This shouldn’t be surprising given the success of the Government’s feed-in tariff and the financial savings you can incur through solar panels, biomass boilers, and other energy-efficient means of generating energy.

Buyers are increasingly choosing energy-efficient homes and demanding to see utility bills to gain a greater understanding of how much money they can save in the long term.

To save further, people buying new-builds show a marked preference for eco-friendly, energy-efficient construction materials. If you plan on developing furnished apartments, energy-efficient appliances are an absolute must.

One definite trend people are displaying in the current economic climate is that of prudent planning. However, this is not happening the way experts predicted. Although the number of those aged 50+ is likely to reach 133 million by 2030, people are eschewing the easy access of basement and first floor apartments in favour of the privacy and security of upper floor dwellings.

Where forward thinking is taking shape is in homebuyer’s increasingly choosing properties that can be remodelled and renovated to allow increased access internally. Kitchens and bathrooms are the areas where this is happening the most.

Money talks and wealthy people are investing in luxury property like never before. This trend is trickling down to define the tastes of more moderate homebuyers in 2015. Walk-in wardrobes are enjoying a surge in popularity, as are bathrooms that showcase opulence. Luxurious functionality is increasingly common with multiple showerheads in bathrooms and bespoke counter designs in kitchens.

The world is waking up to the fact that life is busy and family tasks are more evenly distributed. Kitchens have jumped on this trend to become family rooms in their own right. This had led to a trend toward large kitchens that can incorporate a homework or craft table for the kids or even a second dining space where the family can gather.

Pantries are getting larger as people continue the trend of creating luxury dishes with more ingredients, and this can also be seen in the cooking spaces themselves, which are increasingly designed for multi-purpose use. Expect more bespoke counter-top designs and quality, energy-efficient appliances.

It seemed that outdoor fireplaces, kitchens, and furniture were here to stay, but this 2014 trend has turned out to be a passing fad. Extravagance in this area is being increasingly seen as crass, and 2015 will see the return of tasteful, well-maintained decks, patios, and gardens. One thing that will remain in fashion is indoor-outdoor flow via tastefully appointed French doors.

As homebuyers shift their focus to the interior of the family home expect to see a growing trend toward indoor plants. Gone are the days of a simple pot plant in the corner. Expect to see kitchens stocked with aromatic herbs, edible micro-greenery, and medicinal plants.

A trend toward international and exotic plants will also come to the fore. This decision to bring nature indoors appears to be a direct response to the overdone 2014 trend of bringing manmade appliances outdoors.

As the world starts focusing on keeping the planet sustainable, this year will see an increased interest in stone, steel, cement, and concrete. While wooden elements will still be in place, there will also be an increase in metal stud framing.

New technologies will also be developed that could point toward future non-organic frames and structures.