for exercise. In addition, durable products will be inclusive of comfort, safety and well-being.  
6. The link between the interior and the exterior cannot be overstated. Sphere Trending reported on the rise of “Streetside Living” over a decade ago, whereby homeowners are looking to reach out to neighbors for real-time interactions. The front porch continues to be a top-rated amenity for today’s homeowner in both new builds and remodels. The trend has evolved for seamless living between inside and outside spaces.  
7. At last fall’s High Point Furniture Market, there was a noticeable increase in the number of indoor furniture pieces being upholstered in either outdoor or high performance fabrics. Consumers are breaking the rules between what goes where and pushing the boundaries on furnishings that can live indoors and out.
8. Builders are competing in a marketplace that includes four active generations, to increase to five in another 10 years as today’s youth population becomes first-time buyers. In past eras, the industry was focused on entry-level and move-up buyers. There was no excitement around older consumers, as they didn’t move or remodel. Now there is an over-60 population remaining active in the homeowner market, with one in eight expected to live to be 100. Well-being takes on different meaning to each generation, switching from informal amenities to more formal needs as we age in place.
9. Similar to the future Smart Home, expectations are that the well-being ecosystem of tomorrow’s home will include cross-disciplinary initiatives for seamless homeowner interaction. Simply put, what’s cool today will be an expectation in the future, and the healthy home is poised to be the next great wellness product on the market.

By Emily Siwek

Emily Siwek is a market strategy analyst at Sphere Trending, a consumer and design trend-forecasting firm.