Today’s multifamily experience undoubtedly has matured over recent decades. At one point, an apartment building’s success was measured solely on its fundamentals. It was about the right checked boxes for beds and baths. There were laundry machines in the building or maybe on the floor. The finishes were kept up to date, but making sure the building performed well at a low cost remained the top priority. Today, multifamily design tells a different story – it’s all about experience.

While sustainability, amenities, finishes and technology are the big buzzwords in the industry, what they all point to is a focus on how design can enhance quality of life. Whether you’re attracting millennials looking for their first place or baby boomers looking to downsize and relocate to be closer to family, residents want a home that allows for an ease of living.

The impact on developers and their design teams can be seen at every level, from the types of amenities offered in the community to the design details of a single residence. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here. Different regions across the United States call for different considerations to attract residents.

Here in Colorado, it’s important to consider how the outdoor lifestyle factors into how people will use their space. Typically, Colorado residents come with a lot of outdoor gear that needs storing – at least a bike (or two), some downhill gear (skis or a snowboard), tents, backpacks and, on the rare occasion, even a kayak. And to round out their outdoorcentric lifestyle, many residents also own a dog. To accommodate this, many firms have started to pay closer attention to gear storage and pet accommodations. It’s common nowadays to design bike closets (both inside and outside the unit), bike repair rooms, mud room rinse areas, and dog wash rooms and dog relief pens – especially if the community is located near one of the numerous trails around the Denver metro area.

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