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Builders Identify Key Long-Term Forces Shaping Housing Demand and Industry Health – Eye On

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Home builders are keenly aware of the complex long-term outlook ahead for the home building industry. A recent NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI survey asked builders to assess the impact of 14 major trends and forces on the health of the industry and housing demand over the next 10 years. Results show that home builders expect a mix of demographic, economic, and technological forces to exert significant, long-term influence on the industry. 

At one end, most builders consider five forces as strong or somewhat negative long-term risks to the industry and housing demand:

Government debt levels: 82%

Declining fertility rate: 78%

Long-term inflation outlook: 70%

Declining marriage rate: 67%

Energy costs: 61%

At the same time, builders identified several forces they expect to have a strong or somewhat positive impact on the health of the home building industry and housing demand over the next decade, led by structural and technological shifts:

Aging housing stock: 73%

Work-from-home trends: 65%

Artificial intelligence: 52%

Modular and panelized construction: 45%

These findings reveal that while long-term demographic trends and fiscal pressures are considered serious headwinds, builders also see meaningful opportunities to adapt related to an aging housing stock, evolving work patterns, and artificial intelligence. For additional details and results, please consult the full survey report.



This article was originally published by a eyeonhousing.org . Read the Original article here. .

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6 Key Themes at the 2025 London Design Festival

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Cable knit rug, Tai Ping Carpets

2. Merging of Disciplines

A celebration of flexible approaches to design was apparent at the festival this year, with designers mixing mediums and fields of craft.

Ed Ng and Terence Ngan of Tai Ping Carpets, for example, have harnessed the crafts of knitting and crochet to create a beautiful new line of cable knit rugs. The cozy rugs take inspiration from the mountainous landscape surrounding the pair’s countryside home near Tokyo, incorporating needlework and crochet to mirror the undulating scenery.

“I have always been fascinated with craft, and knitting in particular. Ever since I was a child, knitting has been associated with a genuine expression of warmth and caring,” Ng says. “We liked the idea of creating a sense of down-to-earth, relaxed luxury that also embraces values of sustainability.”



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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7 Key Elements for a Restful Patio

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Prassas Landscape Studio LLCSave Photo
1. Sustainable Paving

While many of us are aiming to keep hard landscaping to a minimum in our gardens, a patio surface is a must if you want somewhere to set up a stable dining table or outdoor sofa. Luckily, it’s possible to create a paved or gravel area that’s both sustainable and perfect for a well-functioning patio.

Consider asking your builder or landscaper to use reclaimed materials, such as flagstones, cobblestones or bricks. Not only will they have a smaller carbon footprint, they’ll have a timeless feel that will contribute to the relaxed mood. Permeable materials, such as gravel and decomposed granite, provide a firm surface for furniture while keeping rainwater on-site. Responsibly sourced wood decking or composite decking made from recycled materials are good options too.

Also think about creating pockets of greenery amid the paving to soften the feel and aid drainage. As long as you have a large enough area to hold furniture legs, some paving stones, bricks or decking boards could be skipped in favor of low-growing plants, such as baby’s tears (Soleirolia soleirolii, USDA zones 9 to 11; find your zone), woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus, zones 5 to 8) or small succulents set into gravel, to bring greenery up close.

Find a landscape designer near you on Houzz



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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Key Measurements to Help You Design the Perfect Home Office

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Jennifer Radakovic DesignSave Photo
Floating Desks

Consider your desk first. Think about whether the desk should float in the room, as here, be placed against a wall or be built in. The standard desk height is 29 to 30 inches (74 to 76 centimeters).

Freestanding desks range in size, but common dimensions are 48, 60 and 72 in. (122, 152 and 183 cm) wide and 24, 30 and 36 in. (61, 76 and 91 cm) deep. Get the largest desk that fits comfortably in your space, as you can never have enough work surface.

If you float your desk, leave at least 30 in. (76 cm) between your desk and wall or shelves behind it. On the other side of the desk, allow 48 to 60 in. (122 to 152 cm) for additional chairs and tables, if needed.

Note: Conversions to metric dimensions are approximately translated from standard U.S. dimensions. Each country can be unique in its standards. Investigate the customs in your locale or work with a design pro before committing to a plan.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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Key Measurements for a Wine Cellar, Part 1

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“Once … in the wilds of Afghanistan, I lost my corkscrew, and we were forced to live on nothing but food and water for days.” — W.C. Fields, My Little Chickadee (1940)

Whether you live in a tiny New York City apartment or have a mansion with enough space for a wine “cave,” there’s no reason not to preserve this precious resource. Many units are now available for properly stowing your favorite vintages. Even if you don’t drink wine yourself, you may wish to have a bottle properly preserved for guests. In this article we’ll look at self-contained refrigeration units, bottle dimensions and a few ways to store wine.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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Key Measurements for a Wine Cellar, Part 2

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The first two examples employ a small undercounter wine chiller used to get the wine a perfect temperature. As well, the few different ways used to store and present the collections give these spaces interest. Installing wine racks that place the bottles horizontally and parallel to the wall will allow you to easily see the labels, which will let you locate that perfect bottle more quickly. Combining this type of system with a diamond bin, seen below, allows a variety of ways to store the wine.

When planning your wine cellar, keep in mind the common dimensions of a 750-milliliter bottle: about 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter and 12 inches (30.4 centimeters) high. For example, if you allow 14 inches (35.5 centimeters) of width per rack and 4 inches (10.1 centimeters) of height per bottle, a racking system that is 56 inches (154.5 centimeters) wide and 84 inches (213.3 centimeters) high will hold 84 bottles at maximum. The advantage is that you need much less depth than configured in a conventional diamond bin or wooden rack. There are numerous rack systems on the market that you can buy and easily install. Just keep in mind the weight. An 84-bottle rack will need to securely hold about 250 pounds of wine.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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Key Measurements to Make the Most of Your Bathroom

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In other bath layouts, the tub may be opposite the sink and toilet, as shown here. The International Residential Code (IRC) requires a minimum of 21 inches (53 centimeters) of clear space in front of a toilet, so be sure to allow for this dimension — and more than the minimum if possible.

It is not uncommon to come across configurations that don’t meet minimum standards in older structures. But if you are remodeling, be certain to note the toilet dimensions in your project so you have adequate space.

There are standard-size toilets and elongated configurations. The elongated type will extend into the room by an additional 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters).

More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
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This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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How a Kitchen Designer Can Be the Key to a Smooth Remodel

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Parti Pris DesignSave Photo
5. They Know Where to Spend and Where to Save

“Sometimes the simple details are expensive; at other times, a design change can save so much money,” Berry says. “Always be open and honest with your designer about money. We have the knowledge and tricks to create the wow without a wow price tag.”

“I always advise my clients to spend the majority of the kitchen budget on the cabinetry and doors, as these get the most use,” Davis says. “The kitchen cabinets especially, although not necessarily seen, take the weight of the [countertop] and need to stay rigid for many years, so the doors stay aligned. I use the analogy of a car: You don’t see the chassis, but it needs to be high-quality to ensure a great vehicle.

“Where I often suggest clients can save money is on the appliances. We only sell quality brands, which means their entry-level products are still excellent quality, using the same components as the more expensive models. The difference is often in the features available, so I have a good chat with my clients to work out what features they can live without to help them choose the best-value appliances for their budget.”

McCrostie offers another tip: “Where a kitchen is totally custom, wider drawer stacks can be designed into the plan to reduce the overall number of cabinets, as drawers are more expensive than cupboards.”

7 Essential Features of a Well-Designed Kitchen



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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8 Key Lighting Trends From Milan

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The 2025 edition of Milan’s Salone del Mobile recently welcomed back the biennial Euroluce lighting exhibition (April 8-13). More than 300 international exhibitors showcased the evolving journey of light through research, innovation and a growing sensitivity to societal change. In our increasingly digital and connected world, light plays a pivotal role, shaping our perception of space, influencing our well-being and impacting sustainability at every level.

The latest products presented at Euroluce were modular, intuitive and easy to install. They were designed to create welcoming spaces and contribute to the holistic well-being of those who inhabit them. There was also a strong focus on sustainability, technological innovation and preserving the increasingly rare art of craftsmanship. Below are eight trends in new lighting products seen at the international trade event.



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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8 Key Surface Trends for the Year Ahead

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1. Surfaces That Stand the Test of Time

The theme of this year’s show was Creative Conscience, with the organizers spotlighting materials that fuse functionality, aesthetics and sustainability.

“The theme focuses on the future of materials for the built environment, driven by developments in technology, a heightened focus on sustainability and a deeper understanding of human needs,” said the show’s director, Nickie West.

A number of the brands at the show had this ethos in mind, displaying surfaces that were created sustainably and use technology to ensure they’re durable to avoid waste.

Transformad’s Tmatt super-matte surface collection (pictured) has an anti-fingerprint finish, is scratch-resistant and has self-regenerative properties. It’s also made without the use of solvents to raise its environmentally friendly credentials.

Similarly, Koukos de Lab highlighted its Koukoutsi surfaces, which are made from repurposed eco-waste. The materials are available in various thicknesses and finishes, and are easy to maintain and repair. They can also be refurbished or transformed into new products when they’re no longer needed.

Find designers, contractors and other home professionals near you



This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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