WASHINGTON — The Washington Post
It’s not just that an iPod can replace the record and CD players or that flat-screen televisions don’t need to be hidden behind entertainment-center doors. Living rooms are emerging from the housing bubble leaner.
The shrinkage has been caused, in part, by declining home values and plummeting sales, encouraging builders to scale back, as well as a revolt against the era of McMansions. Heating two-story entryways and the unused fifth bedroom has fallen out of favor as homeowners opt instead for cozy and functional, architects and builders said.
“As people get away from talking about square footage and look towards what fits their lifestyle, it brings their square footage down a bit,” said Josh Rosenthal of Rosenthal Homes, a suburban Rockville, Md., custom-home builder. “They need a house that meets the lifestyle of their family, and they find that can fit into a smaller envelope than they perceive.”
The demise of the old-fashioned living room goes hand in hand with the disappearance of many of its luxuries, including bulky furniture and the entertainment center, that home of a hodgepodge of sometimes-working electronics. “Entertainment centers have gone the way of the dinosaur,” said Trish Kim, a Virginia-based stager who helps prepare homes for sale.
Sometimes the new floor plans can be befuddling. “The new builders are trying to overcome the lack of space by building a high ceiling, as if that is going to kid somebody,” said Will Nesbitt, a real estate agent with Condo 1 of suburban Alexandria, Va.
The average Washington area condo has about 1,150 square feet, but during the recent boom it slipped to 1,000 square feet for new units, according to the market research firm McWilliams Ballard. That has been accomplished, in part, by shaving a few feet from the bedroom or streamlining the kitchen, said Mark Franceski, director of market research.
But most of the space is taken from the public living area. “Large living rooms can have a lot of wasted space. We have flat-screen TVs now,” Franceski said.
Sometimes builders squeeze in more rooms in space that overall has remained the same. Market research has shown that condo buyers place a premium on a second bedroom, said Todd Ray, a principal at the Washington architecture firm Studio 27. That can make the unit more affordable for a buyer willing to find a roommate, for example, Ray said. “The second bedroom is becoming more and more popular, but the overall unit size is staying the same size.”
One way the new configurations can be achieved is by squeezing the public living space to create a second bedroom that could also be used as a den, Ray said. The smaller living room can be accommodated by replacing the bulky entertainment center with a flat-screen television and an iPod docking station, he said.
“Any time you deal with urban living, you are maximizing square inches, not square feet,” said Ray, a 15-year veteran of the industry.
That means finding better ways to use space, even second-guessing the depth of walls, he said. Smaller wall studs help, he said; so does using build-in cabinets to divide rooms. Traditional hinged doors can take up nine square feet. If, instead, sliding panels are used to close off the second bedroom for privacy, it expands the living space when they’re open, he said.
The days of formal living rooms may be numbered, architects and designers said. In a recent survey, Beazer found that 74 percent of home buyers said they would prefer a home office over a formal living room in their next home.
Business
Designers, buyers get creative as space shrinks
- Business
-
-
Move over cupcake, the big 'Bundt' is in town
As one lets the imagination be the guide, it is time to think outside the chocolate box for an innovative idea for that special someone or occasion.
-
OMG — the Twinkie takes another HIT
I used to think I was a pretty “with it” kind of guy; pretty much staying up with the latest in technology and cultural trends. That was until several years ago when text messaging became a popular form of communication.
-
Take advantage of available tax credits, deductions
As Oklahomans are preparing for another tax season, Eileen St. Pierre, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension personal finance specialist, said it is important to be aware of all the tax credits and deductions available for the 2011 tax year.
-
Arvest Bank adds Harrison, promotes Coppernoll
Arvest Bank welcomes Billy Harrison as an Arvest asset management client adviser-investment specialist. He will provide full-service financial planning and investment guidance to Arvest customers.
-
First Fidelity Bank names new office manager for Rose Creek
Lee R. Symcox, president and CEO of First Fidelity Bank, a locally owned full-service community bank, has announced the addition of Aaron Trahan as assistant vice president, office manager for First Fidelity Bank at Rose Creek in Edmond.
-
Smirk New Media launches redesigned website
Smirk New Media, an Oklahoma City social media strategy agency, recently launched a redesigned website.
-
Get tips on disaster planning during free SBA/Agility webinar
Because it’s easy for even the best leader to be overwhelmed when a crisis hits and misinformation shows up in a social media feed, managing the flow of information about your company is crucial when an emergency occurs.
-
AAA continues to hire in OKC
AAA will have another in a series of Job Fairs this from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 4 for positions at the large AAA Operations Center at 3100 Quail Springs Parkway in northwest Oklahoma City.
-
Lawn Doctor opens in Edmond
Jodi Lewis came by a love for agriculture naturally. Wanting to share her knowledge with her neighbors she recently opened her own business as a franchisee for Lawn Doctor.
-
Click installed on state home builders leadership team
Edmond home builder Jeff Click was installed as vice president/treasurer of the Oklahoma State Home Builders Association on Jan. 20, joining the five-member state leadership board that represents 2,800 of his peers statewide.
- More Business Headlines
-
