Top Custom Home Build Trends in 2025
The custom home industry is constantly evolving, with new trends emerging every year to meet the changing needs and desires of homeowners. As we find our stride in 2025, several key trends are shaping the way custom homes are designed, built, and lived in. Whether you’re planning to build your dream home or looking for inspiration, here are the top custom home build trends to watch in 2025.
1. Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Homes
Builders are incorporating eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient appliances, and renewable energy sources like solar panels.
Sustainability continues to be a major focus in home construction. Builders are incorporating eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient appliances, and renewable energy sources like solar panels. Homeowners are prioritizing features such as passive design principles, high-performance insulation, and smart water-saving systems to reduce environmental impact and utility costs.
With rising energy costs and growing environmental awareness, net-zero homes are gaining traction. These homes generate as much energy as they consume through solar power, battery storage, and advanced insulation techniques. Smart energy management systems help optimize efficiency, ensuring long-term sustainability and cost savings. Additionally, innovations in window glazing and thermal massing are enhancing the energy performance of custom homes.
While sometimes controversial, California leads the charge in sustainable building requirements with California’s Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen). They have established specific requirements for energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems, solar energy usage and increased water efficiency requirements for plumbing fixtures, appliances and landscaping.
2. Smart Home Integration
The demand for smart technology in custom homes is at an all-time high. In 2025, homeowners expect seamless integration and extra automation throughout their homes. Some of our favorite smart home technology to add to your new build include smart locks, video doorbells, integrated automatic lighting and built-in charging stations like this one from FreePower.
Smart technology in custom homes is at an all-time high
Additionally, voice-activated assistants and smart appliances continue to remain popular with many smart appliances syncing with apps for remote access. Home monitoring systems are also rising in popularity that provide real-time energy usage data for modern homes. Products like this Smart Water Monitor from Moen give homeowners peace of mind for preventing water leaks and floods when they are away. Now that is smart technology.
3. Flexible & Multi-Functional Spaces
As remote work and hybrid lifestyles continue to shape our living needs this year, homeowners continue to seek flexible and multi-functional spaces. Custom homes are now designed with convertible home offices, workout areas, and adaptable spaces that can serve different purposes over time. Movable walls, built-in storage solutions, and modular furniture enhance the versatility of living spaces. We’re also continuing to see a decrease in ‘formal’ living spaces as home owners continue to ask for larger eat-in islands in lieu of formal dining spaces. A few multi-use room ideas include a home office that can double as a guest room, a large kitchen island that can seat guests while providing large prep space or a garage that doubles as a home gym. We are even seeing a trend toward materials with multi-use features- like undermount sinks with a built-in ledge to hold colanders and cutting boards.
4. Biophilic Design & Natural Elements
Are all white kitchens on their way out of style? It may be too early to tell, but we are seeing an increased demand for more natural elements in the home. Think soft, warm colors, large windows and indoor plants. Bringing nature indoors is a growing trend in custom home design. Biophilic simply relates the human tendency to connect with nature and other life forms. This could include elements such as skylights, indoor gardens, natural wood finishes, and stone textures help create a sense of tranquility and connection to the outdoors. As our population waits longer to have children, or choose not to have kids at all, biophilic design also means incorporating more pet-friendly designs into our homes like designated pet food stations or hidden litter boxes.
5. Wellness-Focused Features
Seamless indoor-outdoor living
Health and wellness are influencing home design more than ever as people are spending more time at home than ever. Custom homes are being built with dedicated wellness spaces, including cold plunges & saunas, resort-style backyards, and spa-like bathrooms.
Additionally, enhanced air purification systems, circadian lighting, and non-toxic building materials are becoming standard to support a healthier indoor environment. Some high-end homes now include infrared saunas, heated floors, and integrated LED lighting in showers.
6. Outdoor Living & Entertainment Spaces
Speaking of wellness- outdoor living areas are expanding beyond traditional patios and decks. Homeowners are incorporating fully equipped outdoor kitchens, fire pits, retractable glass walls, and cozy lounge areas to create seamless indoor-outdoor living. Sustainable landscaping with drought-resistant plants and smart irrigation systems adds to the appeal. More homes are also featuring resort-style amenities such as plunge pools, outdoor theaters, and covered pergolas with heating for year-round comfort.
7. Minimalist & Modern Aesthetics
Millennials have spoken- they want sleek, minimalist designs with clean lines and open-concept layouts. Neutral color palettes, minimalist cabinetry, and integrated storage solutions create a sense of simplicity and elegance while optimize storage and function. This year, homeowners opt for quality over quantity, choosing durable, high-end materials that offer both beauty and longevity. Additionally, more homes are embracing monochromatic color schemes with subtle textural contrasts for a refined, modern appeal - think reeded cabinetry and textured wallpaper.
8. Aging-in-Place Design
As more homeowners plan for long-term living in their custom homes, aging-in-place design is a significant consideration. Features like wider doorways, step-free entrances, smart lighting, and accessible bathrooms ensure that homes remain functional and comfortable for all life stages. Curbless showers are also increasing in popularity and more contractors are becoming more skilled at installing them (yay!). Thankfully, we are also seeing an increase in accessible products, like designer grab bars, that don’t look like they belong in a nursing home.
Smart home technology is also being adapted to assist aging individuals with voice-activated controls, fall detection systems, and automated home adjustments. These are all things to talk to your designer and contractor about during the early stages of your space planning and make sure your contractor is comfortable with the nuances of aging-in-place. Even if your decades from needing accessible design, it is still something to consider during your home build or remodel.
9. Personalized & Unique Architectural Styles
In 2025, the focus is on unique, tailor-made spaces that stand out.
Customization is at the heart of home building in 2025. Homeowners are moving away from cookie-cutter designs and opting for personalized architectural styles that reflect their personality and lifestyle. From modern farmhouses to contemporary desert homes, the focus is on unique, tailor-made spaces that stand out. More homeowners are also blending architectural styles, creating hybrid designs that mix traditional and contemporary elements for a truly distinctive look. Your home should be a direct reflection of you and be designed to inspire you.
The future of custom home building in 2025 is all about sustainability, smart technology, and personalization. Whether you’re embracing energy efficiency, biophilic design, or flexible spaces, these trends will help shape your dream home into a functional, stylish, and future-proof living space.
If you're considering building a custom home or remodeling, now is the perfect time to explore these innovative trends and work with a builder who understands your vision. Walk Your Plans Sacramento is designed to get you and your construction team on the same page - prior to breaking ground. Give our team a call today to discuss what a visit with us would be like.
