The trendiest architectural ideas and designs are showcased annually at the International Builders Show (IBS) and the Kitchen & Bath International Show (KBIS). Although the show was held online last year, this year everyone got a chance to see the latest trends in person in Orlando, Florida. And this year’s show did not disappoint with some of the most creative and innovative home improvement ideas, building materials, and designer favorites on display.
According to the IBS, 24 judges from the media and the home construction industry reviewed over 200 ideas to determine which ones would qualify to win the “Best of the IBS” awards. Each entry was judged by the following standards:
- Builder/consumer-friendliness
- Visual Appeal
- Originality
- Functionality
2022 Best of the IBS Trends
These home design ideas were the ones chosen for the 2022 “Best of the IBS” awards.
The Best in Design Ideas
The Latest in Solar Power Roofing
Most people in 2022 are familiar with solar panels and how they help to conserve energy resources and help us save on utility expenses. But have you ever heard of solar shingles? Well, this year’s winner of the Most Innovative Construction Tool award goes to GAF Energy for introducing us to the prototype for solar shingles. GAF Energy has catapulted us into the future by not only selling solar panels but also offering shingles to make the entire roof environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Customers who order solar shingles don’t have to worry about installing solar panels after roof construction.
As far as functionality is concerned, solar shingles are designed to be weather-resistant. They come in typical roofing colors (i.e., black or slate gray), and they increase the value of your home because of their energy efficiency.
The Elegance of Stone Design
Everybody who’s into building houses love stone finishing—especially on the outside of the home. The look is timeless, and it speaks volumes when it comes to both home design nostalgia and style. There’s no surprise why the Mortarless Series by Evolve Stone took home the Most Innovative Building Material award. As their company name implies, this revolutionary stone material does not require mortar for installation. All it takes is a finish nailer to secure the material, which makes this material simple to install and much lighter than traditional stone installation materials. So, if you’re looking for a great return on your investment, this finishing material is an ideal choice for 2022.
Installing Decorative Panels for a Stylish Backyard
People learned the art of outdoor living during the isolating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many have invested heavily into ensuring their home entertainment lives up to its promise of helping to pass the time away. Instead of installing unsightly screen panels on your backyard patio for comfortable outdoor fun, Barrette Outdoor Living has taken the win for Best Outdoor Product by designing practical and highly stylish screen panels to give your backyard patio both beauty and intimacy. These panels will create a private, cozy outdoor entertainment area that is also weather-friendly.
Installing Flush Pantry Doors for Simplistic Kitchen Appeal
The winner of the Best Indoor Product category goes to Murphy Doors. Flush doors are usually plain-looking and have a basic design. Murphy has produced a design that works well in small rooms like the kitchen and helps amplify the design of other accessories close to them. So, if you’re looking for a basic flush pantry door design that could also provide more shelf space, Murphy has the right product for you. For those preferring style over functionality, you can opt to install a frosted glass pantry door.
The Smartest Ideas for a Smart House
The Energy Efficiency of Smart Panels
There’s no secret why SPAN Panel took home the award for Best Home Technology and Best Energy Efficient Product. These smart panels are designed to replace your existing electric panel to make your home more energy efficient. Smart technology allows you to keep track of your use of electricity, and it allows you to control the use of your appliances while you are away from home. This durable and environmentally friendly product is a must for newly built or existing homes.
The Art of the Smart Switch
Swidget took home the win for the category of Best Kitchen and Bath Product. The Swidget is a smart switch that allows you to use digital technology to control your home appliances. You can start the coffeemaker, turn on the tea kettle, and shut off your stereo with the sound of your voice or a digital assistant.
Let’s say you forgot to turn off your flat iron in the bathroom. All you have to do is turn off the bathroom switch. If your house is dark inside at night, you can turn on the entryway lights before you unlock the front door.
Smarter Home Security with Smart Locks
The award for Best Window and Door product goes to Panolock because it utilizes smart lock technology to enhance home security. Panolock is highly versatile and works well with a variety of hardware. You can also keep your conventional door handles, door levers, or doorknobs if you install Panolock smart locks. Another great benefit of the Panolock smart lock is the use of digital technology. You can use your fingerprint to lock and unlock your door, and you can lock or unlock your doors while away from home using a smart app. Also, you can be confident in the security of your smart lock system because you can monitor when your locks are turned on and off and whether your Wi-Fi has been compromised. Unfortunately, you can’t buy this product in stores right now because it’s only available to home manufacturers.
2022’s New Home Building Trends
The International Builders’ Show not only displays the trendiest creations in home design for the year but also gives us an overview of why certain trends have gained more appeal. These are a few of the trends that were discussed this year.
Small Houses with Big Impressions
There is an increasing appeal of tiny homes in 2022, and the trend is gaining momentum for years to come. According to panelist Greg Dodge of Design Basics (who also had an entry in this year’s competition), most people are looking for energy-efficient homes that require less space.
People who criticize the concept of small homes claim these smaller structures don’t provide much room to enjoy one’s home. However, people who have small homes disagree. Small homes are gaining popularity because they are easier to transport, use fewer energy resources, and eliminate extensive housekeeping. Eliminating extensive housekeeping is one of the chief reasons why people embrace the idea of having homes that take up less space.
The image above displays a small home (Plan #120-2655) that takes up only 800 square feet of space. It comes with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, and living room area, and a cute front porch.
Home Design in a Post-Pandemic World
The home designing industry has changed dramatically since COVID-19. Massive amounts of time spent indoors prompted a need to make bigger investments in what we include in our homes. Since many working families embraced remote working during the height of the pandemic, accessories for home office space have become a popular trend among today’s homeowners. Just imagine having a garage that functions like a dance studio or turning your great room into an art studio.
Barndominiums: The Farmhouse of the Future
So, what type of farmhouse is a barndominium? In the past, farmers would often reside in their barns to save on living expenses, and now this trend has resurfaced in 2022. A barndominium is a hybrid creation of a barn and residential home. These homes are cost-efficient because they cost very little to build and there is minimal upkeep (and they also cut energy costs). We can just imagine how many ideas the panel explored concerning ways to design these farmhouses (and whether to give your barndominium a name).
What to Expect in Home Design in the Post-Pandemic World
What can we expect the home design industry to look like in 2022 and the years to come? Jonathan Boone of House Plan Zone anticipates shortages in home building materials (which will increase the cost of these materials), supply chain conflicts, and a growing increase in interest rates in the years ahead. But he was also optimistic about the future of home design and stated, "Even with these negative factors, 2022 will still be a strong year due to the strong demand and lack of inventory."
