September 8, 2025 •Brian Hogan
The luxury real estate market gets a lot of publicity. From interior design magazines to curated Instagram feeds, it's easy to find examples of luxury home trends that are capturing public attention. In reality, though, some of these trends fare far better in photos than in real life.
For example, most people with young children or pets aren't going to outfit their home with designer or vintage furniture. There's just too much risk of stains, spills, and scratches. Similarly, showers without doors or enclosures look stunning in a magazine spread, but with kids, they result in water going absolutely everywhere.
That doesn't mean that all high-end interior design trends are incompatible with everyday living. In this post, I'll highlight some specific examples from our portfolio of trends you'll see in luxury real estate photos that have practical, real-world value for families, pet owners, and others who want a stunning home that you can actually live in.
A Spacious Open-Concept Kitchen
One of the most popular interior design trends in luxury homes is the open-concept kitchen and dining area, and this trend keeps going strong for good reason. This versatile approach to the main floor is great for everyday living, including meal prep, eating together, enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning, and having kids do homework at the kitchen island. At the same time, it's excellent for entertaining, whether for a child's birthday celebration or a cocktail party.
The open-concept design is a top priority for many homeowners, and in this specific project, we incorporated clean lines throughout for a compelling, modern twist. Half the kitchen island has cabinets, and the other half is built for bar stools, giving flexibility for both storage and seating.
A Built-In Double Oven
Some luxury kitchen features are only about appearance, but the double oven trend is about having premium amenities that deliver real practical value. Stacked double ovens make it easier to do batch cooking, which fits with a growing emphasis on making convenient, healthy meals at home. Having two ovens doesn't just double capacity. It also lets you cook at two different temperatures, facilitating more well-rounded and diverse meal options.
In this Greenacre remodel, we used the classic look of stainless steel appliances to fit in with the neutral palette in the rest of the kitchen. The extra-large stovetop is also a great companion to the double oven for large-batch meal prep suitable for busy families.
A Freestanding Tub
Based on real estate marketing and social media, it's clear that freestanding tubs are a hit with luxury buyers. But these tubs offer more than just marketing value. For adults, a standalone tub can help a bathroom feel like a spa-like retreat for relaxing after a long day. For kids, the tub is essential for bath time. Built with durable materials like cast iron, freestanding tubs can withstand the rigors of regular use by everyone in the family.
In this remodel, I also want to highlight another component that fuses luxury with practicality. Big walk-in showers are a luxury trend, and here, we created a no-threshold entry and adaptable doors, increasing accessibility. That can be a meaningful design element for anyone who wants to make their home accommodating for multi-generational living with aging parents.
A Dynamic Finished Basement
Finished basements are commonly featured in interior design trends. However, in many luxury home designs, the basement isn't really set up to be a dynamic living space. In this remodel, we created an open space with different elements that allow the basement to be enjoyed in diverse ways. This can be especially useful for families since kids' interests can shift quickly with every passing day.
In this basement, we worked to create a versatile game room and playroom. Foosball and air hockey are classic choices and fun for people of all ages. But there's also room for a rocking horse, a youth drum set, and an elaborate dollhouse (seen in the reflection in the mirror). Bold patterns and colors in the decorations emphasize sports fandom without restricting the room's use to only watching sports.
Many luxury home trends focus on creating basement spaces that are highly specialized, such as home gyms or theaters, and those can be fantastic in their own right. But for some homeowners, it makes sense to optimize for versatility when following the finished basement trend.
Indoor-Outdoor Spaces
Combined indoor and outdoor spaces look fantastic in luxury real estate marketing, and they also work great in real life. Creating spaces with a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor areas lets you enjoy natural light, adapt your plans to the weather, and have overflow space during a get-together.
Having a covered patio connected to an indoor living room allows parents to keep an eye on their kids while they play outside. And for dog owners, it gives easy access to the backyard so the dog can run around.
In this remodel, we used wood paneling indoors to reinforce the elegant, natural feel, and dual indoor-outdoor fireplaces provide a sense of connection and symmetry.
But this is just one example. You have almost limitless options for this type of remodel. Some people connect an indoor living space to an outdoor kitchen. Others build a three- or four-season sunroom, which can function as a family room, dining area, or even a meditation room that is linked to a patio or deck.
Energy Efficiency and Eco-Friendly Home Design Trends
Eco-conscious design continues to draw interest from homeowners. Energy-efficient and environmentally minded upgrades aren’t just about following a trend; they reflect a deeper shift in how many people think about comfort, well-being, and value.
Features like solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and smart home systems help reduce utility costs while fostering a smaller environmental footprint. Maximizing natural light and integrating indoor plants can improve mood, air quality, and a connection to the outdoors without sacrificing aesthetics.
Designers and homeowners are also embracing sustainable luxury through eco-friendly materials and natural materials, from FSC-certified wood to low-VOC finishes. High-end options like natural stone fit this trend and offer an appealing look that works in many design styles.
Even outdoor spaces are getting a thoughtful upgrade. Many outdoor living areas now feature landscaping with native plants to make them lower maintenance and more eco-friendly. While these elements may have once been rare in the traditional real estate market, they're now highly desirable for families who want style and sustainability to go hand in hand.
Adapting the Best Luxury Home Trends to Your Dream Home
Creating your dream home isn't about copying and pasting the most popular trends from high-end properties. True luxury comes from thoughtful layouts, personalized spaces, and tailored interior design.
At Hogan Design & Construction, we've been helping homeowners with custom, high-impact remodels for 25 years. As a design-build firm, we manage the entire remodeling process, including both design and construction. That allows us to forge deep relationships with our clients, giving us better insight into their goals and needs.
We welcome you to contact us about your next remodel. Whether it's a kitchen upgrade, bathroom renovation, or a whole house remodel, we invite you to schedule a consultation to learn more about what we can build together.