From posh outdoor living spaces to decked-out wine cellars, these luxurious features can transform ordinary homes into dream homes. According to real estate brokerage company Redfin, luxury home sales increased in fourth quarter 2015 and ended a nine-month slump, with an average luxury home sale price of $1.62 million. Sales in 2016 also are predicted to climb and attract a new wave of luxury homeowners. So, with that in mind, you might be thinking about how to attract homebuyers who are hunting for a property with a little something extra-special. If that’s the case, consider some of these popular trends emerging of late for some inspiration. While there are some simple fixes you can make — like landscaping and lighting —these amenities are the ultimate in luxury and creature comfort.
1. Think Smart
Wired high-tech spaces are in high demand, and according to a Smart Home Survey by Coldwell Banker and CNET Smart Home, 81 percent of current smart-home device owners said they would be more open to buying a home with connected technology already in place. Many high-end offerings let consumers control items in their homes remotely using a smartphone or tablet — including comforts like heating and ventilation —but consumers also can lock and unlock gates, windows and doors, and monitor encrypted security cameras from anywhere they’re online. In the future, expect sci-fi-level technology — like sensors embedded in your bed that record health-related data such as heart rate and body temperature and analyze it to make dining and recipe recommendations on a screen in the kitchen.
2. Wine Cellars
Remember the typical wine rack? It had individual square openings that you inserted the bottles into and then you had to pull each bottle out one by one just to read them? They have come a long way, baby. Today’s spacious wine cellars have custom drawers that can be pulled out to reveal multiple wine bottles for easy viewing and access, as well as rotating lazy Susans specifically designed to hold wine bottles and wooden wine cases — all installed behind climate-controlled glass doors. Homebuyers also are looking for complete tasting rooms that combine the cozy comfort of a den with restaurant lounge ambience to host friends and family. Add soft lighting, a fireplace and your best wine collection to complete the look.
3. Home Theaters
While home theaters have been around for a while, they now are being updated with actual theater seating — like a recliner, but with a bit more “theater” quality and feel — as well as theater-specific furnishings like popcorn and concession stands, theater “now showing” marquees, and even IMAX screens. There’s even tell of many a themed theater space — including a $300,000 pirate-ship-shaped home theater with leather seats on the ship’s deck and a movie screen for a billowing front sail, along with a keg disguised as a microwave and a door that appears to lead to the ship’s lower deck but actually masks a refrigerator.
4. Outdoor Living Spaces
Outdoor spaces can be as comfy and inviting as indoor areas. More homebuyers are seeking fully loaded, stand-alone outside entertainment areas for cooking, dining, playing and entertaining. Some examples include high-end tree houses; garden rooms; and spacious metal or wooden gazebos complete with climbing flowers pergolas, built-in fireplaces, kitchens, elegant seating areas and fire pits.
5. Underground Garages
The garage is not just a place to keep cars anymore. More and more people are looking for massive subterranean garages (most climate-controlled and with car elevators) that include everything from wet bars to TV lounges to maintenance bays … not to mention plenty of room to show off their prized car and motorcycle collection, and maybe even a golf cart or two.