There was a feature on Global News the other night about a growing trend that could have major implications for the home building and renovation industry. According to studies, and increasing number of married couples are sleeping in separate beds.
What could this mean for home builders and renovators?
It could mean that a family in a three bedroom house may simply want a four bedroom house. That would clearly be a good thing for home builders if the existing supply of homes were all on average, one bedroom to small. It also means that Master Bedrooms, closets and ensuites could see a change in design. In recent years we have seen Master Retreats get bigger and bigger. Will we see them now start having partition walls? Separate sleeping coves? His and her sleeping closets?
The National Association of Home Builders (US) believes that 60% of custom homes will have Dual Master Bedrooms by 2015. According to Woman'sDay, this was the norm 100 years ago, so is it hard to believe that history will repeat itself?
On the other hand, it could be a threat to the new home builders. If better sleep, equals happy marriage (and that is a point of contention), than we may see a decrease in the divorce rate. A reduction in the divorce rate will result in a decrease in demand for existing housing stock, and the demand to build new homes will be negatively impacted.
It's an interesting trend that is emerging, and one that we will certainly be keeping our eye on.
You can see a news clip here,
or read more on the trend from the New York Times article found here.
by Paul Attwood, Orchard Design