Custom Home Design Trends for Denver and Colorado Springs
Interior design elevates your senses and influences every aspect of your life. From your ability to feel positive and ready for each new day, to your mental organization, your home is the beginning of it all. When planning a home, the majority of people focus on the feel of their home, even more than its structure.
The top requests from all Galiant Home’s clients are for expansive homes of 7,000 to 10,000 square feet with large kitchens flowing into open-plan living and dining areas. These areas in turn flow outside to spacious, well-appointed outdoor living spaces. Homeowners want their new homes to be places where they may comfortably entertain their families and guests.
Galiant Homes’ interior designer Amy Nelson begins working with new clients at the beginning of the design phase. She facilitates the homeowners’ vision and translates that into a personalized space plan and interior design. During the design phase, “We use 3D software to help our customers envision our design recommendations. We also establish shared Houzz folders for our owners so they can share inspiration with us.” However, Amy says, “Our goal is not to replicate something else done by another builder, our goal is to create a distinctive environment: a truly one of a kind design, inspired by what owners love.”
Through her one-on-one work on behalf of homeowners, she knows what customers desire and offers insights into the top design trends in Colorado custom homes and how they differ between Denver and Colorado Springs.
Modern, contemporary design is by far the most desirable style for custom homes in both of
Denver and Colorado Springs. Design in both markets is shaped by locale. Denver is more urban than Colorado Springs and so interiors in Denver are influenced by larger metro areas whereas Colorado Springs is more suburban. Both markets are more conservative so you won’t see edgy looks.
Ms. Nelson terms design in the Denver market Urban Modern and Mountain Modern for Colorado Springs.
Denver’s Urban Modern is influenced by industrial design. One may expect to have exposed beams and pipes, smooth, clean edges and surfaces without any fussy trim or ornamentation. Here, unlike other large metro markets in the United States, this look is distinguished by comfort. It is not edgy.
Floors are wide planks of lighter colored woods or large format tiles 30-48 inches which have the appearance of concrete in light gray tones. Finish trim is clean and unfussy. If baseboards are used they are most often five inch baseboards.
“In bathrooms,” says Amy, “we're designing showers with huge porcelain slabs — four by eight feet — rather than small tiles.” This look is paired with metallic finishes that are polished chrome or brushed nickel or matte black.
“On kitchen cabinets, we’re using slab doors that are clean and simple.” Countertops in both kitchens and baths are often concrete, or honed stone, or Cambria. When it comes to sinks, home owners are selecting ramp sinks with integrated drains in their custom countertops.
For a few years interior design magazines have been showing kitchens with islands of one color and cabinets of another. And that trend is seen in Denver homes built by Galiant. Amy says, “We are mixing colors in the kitchen with islands in one color and upper or lower cabinets in another.”
Another color trend that is showing up is the use of black or dark charcoal for walls, or doors, or base cabinets. It’s sophisticated and elegant and creates a cozy feeling when used with walnut or other wood tones. Blues and blue grays are making an appearance in homes in the Denver area. Blue in bedrooms lends a feeling of coziness.
When it comes to wall finishes, wallpaper is “huge” says Amy. “We’re seeing it in bold patterns used in all areas of the home.” Textured wallpaper such as grass cloth is also making an appearance.
Windows in Urban Modern homes are simple, clean without multiple panes of glass. The trend is for darker frame casement windows, not single or double hung windows.
In the Colorado Springs area, Mountain Modern design is distinguished by the addition of rustic elements derived from Craftsman design, but without feeling cottagey. Again, finishes are not rough, they are smooth. Exterior siding may be stucco, stone, or hard board.Typical of the area is Douglas fir siding, but Amy notes, “This calls for a lot of maintenance, and so we may try to give the appearance of Doug fir with more easy to upkeep materials.” Despite the use of rustic materials, these homes do not have the feeling of a mountain cabin. They are sophisticated and elegant; warmed by natural finishes like white oak. As seen in Denver, wide plank floors are the norm. Color trends in Mountain Modern include all tones of gray and natural wood tones.
As with Urban Modern design, kitchens are large with vast islands where there is seating for casual dining. Formal dining areas are no longer the trend. Dining areas are components of open plan living areas. These homeowners expect landscaped outdoor living areas which include grilling stations, pizza ovens, seating areas, swimming pools and perhaps hot tubs. Frequently, kids living areas may be separate from primary living areas.
Owners’ suites are now no longer vast spaces. They are big enough to be comfortable, but are not cavernous. “The common owners’ suite feature that everyone wants is a large closet,” says Amy. Owners’ closets feature an island with drawers and an integrated bench where you may sit to put on clothes. Dressers are built into the closet. Vanity space is also included as a place to store jewelry with a mirror positioned so you may finalize your appearance. LED strips provide lighting above clothing racks so you may easily select clothes and chandeliers give a bit of sparkle to the overall look of owners’ closets.
“Home automation is expected in every custom home,” observes Amy. From motorized window coverings to smart glass, and music throughout the home, technology serves comfort and enjoyment. Advances in recent years allow owners to augment every aspect of their homes with technology, most especially, HVAC systems and lighting. Controlled by apps on tablets in the home or phones, these technologies help you stay safe and secure. From smart locks to smart light bulbs, to smart thermostats and beyond, there’s an app for that. Your preferences may be programmed into menus for day or evening, setting household zone temps, turning on music, controlling temperature of your shower water, locking doors, opening blinds, lowering lights, even to brewing coffee. Owners in the Denver and Colorado Springs areas are using technology in every aspect of their home.
“Our space planning and furniture selection process assesses our owners’ personal collections, utilizing their choices in their new home and choosing new pieces designed to complement the home’s finishes and flow,” notes Amy. Many owners have pieces they wish to use in their new homes. They depend on the Galiant team to help them integrate these pieces into the new home.
When completed, every custom home designed and built by Galiant is built to be extraordinary. Each is one of a kind, just as its owners are distinctive.