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Interestingly, homebuyers with plenty of money to invest in a ‘dream home’ are looking for luxury living experiences as much as material features, if not more so. Home buying trends at the wealthy end of the scale are driven by the desire to create a home that they can truly enjoy living in. This is influenced by their experiences in top-class hotels around the world that are geared towards providing the ultimate in luxury and seclusion.
No wonder, then, that affluent buyers are increasingly looking for features in their home that recreate the luxury lifestyle they are accustomed to. The idea is to create a private sanctuary in which they can enjoy the fruits of their labour, an enriched family and social life, and a better life balance to give meaning to their work.
In this article, let’s take a look at some of the luxury living experiences that high net worth buyers will be looking for.
The growing popularity of spa bathrooms means that premium homes are now expected to come with luxe upgrades that put relaxation and self-care at the heart of the experience. Top-end bathroom suites feature steam and rain showers, walk-in showers with seats, freestanding centrepiece baths and radiant heated floors. Saunas and steam rooms are popular additions, as are plunge pools, jacuzzis and indoor pools.
Taking the spa theme even further, there’s a huge trend towards connecting indoor areas of the home with the natural world outside. The idea of a luxury experience extends to outdoors via floor-to-ceiling glass doors that slide seamlessly to open up the garden. Expect to see beautifully designed outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, outdoor showers and perhaps even a meditation garden, complete with Japanese koi pond.
Contemporary luxury homes have evolved hugely, thanks to The Internet of Things that is driving many advanced features around the home. From remote controlled central heating, lighting and sound to smart fridges and other appliances, to dedicated home automation and security systems with 24/7 monitoring and surveillance, there is now not much in the home that cannot be controlled from a mobile phone.
What’s more, IoT devices such as smart video door phones, smart TVs, smart HVAC thermostats and more can be controlled via the use of voice assistants such as Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri, eliminating the need for touching items and helping to prevent diseases like COVID-19.
Even at the top of the property market, the kitchen remains the heart of the home. High-end features that will enhance the home cooking and entertaining experience include restaurant-quality appliances from top brands such as La Cornue, Sub-Zero Wolf, Gaggenau and Thermador. Expect bespoke cabinetry and beautiful natural stone worktops with the best marble money can buy, walk-in pantries, wine fridges or thermostatically controlled wine cellars.
And in keeping with the desire to connect the inside and the outside of the home, outdoor kitchens complete with BBQ area, fire pit and plush outdoor seating are becoming increasingly popular.
Fitness is a high priority for affluent homebuyers who will be looking for private gym facilities with top-end workout equipment, the latest in flatscreen TV and surround sound technology, not to mention a pool and sauna to relax in after training. And why not indulge other hobbies with the addition of, say, a tennis court, yoga studio or putting green?
Finally, it is a fact that private residences at the upper end of the scale tend to take socialising and entertaining very seriously indeed. Gaming rooms are likely to feature full-sized pool tables, while media rooms with cinema theatre facilities are de rigueur, whether it’s for watching films with the family, video gaming with friends or larger private screenings.
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