The traditional style of single family home that your family grew up in is no longer the trend, say luxury home builders in Florida. Today's buyers who are having custom homes built for them are having homes designed that will fit their more active, less formal lifestyles. The days of separate, formal dining rooms and kitchens that are strictly for cooking are fading fast. Today homeowners want less definition from room to room and more open space and luxury home builders are listening.

Some of the most popular trends that Florida home builders are seeing include:

Spa-like bathrooms for relaxation. The bathroom isn't just a bathroom anymore. Now it's a place to rest, relax and unwind. Bathtubs are oversized whirlpool tubs or Jacuzzis and separate showers feature multiple showerheads that produce massage-like adjustable spray. The bathrooms are larger with separate his and hers vanities and dressing areas so that there is less jostling for counter space or time in front of the mirror.

Informal, open kitchens. Luxury home builders in Florida are reporting that the design of kitchens in the last few years has changed drastically. Open floor plans with informal seating areas such as breakfast bars or breakfast nooks are very popular because they allow families to dine together and congregate while cooking to talk and socialize. These kitchens are also open to great rooms to allow free flowing movement between food preparation areas and relaxation areas for informal entertaining.

Media rooms. It's not just about watching television or listening to your stereo anymore. Today's home owners want to surround themselves with state of the art entertainment equipment. Home owners now want rooms designed around plasma television sets, game systems, surround sound systems and more, with built-in custom wiring and high end speakers. Specially designed theater seating and lighting are becoming very popular to give everyone that ?cinema experience.?

Amenities for now and later. Home buyers are looking to the future ? and acknowledging that they won't always be as active as they are now. Luxury home builders in Florida are being asked to design homes so that they unobtrusively accommodate possible future needs such as walkers or wheelchairs. Wider doorways, easy grip faucets and handles and no-slip stair treads are all features that have become increasingly popular.

Upscale outdoor living spaces. The popularity of "lanais," or open, roofed patios is on the rise. Florida weather is pleasant enough for dining and relaxing nearly year round, and with warm days and cool breezes off of the ocean in the evenings; lanais are the perfect way to increase living space. Today's lanai's feature custom designed patios with beautiful patterns inlaid in the floors and ceiling fans to stir the breezes. Outdoor kitchens are features in many lanais, including high-end barbeque grills, small refrigerators and wet bars for full on entertaining any day or night of the week.

Designer swimming pools. Infinity pools that appear to drop off the horizon line, unusual shapes and custom tile in designer colors are all requests that luxury home designers are getting for swimming pools these days. Home buyers want swimming pools that do more than just provide a place to cool off and relax ? they want pools that make a style statement.

With the popularity of retiring in Florida steadily on the rise, luxury home builders in Florida will continue to be keep an eye on emerging design trends for home buyers so that they can meet and exceed their expectations.