Fabulous features, his-and-her rooms, lots of kitchens...

If you work with upscale buyers, have builder clients who turn to you for advice on amenities to include in their new product, or have sellers who need to update to maximize value, you need to know what's currently in demand (and adds value) in the luxury home market. Today's luxury homes are packed with amenities and offer his-and-her features that luxury homeowners of a decade ago never even dreamed about.

One for him, one for her

His-and-her sinks in the bathroom have morphed into his-and-her bathrooms.  Separate closets, dual dressing rooms, separate garages (she's near the kitchen), and his-and-her living areas are also increasingly common features in million dollar properties.  In short, gender-specific rooms are all the rage with affluent homeowners.  She may enjoy a yoga room while he has a cigar room/gentleman's retreat.  He spends time on his backyard putting green while she entertains friends in her sitting/reading room.  His closet boasts quality paneling while hers has climate controlled fur storage and a ball gown section.  Alas, they may have to share the suitcase/packing room and the media room. And, of course, they each have a home office with broadband Internet access.  In addition, luxury homebuyers are asking for a room (usually adjacent to the kitchen) to use as a computer/home management center.  It's a place where kids can do homework, the whole family can surf the Internet, and personal business can be managed.   

Four kitchens?

Another trend in upscale homes is multiple kitchens.  In addition to a main kitchen, top of the line homes often have special catering kitchens and mini-master bedroom kitchens. In climates conducive to outside living, complete outdoor kitchens (most likely his) are gaining popularity.  These cooking spaces often include everything from the outdoor kitchen sink to refrigerators, ovens, icemakers, and an elaborate grill.

The main gourmet kitchen has also been updated.  Granite countertops are increasingly popular.  Corian, concrete, and new quartz-based counter tops are on some buyers' preference lists.  Freestanding furniture-style cabinetry (on legs) teamed with metallic finish appliances highlight up-to-date kitchens.  For those who remember harvest gold and avocado green appliances, guess what?  Colored appliances are back. Today's colors are navy blue and yellow, perhaps with touches of red.  Translucent glass tiles, in lieu of ceramic tiles, complete cutting edge kitchen decor. 

Showers are hot

The stress relief bath is also an important amenity in luxury properties. Roomy, multiple-head steam or rain showers are gaining popularity while the newest bathtubs are bright with LED lights.  These chromotherapy tubs let you change light color according to your mood.  Luminous glass tiles in a variety of colors are also showing up in the bath, so is the "fixture as furniture" look.  The addition of upholstered furniture -- from chaise lounges to recliners -- is making bathrooms more like home spas.

What else might you expect your buyers to request in their new million plus property?  More square footage. Million dollar homes most likely measure-in at least 4000 square feet and pricier properties on the market today may be 45,000 square feet or more in the main house.  Guest cottages, pool houses, courtyards, porches, elevators, even ballrooms are common features in luxury properties for sale across the country.  A butler's pantry is a must.

From cocooning to blooming

Don't forget the out-of-doors. Affluent homeowners have given up cocooning, stepped outside and rediscovered gardening. Multiple gardens, potting sheds, garden accessories and garden art are more important than ever, as illustrated by the growing sales of garden catalog companies and garden emporiums. 

Luxury homes are also blooming with the latest colors. Did you know that representatives of home product companies from wall paints to linens meet regularly to agree on the next color palette? That's why disparate products from differing manufacturers are color coordinated.  According to the Color Marketing Group, the past few years homes have featured colors such as rich reds, innocent pinks, soft greens and blues, lots of white, with bright yellow and navy often used for accents.  Purples, oranges (from tangerine and apricot to hot, bright orange) and warm browns.  Lots of metallic and mirrored finishes have recently been seen in luxury properties.

Staying in tune with the features and amenities most in demand is just one more way you can add to your product knowledge, build your expertise in the luxury home niche, and deliver even better service to your upscale clients.

From The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing

--by Laurie Moore-Moore