Between the skilled labor shortage and the significant industry growth, 2017 has been an interesting year for builders, contractors, designers, and engineers. But this past year wasn’t all challenges — 2017 was full of innovative new building and design trends, and we’d be remiss not to reflect on some of the high points of this past year before jumping into the next!

Here are 5 of the most memorable building and design trends of 2017:

1) Going Green

As millennial buyers hit the housing market, the desire for newer built-in technologies, like smart homes and energy efficient appliances, is only natural for this tech-savvy generation. Some easy, affordable options for new homeowners include solar panels or low-flow faucets and showerheads.

2) Offsite/Modular Construction

As the skilled labor shortage continues, prefab building methods have become a popular costs-saving solution when it comes to constructing single-family homes. The off-site construction process condenses the building schedule of a project and makes it easier to get the job done in less time.

Read more about prefab building here >

3) Open Floor Plans

Average, multi-family homes are currently favoring the open floor plan over the more traditional division of rooms by walls, as they offer concise, contemporary layouts that allow for more air and light.

4) Modern Design

Modern minimalism was hot in 2017, with contemporary design elements such as geometric faucets, glass garage doors, and flat panel cabinets growing increasingly popular among homeowners.

See what Plumbing Perspective had to say about our contemporary MOD collection >

5) Brushed Brass and Nickel Finishes

The warm tones that brass and nickel finishes provide paired with the muted look of a brushed finish makes for a beautiful addition to any room. These neutral tones look great with all colors, making it easy to match with kitchen and bathroom decor of all kinds. They can even be mixed with other finishes to create a more eclectic look. With so many options, it’s no wonder homeowners and builders are choosing these finishes for their residential projects.

Take a look at Olympia’s i2 pull-down kitchen faucet in brushed nickel >