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To keep up with the well-off Joneses, you’ll need to invest in heated bathroom floors, a state-of-the-art sauna, eco-friendly materials and computer-assisted light, heating and security systems.
By Lucy Maher, Forbes.com

You have an elegant gunite swimming pool, mottled granite countertops and a steam shower in your master bath. But in the race for the ultimate home, you’re still behind.

Home trends move fast, especially at the very high end of the market, where new ideas take hold. Whirlpool baths, once a rarity, can be found in many a decent new subdivision. Ditto for double-height living rooms. Stainless-steel appliances are practically standard.

“The move to make the home more spalike is definitely going strong,” says Suzan Globus, a Red Bank, N.J., interior designer and the president-elect of the American Society of Interior Designers. “One of the other trends is creating a seamless integration of technology into the home, making what we call smart homes. We are also seeing an interest in creating sustainable environments.”

Learn more: realestate.msn.com

It’s time for the newest wave of desirables.

Among the current must-haves for very luxurious homes: serene bathrooms with souped-up saunas, towel warmers and heated floors (to bring the spa back home); green elements such as eco-friendly woods and nontoxic building materials; and technology that integrates the controls for lighting, heating, security and other systems.