Whether you have a house, condo, or townhouse, today’s homes work harder than ever to bring multi-use needs into a single space. How we make space for work, play, privacy, and togetherness evolves. So, too, does how we view home—especially in today’s challenging market.
Design & remodeling
“One of the things I love about working in Eugene is the character of our homes,” says Matt White of remodeling firm Neil Kelly. “We have mid-century gems, old farmhouses, and Craftsman details you just can’t replicate today.”
The sense that a house was for family, rest, and gathering remains part of how we view home. Yet home has also become an activity center, sports field, media hub, office, and retreat—sometimes all in one day. Spaces need to flow, yet maintain separation, especially when it comes to workspaces.
People working from home want a professional space with the right-for-them level of separation from gaming consoles, pet play, or kitchen appliances. They don’t want the entire house or apartment to feel like a sterile office, either. Instead, natural light and acoustic privacy become key components of a well-placed home office, one that allows real boundaries but can flow into the rest of the space when desired.
“For those that have been in a home for a while, there’s currently less appeal to making a move, and pragmatically, a remodel or addition is preferable,” says Dan Revell of Western Oregon Builders Association.
Understanding how clients want to use their space goes into every project for White, especially when remodeling older construction. Original fir floors, built-ins, beams; proportions; window placement: Those elements carry craftsmanship and story that are important to retain.
“If we strip that away, we lose something important,” explains White. “At the same time, these homes weren’t designed for how we live now. Kitchens were closed off. Storage was limited. Energy performance wasn’t part of the conversation. Our job is to improve function, comfort, and efficiency without erasing personality. When we walk into a legacy home, the first question isn’t ‘What are we changing?’ Rather, it’s ‘What makes this home special?’”
Master bedrooms have become primary suites, popular as a getaway space, with seating areas, outdoor spaces of their own, and spa-like bathrooms.
“People are asking their homes to do more, be more,” says Dakers. “Instead of going somewhere else to have a great meal or hang out on a terrace or have a spa experience, why not do it at home?”
Multi-use spaces
New construction can account for design choices and modern usage preferences at the planning stage. Given the number of legacy homes in the area, many buyers are adapting a current or new-to-them space instead.
“Sometimes the existing home is not in a style that the clients are enamored with, so then we strategize on how we can transition the new spaces to a style that the clients want and, in doing so, what that means for the existing spaces that will not be renovated,” explains Alec Dakers, partner and lead designer at Rainbow Valley Design and Construction. “Often, we tackle this with a master plan, which is a plan for the entire home that can be executed over time to achieve the full dream of what the clients want for their home.”
That planning becomes integral in updating spaces built with a different paradigm in mind. For example, today’s customers often value multi-functional spaces and blending indoors and outdoors, such as with covered patios that can extend living spaces and connect us to nature.
“Outdoor spaces have really trended up in the last five to six years,” says Dakers. “More covered patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, space to entertain.”
Inside, the kitchen’s role as the heart of a home has extended far beyond just cooking or entertaining. It now hosts the day-to-day business of life, family, work, and school as well.
“It is the ultimate flex space,” says Dakers.
Sustainability
Performance, not just aesthetics, has become a high priority.
“Energy efficiency, electrification, and healthier materials are now baseline expectations,” explains Neil Kelly’s White. “Homes aren’t just visual statements. They’re long-term investments that reflect personal values.”
Along with efficiency, sustainable materials, and high-tech, state-of-the-art advancements, people also want nature in the house.
“People are craving balance through natural materials like real wood, stone, and organic textures,” says White. “This shift aligns with Pacific Northwest craftsmanship.”
Both remodels and new construction include tighter construction, improved insulation, and well-designed heating and cooling systems. The end result is a home that feels more comfortable and operates more efficiently—and often, more cost-effectively.
“Homeowners may not immediately see these improvements, but they notice them in how the home performs every day,” says Heather Efraimson, senior project manager at Hayden Homes.
Those details and refinements often happen behind the scenes, at the drafting table or on the job site. They come in the form of improved planning tools, construction, and design technology that improve the alignment of design, budget, and execution throughout in the process.
“That allows us to involve the customer in the process, be more precise, reduce waste, and ensure what we deliver matches both the homeowners’ expectations and how they live in the space,” says Efraimson. “Material innovations continue to support that effort as well. Products that are durable, low-maintenance, and designed for long-term performance help us build homes that not only look great on day one but continue to perform for years to come.”
the Real estate side
Today’s homebuyer wants to do less imagining and have a stronger sense of place as soon as they enter a potential property, says Adrienne St. Clair, Realtor and luxury collection specialist with the Adrienne St. Clair Group.
“Homes need to be clean, staged, and ready to walk into,” she says. “Buyers are generally working. They don’t have time to do a remodel.”
Especially with people moving to the area, they want to buy, move in, and get down to living.
“They feel overwhelmed by half-done projects,” says St. Clair. “If they’re new and moving to the community, they don’t know how to get in touch with contractors to do remodels and upgrades.”
That preference for ready-to-live space has become more prevalent over the past 10 years.
“People are being more thoughtful in their purchases,” says Revell. “They’re less concerned about a future move-up and are more focused on someplace they can be comfortable putting down roots for an indefinite period of time.”
In fact, that “fixer-upper” descriptor has become less of a motivator and more of a deterrent. So has the default desire for a larger square footage.
“A large home that needs extensive updating often deters buyers because the cost and complexity of renovations feel much higher,” says Erin Ralston, broker and team lead with Erin Ralston Group/Windermere Real Estate. “Smaller homes that are fully remodeled are in strong demand and often command a much higher price per square foot. Buyers want a home that feels complete and comfortable right away, without major projects hanging over their heads.”
Other trends & considerations
Limited inventory and affordability remain challenges. Ralston notes that while the average age of a first-time homebuyer was 33 in 2020, it’s now around 40. Some people are staying out of the market for now, but those who are ready to buy are also seeking a home that can truly feel like an extension of their individuality.
“What we are seeing more and more of is clients wanting projects that are a true reflection of who they are, rather than following some national trend,” says Dakers. “Clients are asking us to design spaces that are personal to their tastes and how they live.”
Aesthetically, cool grays and stark whites are giving way to timeless warm wooden tones, especially in kitchens. Jewel tones, natural greens, peacock blues, and cabernet reds are adding personal zest to personal spaces. People are also seeking home wellness spaces to boost mood and health, including steam showers, saunas, and home gyms.
“It’s not about building the biggest home but rather the right home for that stage of life,” says Efraimson. “Instead of simply wanting more, buyers are prioritizing efficient use of space, quality materials, and features that will hold up over time with less maintenance.”
Ultimately, Matt White says, local homes have become not just a place to dwell, but a multi-use space that aligns with a person’s needs and lifestyle.
“The best renovations feel layered: You can sense what’s original and what’s new, and that contrast is what makes it compelling,” he says. “I often tell clients that we’re not trying to make your 1955 house look like it was built in 2026, but we can help it live like it was.”
Another trend in building and space design? AI, naturally, but its uses aren’t what you might think. AI tools and visual bookmarking tools like Pinterest or Houzz can help a person give form to their vision, but it’s only a starting point.
“AI, it brings clients into the design dialogue earlier and with more confidence,” notes Andy Drake, architect at Drake Architecture and Design. “But AI is not a turnkey solution capable of delivering hands off architecture.”
An AI image doesn’t necessarily become reality, whether that’s due to budget constraints, code restrictions, or the laws of physics.
“Architecture has always relied on the unexpected: the happy accident, the intuitive leap, the moment when a mistake reveals a better solution,” adds Drake. “AI can support the process, but it cannot replace the human judgment, curiosity, and creativity at the heart of architectural design.”
