According to the Greater Houston Builders' Association, six specific trends are emerging in the latest new homes:

1. Stylish outdoor living spaces

As homeowners focus their living and entertaining on the outdoors they are deciding to do it in style. Outdoor fireplaces are sought-after amenities along with sleeping porches, and dining areas with kitchens. The outdoors is also being welcomed on all sides of homes as people add front and side porches. People want to have their indoor amenities with them so there is increased interest in having telephone and music speaker systems, and "smart home" control systems at their fingertips in outdoor spaces.

2. A "Me" space for everyone

"Me" space is the new term for those areas in the home that are personalized for particular people. Open floor plans have increased the need for people to have intimate places as getaways. Her place may be near the kitchen with internet access for things like locating recipes and paying bills. He may have a traditional den or a game-room and den combination. People also find they enjoy complete hobby/interest rooms for themselves that are specifically designed around their "other-than-work" interests.

3. Say "aaaah" as in "spa"

Master bathrooms remain luxurious places of regeneration. Large showers with seats and multi-spray options serve daily bathing while jetted tubs hold the promise of relaxation. Bathrooms are being outfitted with televisions and "usability" options like laundry chutes and adjacent dressing areas. Lighting dominates both in terms of utility as well as for mood enhancement.

4. The high-tech touch

Technology advances into the home with high-speed internet, music and video, and special controls like lighting coming on when the owner pulls into the driveway. There is a strong trend toward lighting controls that operate automatically to save on energy. The newest technologies take advantage of networking capabilities being built into appliances so everything in the home can be networked for detailed control and use.

5. Keeping cool on the inside

Spray foam insulation that is water-based and doesn't contain CFCs or HCFCs is offering new levels of thermal control without posing air quality issues. These polyisonene insulations fill framing cavities much more completely and offer a per-inch R-value of 3.6. The insulation also acts as a sound barrier making homes quieter inside.

6. No fighting over hot showers

The onward march toward energy efficient homes is highlighted by the growing availability of tankless water heaters. Some manufacturers are claiming their models are 50 percent more efficient than typical gas water heaters and 75 percent more efficient that traditional electric water heaters.

Source: Greater Houston Association of Home Builders