are easier to maintain and come in limitless colors.

Out: The breakfast bar.
In: Large dining island with dining chairs. Who wants to perch on a stool early in the morning or later, when enjoying a wonderful dinner?

Out: The big entertainment center.
In: Discreet, tucked away cupboard….or space specifically designed for wireless home theater.

Out: The understated entry.
In: Ove

Forget fashion ins and outs (who can keep track anyway?). It’s the ins and outs of home design that really have an impact on how many of us live. So, with a new year getting underway, check out some of the newest trends in condominium design, as spotted by an expert eye and leading Boston-area condo brokerage and marketing firm.

Out: The traditional tub in smaller units – studios and one-bedrooms
In: Spa-like bathrooms with oversized luxury showers (rain faucets, steam options, seats).

Out: The commercial, industrial, stainless steel kitchen (except in lofts).
In: Kitchens that blend more seamlessly into the living area, with refrigerators hidden behind wood-paneled doors and dishwashers and microwaves tucked into fitted cabinetry.

Out: The half bath or powder room in larger units.
In: Plumb for it but give the owner the flexibility to use it as a home office. Let the guests wash their hands in the other two bathrooms. Most condos are occupied by couples and they find two bathrooms sufficient. They seem to have a greater need for computer work areas.

Out: The one big, walk-in closet.
In: Twin “his and hers” walk-in closets. No one wants to share.

Out: Using the kitchen simply for cooking.
In: The kitchen should contain a flat screen television plus a computer. Who knows when you might need to Google a recipe?

Out: Charcoal cooking on the terrace, patio or deck (forbidden by most city ordinances).
In: Gas lines plumbed from condo units out to the terrace for easy gas grilling and entertaining.

Out: Only granite and marble counters.
In: New ceramic finishes and glass tiles, which are easier to maintain and come in limitless colors.

Out: The breakfast bar.
In: Large dining island with dining chairs. Who wants to perch on a stool early in the morning or later, when enjoying a wonderful dinner?

Out: The big entertainment center.
In: Discreet, tucked away cupboard….or space specifically designed for wireless home theater.

Out: The understated entry.
In: Over

throoms with oversized luxury showers (rain faucets, steam options, seats).

Out: The commercial, industrial, stainless steel kitchen (except in lofts).
In: Kitchens that blend more seamlessly into the living area, with refrigerators hidden behind wood-paneled doors and dishwashers and microwaves tucked into fitted cabinetry.

Out: The half bath or powder room in larger units.
In: Plumb for it but give the owner the flexibility to use it as a home office. Let the guests wash their hands in the other two bathrooms. Most condos are occupied by couples and they find two bathrooms sufficient. They seem to have a greater need for computer work areas.

Out: The one big, walk-in closet.
In: Twin “his and hers” walk-in closets. No one wants to share.

Out: Using the kitchen simply for cooking.
In: The kitchen should contain a flat screen television plus a computer. Who knows when you might need to Google a recipe?

Out: Charcoal cooking on the terrace, patio or deck (forbidden by most city ordinances).
In: Gas lines plumbed from condo units out to the terrace for easy gas grilling and entertaining.

Out: Only granite and marble counters.
In: New ceramic finishes and glass tiles, which are easier to maintain and come in limitless colors.

Out: The breakfast bar.
In: Large dining island with dining chairs. Who wants to perch on a stool early in the morning or later, when enjoying a wonderful dinner?

Out: The big entertainment center.
In: Discreet, tucked away cupboard….or space specifically designed for wireless home theater.

Out: The understated entry.
In: Ove

ut give the owner the flexibility to use it as a home office. Let the guests wash their hands in the other two bathrooms. Most condos are occupied by couples and they find two bathrooms sufficient. They seem to have a greater need for computer work areas.

Out: The one big, walk-in closet.
In: Twin “his and hers” walk-in closets. No one wants to share.

Out: Using the kitchen simply for cooking.
In: The kitchen should contain a flat screen television plus a computer. Who knows when you might need to Google a recipe?

Out: Charcoal cooking on the terrace, patio or deck (forbidden by most city ordinances).
In: Gas lines plumbed from condo units out to the terrace for easy gas grilling and entertaining.

Out: Only granite and marble counters.
In: New ceramic finishes and glass tiles, which are easier to maintain and come in limitless colors.

Out: The breakfast bar.
In: Large dining island with dining chairs. Who wants to perch on a stool early in the morning or later, when enjoying a wonderful dinner?

Out: The big entertainment center.
In: Discreet, tucked away cupboard….or space specifically designed for wireless home theater.

Out: The understated entry.
In: Ove

In: The kitchen should contain a flat screen television plus a computer. Who knows when you might need to Google a recipe?

Out: Charcoal cooking on the terrace, patio or deck (forbidden by most city ordinances).
In: Gas lines plumbed from condo units out to the terrace for easy gas grilling and entertaining.

Out: Only granite and marble counters.
In: New ceramic finishes and glass tiles, which are easier to maintain and come in limitless colors.

Out: The breakfast bar.
In: Large dining island with dining chairs. Who wants to perch on a stool early in the morning or later, when enjoying a wonderful dinner?

Out: The big entertainment center.
In: Discreet, tucked away cupboard….or space specifically designed for wireless home theater.

Out: The understated entry.
In: Ove

are easier to maintain and come in limitless colors.

Out: The breakfast bar.
In: Large dining island with dining chairs. Who wants to perch on a stool early in the morning or later, when enjoying a wonderful dinner?

Out: The big entertainment center.
In: Discreet, tucked away cupboard….or space specifically designed for wireless home theater.

Out: The understated entry.
In: Oversized front door. Entry with dramatic lighting and room for welcoming furniture. Everyone wants the “wow” factor.

Over all, rather than sleeping and eating quarters, apartments are becoming multi-purpose activity centers, with areas designed for work, sophisticated home entertainment, gourmet cooking and spa-like relaxation. And this multi-tasking design is accented with a demand for drama: high-impact architectural features like innovative lighting, glass walled rooms and oversized windows. Apparently, it’s a harsh world out there: who wants to go out when you can stay in? Visit http://www.condoDomain.com for the latest in luxury condo living & available condos for sale nationwide.