By Mallory Bulman

Architects, interior designers and builders gave a sneak peek into the upcoming design features renters will want this year.

The apartment market in 2017 is poised to be as competitive as ever with a growing supply and anticipated struggle for high occupancy levels. So how do multifamily developers and owners set their property apart in a sea of options?

According to a panel of architects, interior designers and builders at the 2017 National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Florida, there are a few key design trends that can help a community both attract new residents and retain those who may have a wandering eye.

According to John Thatch, senior principal at DAHLIN Architecture Planning, “The Outdoor Room is really key as far as expanding the contemporary architecture…You can have an outdoor kitchen or dining room, or it might be the outdoor living room where you can sit by the fireplace and have a glass of wine at the end of the day.”

He added that a kitchen is an intriguing feature to expose to the outdoors, and it can be achieved with large windows or sliding doors that blur the line between indoors and out.