Homebuilders in Las Vegas giving buyers their space in 2015
Stop battling storage needs and win the storage war with bigger closets, better cabinetry and use of every nook and cranny in a new home.
"Storage is key these days," John McDonough, of Canyon Creek Custom Homes, said. "Every house we are designing, the homeowners are asking for maximum storage."
Master bedroom walk-in closets head the list of top 10 features that homebuilders are offering in 2015, according to a National Home Builders Association survey in January.
"I'ts the most efficient way to get a dual-income couple off to a good start in the morning," said Stephen Melman, director of Economic Services for NAHB.
And, storage dominates a Millennial homebuyer's top 10 list with laundry rooms, linen closets, walk-in pantries and garage storage.
The key is making sure every new home maximizes its square footage with usable space.
You won't see small closets anymore. Almost every new home in Las Vegas features a walk-in closet, and many won't build anything else.
Forget the days of a single bar behind a door. Closets have built-in organization, multiple levels, sweater racks, shoe racks and tie hooks.
But donât just get hooked on the closet. Keeping things in their place is a key function throughout the home.
Laundry rooms are getting larger — and better prepared — for homeownersâ needs.
A separate laundry room is Millennial homebuyers' top priority, the survey said. Fifty-five percent of respondents said they wouldnât buy a home without one.
Complete with cabinetry, fold-down tables, linen closets for towels, sheets and spare blankets, laundry areas are finally taking the dominance in the home that the chore of doing laundry already has.
If you must spend time washing clothes, at least well-planned storage in the room can be handy.
Built-in clothes racks that fold out from a wall or cabinet offer an easy space to dry clothes and then tuck away easily to create more open space in the room.
"Homeowners would like to see storage available in any area possible; under the stairs, laundries, garages, closets, attics, drop zones and dead spaces," said Mary Connelly, William Lyon Homes Nevada division president.
Drop zones, or mud rooms, or entryways, regardless of the nomenclature are famous for storage needs. Drop zones beg for organization for fear of living up to expectations and becoming the area where each family member drops his belongings on the way in the door after a long day.
Coat hooks, shoe racks, under-seat storage, even built-in individualized, open locker-style spaces for each family member become key to keeping a home organized, decluttered and easy to navigate. On the way out the door, everyone can find a coat, shoes, purse, wallet and, during monsoon season, an umbrella.
"There never seems to be enough storage. So, anywhere you can add more storage or make it more efficient, the better," said Erika Geiser, vice president of marketing for Christopher Homes.
Built-in shelves have turned a page in new-home construction. No longer relegated to just bookshelves in a living area or study, homebuilders are creating shelving units along walls in any room, and even under the stairs.
The new trend is to maximize the space under the stairs for storage by either an access panel in the back with shelving underneath, or even shelving that comes out from the side of the stairs and has varying heights in accordance with the step with which it correlates.
What's under the stairs? It's not monsters anymore; it's seasonal items, extra blankets, toys or even patio cushions.
"We use every square foot of floor area for mechanical, living or storage elements," Connelly said.
With more consumers buying in bulk at warehouses and looking for easy storage and access to food, pantries are bulging. Walk-in pantries are taking center stage for their convenience, storage capacity and simple necessity.
"In one of our Boulder Ridge homes, we offer two pantries, which clients really appreciate," Geiser said. "We also designed storage closets inside our garages, which also is a huge hit."
The garage is the ultimate storage area. Donât let the clutter take over the entire space. Garages are getting bigger — and more organized. Cabinetry keeps all the outdoor necessities under wraps, garage closets keep the yard tools tucked away neatly and an extra bay can create the extra space to build in more shelves for all the tools, crafts or toys that require so much space. The key is to create a place for it all so it doesn't take over the space.
"When designing a home, we try to utilize every square inch possible to take advantage of all the storage space as possible," McDonough said.
