I've always been fascinated by science fiction and the supernatural, so it's not surprising that I was fascinated by the results of the latest study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) that predicts what the typical U.S. home will look like in the year 2015.

The study of 500 architects, designers, manufacturers and marketing experts asked what they expect to be prevalent in average and upscale homes in 2015. The biggest news is that home sizes are not predicted to rise anymore. The average size of U.S. homes has been consistently rising to today's 2,439 square feet, up from 1,500 square feet in 1973. But the study predicts that homes will remain between 2,300 and 2,500 square feet through the year 2015.

What does that mean for an industry built on selling homes for more money every year based on “bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage”? If the home size doesn't grow, does that mean your revenues and profits won't grow either … for the next 10 years? Maybe … unless you join the growing consensus of builders who are making a conscious effort now to offer highly profitable home technology.

It's not just me saying this; the study of experts supports that conclusion. Indeed, 55 percent of respondents in the report predict that the living room will vanish from the home of the future. Fully, 72 percent of the experts say the vanishing square footage from that living room will be transferred into a large multipurpose great room/family room. And, of course, among the key features in the great room is home technology, including in-wall or in-ceiling speakers, surround-sound stereo, a big screen television (rear-projection, plasma or LCD TV or a front projector), automated drapery/blinds/shade control and lighting control. The great room and the adjoining kitchen are already the social center of the home of the today and will be for the next 10 years, according to the study. Check out our article on page 20 in this issue on 6 ways to incorporate technology into the great room.

Other key results from the study are:

• Mood lighting—Respondents say that the industry will be recognizing the power of mood lighting, with a trend towards recessed lighting
• Fiber networks—Sixty-six percent say that the average 2015 home will have a fiber optic network, and 87 percent say that this feature will be found in upscale homes.
• Electronic features—Standards in the average home by 2015 will include programmable thermostats (78 percent), structured wiring systems (61 percent) and multi-line phone systems (59 percent). Upscale homes, by comparison, are expected to include just about every electronic feature that is available, such as multizone-controlled HVAC (88 percent); multiroom audio (87 percent); whole-home control/automation systems (86 percent); monitored burglar alarm systems (81 percent); programmable thermostats, structured wiring systems and instant hot water in bathrooms and kitchens (each 80 percent); monitored burglar/fire/toxic gas alarm systems (77 percent); and lighting control systems (75 percent).
• Green building—Participants note several trends in green building in the average home, including energy-efficient appliances and mechanical equipment (98 percent); greater use of water- or energy-conserving devises (89 percent); energy-efficient windows (89 percent); and builders seeking green certification (66 percent).

So now's your chance to set the stage for the next 10 years. The writing is on the wall … what are you waiting for?