OutThink

TikTok’s Blueprint

April 15, 2025
By Tabitha Warren

Viral Trends Forcing a Rethink in New Home Design

A split screen of classic, slow to produce, blue prints vs TikTok's constantly evolving word of trends — _{A split screen of classic, slow to produce, blue prints vs TikTok’s constantly evolving word of trends}

Remember when home design trends evolved over years, maybe decades? Then, BAM, in comes the hit platform TikTok, where a 60-second video can launch a design craze overnight. From hidden pantry doors going viral to the sudden ubiquity of “cloffices,” the social media giant isn’t just for dance challenges anymore. It’s becoming a powerful, if sometimes unpredictable, force shaping buyer expectations and, consequently, influencing the very blueprints of new construction homes. For builders and designers, understanding this rapid shift is key to staying relevant.

_{Split screen of TikTok trend video & a dated kitchen created in Canva Pro}

Open Concepts & Flexible Spaces a Layout Revolution?

The desire for open-concept living isn’t new, but TikTok has amplified it, showcasing seamless flows between kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms perfect for entertaining and family life. Videos often highlight the airiness and connectivity these layouts provide. Beyond just openness, there’s a growing demand for flexible spaces. A room might need to serve as a home office during the week, a homework station in the afternoon, and a yoga spot on weekends. Builders are responding by designing floor plans with bonus rooms, lofts, or dens explicitly marketed for their adaptability, moving away from rigidly defined room purposes.

Home office & Yoga Gyme hybrid space generated by Adobe Firefly — _{Home office/Yoga Gym hybrid space generated by Adobe Firefly}

The Rise of Hyper-Specific Room Requests

TikTok thrives on showcasing unique and aspirational home features, often turning niche ideas into mainstream demands. Dedicated home offices became essential during the pandemic, but TikTok introduced us to the “cloffice,” a cleverly converted closet space, appealing to those needing a compact workspace. Elaborate, hyper-organized pantries (sometimes with secondary “prep kitchens” or coffee bars hidden within) are another viral hit. Mudrooms with custom built-ins for coats, shoes, and even pet supplies are frequently highlighted. While not every buyer needs these specific features, their visibility on TikTok means builders are increasingly fielding requests and considering incorporating them as standard options or upgrades.

From Modern Farmhouse to Maximalist Flair Aesthetics and Finishes are Key

Visual trends spread like wildfire on platforms like TikTok, influencing homeowner preferences at an accelerating pace. While the enduring appeal of Modern Farmhouse persists, we’re also witnessing significant interest in aesthetics like Maximalism, with its bold embrace of colors, patterns, and textures; Biophilic Design, emphasizing natural light, indoor plants, and earthy materials; and the allure of moody, dramatic interiors. Specific finishes, as noted by industry observers such as Coldwell Banker, are also gaining viral traction, with “Bold Wallpapers” emerging as a popular choice for creating striking accent walls or transforming entire rooms, often inspired by online showcases.

Builder Kitchen, plain colors, easy for a lot of people to like — _{Sego Homes Rendering, follows classic concepts of design, but also on trend: healthy, green, available smart technology.}

However, builders often navigate different landscapes. While customization remains a powerful tool for showcasing possibilities in model homes and catering to pre-sale buyers, the need for broad market appeal in spec homes often necessitates a more neutral foundation. Color palettes leaning towards versatile browns and grays, along with universally accepted tile and fixture choices, provide a safe harbor, ensuring a wider range of potential buyers can envision themselves in the space should a deal fall through. This doesn’t negate the influence of trending aesthetics but rather highlights the strategic balance builders must strike between capturing current design enthusiasm and ensuring long-term marketability.

Smart Homes are Non-Negotiable

Smart home technology is frequently featured in TikTok home tours and gadget reviews. Integrated lighting controlled by phone, smart thermostats learning preferences, keyless entry systems, and whole-home audio are becoming baseline expectations for many tech-savvy buyers. Green Builder Media writes about tech mega trends and the evolution of technology in building regularly. The advances and demand are astounding. Builders at all levels are increasingly integrating robust Wi-Fi infrastructure and offering smart home packages as standard or easily accessible upgrades, recognizing that a “connected home” is now a major selling point fueled by online visibility.

Balancing Trends and Timelessness

TikTok’s influence on home design is undeniable, pushing builders to innovate and adapt faster than ever. The challenge lies in balancing fleeting viral trends with timeless design principles that ensure a home’s broad appeal and long-term value. While incorporating a trendy feature might attract buyers today, core elements like a functional layout and quality construction remain paramount. The blueprint for new homes is indeed being sketched by social media, but savvy builders will use the eraser wisely, blending the best of the ‘now’ with designs built to last.

At Outhouse.net, our highly customizable interactive floorplans can help builders showcase their flexible options. We can help builders give homebuyers the home of their TikTok fantasies. Contacts us now to find out how.

The Power of Sales Office Displays

February 19, 2025
By Stuart Platt

K. Hov sales office images by Outhouse contractor Matt

Why Homebuilders Can’t Afford to Overlook This Essential Tool

Every touchpoint with a potential homebuyer matters in today’s competitive homebuilding market. From the first moment they walk into a sales office, the experience they have can shape their entire perception of the builder. Investing in creative, high-quality sales office displays isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about standing out, making an impact, and driving more sales.

Yet, some builders are moving away from dedicated sales offices, choosing instead to rely solely on digital interactions or remote appointments. While technology has its place, eliminating or minimizing the role of a well-designed sales office can be a costly mistake. Here’s why sales office displays remain a crucial part of the homebuyer journey and why skimping on this aspect can put a builder at a disadvantage.

Creating a Lasting First Impression

The moment a homebuyer steps into a model home sales office, they begin forming an opinion about the builder. Are they professional? Do they pay attention to detail? Can I trust them to build my future home?

High-quality displays, such as vinyl wall wrap graphics, floor plan displays, and wall-mounted site plans, create an immersive, informative, and visually appealing environment that reassures buyers they are in the right place. A thoughtfully designed space instills confidence, whereas a sparse or uninspiring space can leave buyers feeling uncertain or even skeptical about the builder’s credibility.

_{Adobe AI generated couple interacting with a Sales Kiosk.}

Standing Out from the Competition

In many markets, homebuilders compete in the same neighborhoods, sometimes even across the street. A compelling sales office design can be the differentiator that helps one builder stand out from the rest.

Imagine two homebuyers visiting back-to-back sales offices. One builder features stunning wall graphics showcasing the lifestyle of the community, engaging video displays with customer testimonials, and an interactive site plan that allows buyers to visualize available lots. The other builder offers only a few brochures and a generic table with a sales rep. Which experience is more memorable? Which builder will leave a stronger impression?

Investing in creative and high-quality displays sends a message that the builder values their product, brand, and, most importantly, customers.

The Psychology Behind Visuals and Tapping into Emotion

Homebuying is an emotional process. I dare you to deny that. Buyers aren’t just choosing a house; they’re envisioning their future. A well-designed sales office fosters positive emotions, making homebuyers feel excited, inspired, and comfortable. Here’s how:

Trust and Confidence: Professionally designed displays communicate stability and professionalism, making buyers feel they’re working with a reputable builder.
Excitement and Aspiration: Lifestyle imagery, high-quality renderings, and engaging video content help buyers imagine themselves living in the community.
Clarity and Understanding: Interactive maps, floor plans, and community overviews eliminate confusion and make it easier for buyers to visualize their options.

Without these elements, a sales office can feel impersonal, transactional, or even forgettable. We want to inspire buyers to take the next step. Creating a memorable environment is worth it if buyers remember you after they walk out the door.

Wall wrap of motorcyclist in garage — _{Visually stunning garage wall wrap demonstrates the emotional appeal of wall wraps}

What’s Lost Without a Sales Office?

Builders who eliminate or scale back their sales offices risk losing a key element of the sales process. A well-staffed and well-designed space allows sales teams to:

Guide buyers through the decision-making process in a controlled, branded environment.
Build relationships and answer questions in real-time.
Reduce buyer hesitation by providing visual and tangible reinforcements of the community’s value.

Without a dedicated space, buyers may rely on online research alone, where competing builders have just as much visibility. Worse, buyers may lose interest or become overwhelmed without the personal guidance and reassurance a sales office provides.

Weighing the Quality vs. Cost Investment

Some builders hesitate to invest in high-end sales office displays due to cost concerns. However, opting for cheap or outdated materials or skipping displays altogether can be even more expensive in the long run. Poor presentation can lead to lost sales opportunities, reduced buyer confidence, and a weaker brand reputation.

On the other hand, high-quality, well-designed displays have a lasting impact and require minimal updates compared to the revenue they help generate. A well-thought-out investment in sales office displays pays for itself through increased buyer engagement, higher conversion rates, and stronger brand loyalty.

The Bottom Line: Sales Office Displays Drive Results

For national production homebuilders, the sales office is more than just a place to meet buyers. It’s a critical tool in the sales process. The right displays create an engaging, informative, and emotionally compelling experience that turns interest into action. In a market where first impressions and differentiation matter, builders can’t afford to overlook the power of a well-designed sales office.

Now is the time to invest in displays that showcase your brand, engage buyers, and set your communities apart. After all, a strong first impression leads to a lasting relationship and, ultimately, more home sales.

Want to learn more about Sales Office Displays?

Contact us

The Bots are Coming: Are We Ready for the Disruption Ahead?

March 10, 2025
By Jim Sorgatz

_{Jimdroid – Created by Tabitha Warren with a little help from A.I,}

The past six months have been nothing short of a revelation. Last fall, I experienced an ischemic stroke—an event that was a bit terrifying and life-altering, but also utterly fascinating. While the recovery process has been grueling, it has also given me a rare, firsthand understanding of the intricate connection between the brain and the body—something most people never have to think about.

When a stroke occurs, blood flow to the brain is cut off, damaging nerves and severing their connection to various parts of the body. In my case, I lost control of most of my left side. However, I was fortunate—my face, speech, vision, and cognitive function were largely unaffected. Even more encouraging, my doctors reassured me that I had the potential for full recovery since I could still move my fingers and toes. What they didn’t immediately share, though, was just how difficult that journey would be.

After months of intense physical therapy and relentless effort, I have regained control of most of my muscles. Just last week, I celebrated a significant milestone—full range of motion in my shoulder. Walking, however, remains a work in progress. I can do it, but let’s just say I won’t be winning any style points.

This experience has given me a deep appreciation for something most of us take for granted: the brain-muscle connection. Under normal circumstances, our muscles simply do what they’re supposed to without conscious thought. A stroke doesn’t damage the muscles themselves but disrupts the neural networks that control them. Recovery, therefore, isn’t about healing muscles; it’s about retraining the brain to find new pathways through endless, repetitive exercises.

What Does This Have to Do with Robotics?

We all know the robots are coming. Many of us have chuckled at videos of Tesla’s Optimus robot tripping down a hill. Skeptics argue that humanoid robots are still decades away from being truly useful, but my stroke recovery has given me a fresh perspective—I now firmly believe they’re coming much sooner than we think.

Why? Because AI learning mirrors stroke recovery in many ways. Just as my brain must repeatedly attempt movements to forge new neural pathways, AI systems refine their capabilities through repetition. The more they practice, the smarter and more autonomous they become, adapting to new tasks without explicit reprogramming. We’ve already seen remarkable advancements in autonomous driving—Tesla’s latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) version 13.2 shows just how close we are to full autonomy.

The Impending Disruption in Homebuilding

It doesn’t take much imagination to picture robots swinging hammers on job sites. But what will push the homebuilding industry toward this reality? Tariffs? Immigration reform? The growing need for affordable housing? The catalyst may not be clear yet, but one thing is certain: innovation is essential for reducing construction costs and ensuring builders can continue to thrive.

Remember Katerra? In 2015, it looked like this technology-driven, off-site construction company would revolutionize the industry. But despite massive funding, the company ultimately collapsed in 2021 due to a combination of overspending, the pandemic, and lender failures. However, Katerra was just the tip of the iceberg. Since then, AI has advanced at an exponential pace, and robotics is poised to play a crucial role in the next wave of construction innovation.

Are We Ready for What’s Next?

Probably not. Most industries are slow to embrace disruption, and homebuilding is no exception. But the shift is inevitable. That’s why homebuilders and trade contractors need to start preparing now—adapting to new technologies and finding ways to integrate AI and robotics into their processes before they get left behind.

At Outhouse.net, we’ve always been at the forefront of innovation. From launching our first interactive floor plan over 20 years ago to developing interactive site maps, kiosks, animations, virtual tours, and visualizers, we’ve continually pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in digital marketing technology. And we’re not stopping anytime soon. We, too, understand the need to stay ahead of the curve.

The future is coming fast—are you ready?

Don’t Retire Print Marketing – Reimagine It

February 24, 2025
By Jim Sorgatz

People often ask us why a print company specializing in print for home builders is necessary. Heck, today, builders sometimes ask us if print marketing is still a valuable sales tool! The answer to both questions is a resounding “Yes!” We explain why in this post.

The Role of Print in New Home Sales

In a recent episode of the Digital Velocity Podcast, co-hosts Erik Martinez of Digital Velocity and Tim Curtis of NaviStone talk with Alex Kupski and Jake Hoffman, co-hosts of the Millennials in Print Podcast, about the Power of Print in the Digital Age. They conclude, “The more channels you’re present on and the more channels you’re marketing to people on, ultimately, the more effective you’re going to be. Print, just like social, just like email, just like your website, just like a commercial on TV, is a channel for you to market on. It’s another arrow in the quiver. It’s another way to reach people you might not have before.”

…the ubiquity of digital media has given print media a strange new power.” –Brandon Ortiz, Salesforce.com

Print marketing works best when paired with digital marketing. Digital marketing is often the most effective way to draw people in. With interactive site plans, interactive floor plans, renderings, virtual tours, visualizers, and Matterport tours, your website is arguably a home builder’s most potent marketing tool. But it is only effective for a home buyer’s few precious moments on your website. Print collateral, on the other hand, has a much longer life span. Brochures and floorplan/elevation minis often sit on a potential buyer’s countertop or table for weeks or months, a lasting reminder of your homes and communities. Not every prospect immediately purchases a home, so print is a great way to keep them focused on yours.

David Weekley Homes brochure with cactus front cover, and homes on the back

Data shows that print used in tandem with digital marketing is one of the most effective sales strategies as the two mediums strengthen and reinforce each other. A study by InfoTrends found that 66% of direct mail is opened, and 56% of consumers who respond to direct mail go online or visit a physical store. A recent article in SFGate offers some great tips to sync your print and digital marketing efforts:

Place QR codes on print materials.

Provide digital opt-ins for direct mail.

Include social media reviews and comments on print materials.

Include hashtags and calls to action on print materials.

Although digital and print marketing take different forms, They work together to engage customers and keep your brand at the top of their minds.

It isn’t game over for print marketing. The game has only changed.”

The game has changed regarding print marketing strategies. When you discover the power of fusing “low-tech with high-tech,” you will separate yourself from the homebuilders who made the mistake of transitioning to 100% digital marketing.

Print is particularly effective where there is a physical customer presence – In industries where customers interact in person, such as model home sales offices, print materials provide tangible takeaways. Homebuilders can leverage brochures, direct mail, and high-quality printed floor plans to keep their homes top of mind for buyers who may not be ready to purchase immediately.

Print Remains Relevant in the Digital Age – As digital marketing becomes more saturated, print marketing offers brands a way to cut through the noise. As digital marketing becomes more easily ignored, physical marketing materials command attention, creating a lasting impression.

Moreover, print campaigns should be fully integrated with digital efforts. Rather than treating print as an afterthought, homebuilders can maximize impact by designing campaigns that blend the strengths of both mediums. Brochures, mailers, even print ads should include QR codes, personalized URLs, or augmented reality elements that direct potential buyers to interactive experiences online. Instead of evaluating print and digital separately, builders should use KPIs that measure how both contribute to lead generation and engagement.

Why Use a Builder-Specific Printing Company?

The challenge builders face that is unique to our industry is the weekly sales cycle. From week to week, home prices may change, lot availability changes, and options may vary. The typical strip-mall printer is not equipped to automate this process. Outhouse built their business to serve a single industry – HOME BUILDING. We do all work in-house, from CAD for your construction documents to print materials for your sales centers. This allows all teams, including architectural, rendering, graphics, interactive, and print, to work in tandem. By doing so, we create accurate, up-to-date print materials that are consistent and coordinated with your digital marketing assets. Utilizing the latest technologies, we print and deliver materials on time every week, on the builder’s schedule. Challenge solved – you send us your edits, and we coordinate these changes across all platforms.

Professional Artwork Creation: Outhouse provides clients with the considerable advantage of having drafting and rendering services on-site, allowing coordination with the development of their artwork for all printed materials. This coordination offers clients superior accuracy, faster turnaround times, and lower overall costs.

Coordinated File Management: Another advantage is the ease of managing and coordinating all created artwork with professional digital file and asset management. All artwork is kept up-to-date, consistent, and coordinated between city design reviews, printed sales materials, large format displays, and interactive web products and services.

Superior Print Quality: Superior brand standard quality and consistency every time on every product is only possible with the coordination, color calibration, and production of all graphics, printing, and display under one roof. Unlike a mass-market printer like Vista Print, Outhouse is not a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) printer. We believe that good enough is never good enough, and we have the magnifying glasses to prove it! On rare occasions when colors are incorrect or print quality is not up to snuff the first time off the press, we recalibrate and rerun the job.

Builder-Specific Delivery: Unlike many industries, home building has a weekly sales cycle, and having your print delivered on time is critical. Outhouse understands this. We meet your deadlines your way on your weekly sales cycle.

Woodside Homes brochure with three homes

The bottom line is print marketing still plays an integral role in new home marketing and sales. There’s a reason the Outhouse Interactive Floor Plan has a save button. It allows prospective homebuyers to save their customized floor plans and print them out for further review.

What about younger generations? Retail Focus Magazine tells us that print is 30% more memorable than digital. This applies to all age groups. You need look no further than nightclubs which hand out leaflets advertising upcoming events, and university welcome packs to know that print still appeals to young people. The magazine also notes the best campaigns are when print and digital work alongside each other instead of trying to compete. A younger audience may be digitally savvy, but they still appreciate a well-thought-out hard copy campaign.

Although any printer can give you a halfway decent brochure, only a company like Outhouse coordinates your CAD, rendering, and interactive projects with your print materials and sales office displays. Even if our print pricing is a bit higher, you will save significantly more overall through efficiencies in coordination.

Woodside Homes floor plan — *When you update a plan, Outhouse coordinates the changes across CAD, print, and all digital marketing assets.*

Is 2025 the Year to Break Out of the “Home Builder Box?”

February 7, 2025
By Jim Sorgatz

There are many brilliant people here at Outhouse, and one of them is our content creator and social media manager, Tabitha Warren. An enthusiastic advocate for the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, Tabitha made the bold decision to leave her full-time job as a tax accountant in her mid-thirties. But instead of retiring, she pivoted to a new career in digital marketing, joining our team at Outhouse while also helping other companies build websites. It wasn’t an easy transition, but through determination, hard work, and a relentless drive to learn new skills, she made it happen. Today, she’s a Canva expert, crafting stunning graphics and managing social media for most of our marketing efforts. What’s even more inspiring is her constant quest for the “next big thing.” Her curiosity and drive to adopt cutting-edge technologies push me, the old guy, to keep learning and reaching for more.

Tabitha Warren in front of husband Anthony

Tabitha Warren, enjoying some free time with husband Anthony

In a way, Tabitha’s journey mirrors the challenges the home building industry faces. As she mentioned in her January 10th post, “Navigating Labor and Supply Chain Issues,” the industry enters another year trying to stay ahead. It’s not a lack of demand—there are plenty of families looking for new homes—but labor and supply chain bottlenecks, coupled with sticky inflation, that are driving home prices higher (thank you, pandemic). And let’s not forget the high interest rates that persist even after a couple of Fed rate cuts (thanks, lenders).

Builders and contractors who adapted quickly survived.

The housing crash of 2008-2010 showed us that builders and contractors who adapted quickly survived. For many, that meant streamlining operations, letting go of staff (not-so-affectionately called “right-sizing”), and embracing new, cost-saving techniques. Some even chose to be acquired by other companies. Many long-time construction workers faced similar crossroads, and those who were willing to adapt to new careers—sometimes temporarily—are the ones who have thrived today.

The reality is, like the stock market, the home building industry is volatile. It’s a constant roller coaster ride with high highs and low lows, and rare are the moments when things are smooth sailing. The key to surviving and thriving? Being agile. Builders who can pivot quickly, streamline processes, adopt new methods and technologies, or even revert to time-tested strategies when necessary will be the ones who come out on top.

Image of a house blueprint transitioning to 3D exterior rendering

This is exactly why we built the Outhouse CAD department with this roller coaster in mind. Many homebuilders already rely on us for renderings and interactive tools, so it only makes sense to put our 30+ years of CAD expertise to work and help with drafting services. Here’s how outsourcing your drafting to us can benefit you:

• Uniformity for the Field Crew: Our approach ensures that your plans maintain a consistent look and feel across the board, no matter who the designer is.
• Compatibility is Key: Our 2D plans integrate seamlessly with other Outhouse services or external consultants—no hassle, just smooth collaboration.
• You Own the CAD Files: Whether you build one home or a hundred from a single set of plans, the CAD files are yours to keep.
• Accelerated Delivery of Marketing Assets: We can produce your interactive floor plans, site maps, virtual tours, visualizers, renderings, and brochures simultaneously, allowing you to hit the market faster and more cost-effectively.

Embrace the future (or more precisely, the present) with 3D photorealistic renderings, 360-degree virtual tours, and interactive floor plans.

If your website still sports black-and-white stick drawings and static floor plans and site maps, it’s well past time to think outside the box. Embrace the future (or more precisely, the present) with 3D photorealistic renderings, 360-degree virtual tours, and interactive floor plans. Interactive tools are far more engaging than static images—they allow homebuyers to digitally add structural options, rearrange furniture, and even take virtual walks through rooms with integrated VR hotspots. These experiences help families emotionally connect to your homes, turning casual browsers into serious buyers. Plus, interactive features are proven to increase the time visitors spend on your site, which often leads to more sales. In today’s tech-savvy market, these tools aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re essential. Younger homebuyers, especially, love the gamified, interactive experiences.

Outhouse.net excels at providing all the digital and print marketing assets that today’s homebuyers expect when shopping for new homes, including 3D renderings, virtual tours, visualizers, interactive floor plans, and interactive site maps for your website. And we don’t stop there—we also offer interactive kiosks, print materials, large format signage, and display options for sales offices.

Looking for more ways to expand your horizons? The International Builders Show in Las Vegas, happening February 25-27, is a fantastic place to explore the latest in construction technology and trends. If you’re attending, make sure to stop by and say hello to Outhouse principals and our OSC partner Blue Gypsy Inc. in Sales Central, West Hall W311. We’ll be sponsoring coffee and snacks throughout each day, and we’d love to meet you. All are welcome—even if you have a floor pass only!