This '90s Home Layout Trend Is Finally On Its Way Out - Here's What's Replacing It

"Fast forward to today, and the shine has worn off. What was once seen as a showcase of affluence is now often viewed as impractical, with homeowners and prospective buyers becoming aware of the downsides, which include sky-high utility bills due to inefficient heating and cooling, acoustic nightmares from echoing sounds, wasted unusable space that could otherwise be a functional living area, and maintenance headaches like changing lightbulbs in towering heights."

"According to experts I spoke to, the 1990s and early 2000s were a time of aspirational home interiors. Homebuyers, fueled by a booming economy and a desire for more space, dreamed of residences that exuded opulence and expansiveness. This was the golden age of the two-story foyer and the two-story family room. If you're wondering why two-story living spaces are on their way out, here's what the real estate professionals, interior designers, and architects have to say about how the trend will evolve."

"The post-pandemic era has ushered in a demand for home interiors that prioritize functionality and comfort over visual aesthetics. Real estate experts state that this desire for a more practical home has led to a change in buyer preferences. Moreover, due to evolving lifestyles, homeowners prefer efficient interiors. They are picking homes with smart and intuitive layouts over large houses with two-story foyers or living spaces."

The 1990s and early 2000s favored aspirational interiors that emphasized opulence and expansive scale, producing widespread two-story foyers and family rooms. Those double-height spaces deliver visual drama but incur practical costs: inefficient heating and cooling that raise utility bills, pronounced acoustic echoing, large areas that remain functionally wasted, and maintenance challenges such as replacing high-mounted lightbulbs. Post-pandemic buyer priorities shifted toward functionality and comfort, with demand growing for efficient, smart, and intuitive layouts. Many homeowners now prefer single-story volumes or usable floor area over grand two-story spaces, reducing market appeal for such designs.

Read at Apartment Therapy