This content is provided by .
From multifunctional spaces to sumptuous textures, trends in interior design aren鈥檛 just for trendy-setting Millennials. Today鈥檚 discerning older adults are seeking the latest home looks and features in senior living. 鈥淲e attribute some of the strong interest in our community to the undeniable style and modern features in our apartment homes,鈥� says Santha Siegel, design coordinator, for , a Life Plan Community for those 62 and better projected to open in Tysons, Virginia, in 2024. 鈥淲hile our tagline 鈥榣uxury of a different kind鈥� refers to lifestyle, it certainly applies to the stunning apartment homes being planned.鈥�
Functional & Flexible
One trend in home design that seems to be universally popular is open floor plans鈥攖hat is, home layouts where living rooms are partially or completely opened up into the kitchen and dining area. 鈥淧eople continue to request open-concept homes,鈥� says Santha. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 where people across the country are spending their money, whether on new construction or renovations.鈥�
will incorporate open plans, with spacious living areas that flow together beautifully, incorporating the outdoors with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies. With plans ranging up to 3,300 square feet, each home offers an abundance of stylish living space. And residents have access to the amenities, services, and Life Care that comes with a move to .
鈥淧eople love the design of these homes,鈥� says Santha. 鈥淭he modern layout emphasizes a feeling of space and light that is irresistible.鈥� Yet she points out that there is more to love about these open plans than the visual appeal.
Beyond their attractiveness, open plans offer seemingly unlimited flexibility to create multipurpose spaces. Realtors believe these plans maximize a home鈥檚 square footage better than a traditional floor plan with separate rooms.
鈥� give the impression you鈥檙e using your space better,鈥� says Santha. 鈥淢ost people today aren鈥檛 using formal dining rooms or even formal living rooms. Homes are being designed or remodeled to eliminate these. Many who live in homes with them are repurposing them to be a home office, workout area, studio, or quiet place to get away.鈥�
She believes this flexibility is the reason for the popularity of open floor plans: it reflects how we鈥檙e using our homes. 鈥淧eople today are using multifunctional rooms, where you can chat with family in the living room while you鈥檙e cooking,鈥� says Santha. 鈥淚t gives the feeling of being able to congregate.鈥�
As a designer, Santha has given this a lot of thought. She says, 鈥淚 think people today are moving toward designing space around what we do on an everyday basis, not on creating a showplace for having people over.鈥� She believes this isn鈥檛 just a trend caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but that home design is making a more permanent shift. 鈥淧eople have taken a close look at how a home functions, and how they can configure it to make their lives better, creating a refuge where they can relax and still have space,鈥� she says.
She herself loves open floor plans, pointing out, 鈥淭he kitchen used to be the heart of a home鈥攚here the family gets together and where a party ends up gathering. With an open floor plan, the whole home is the heart.鈥�
