When Marcy Loane, sales and marketing coordinator for Bob Ward Homes in Harford County, made a simple but creative floor plan change in the house she bought from her employer, she never expected to start a trend.

But the 7-by-14-foot walk-in closet that extends from her master bedroom into space over the garage caught the eye of other homebuyers. Now, customers are asking for the extra storage space in their own homes and the "Marcy" closet has become a popular Bob Ward Homes option.

"We love our closet," Loane said. "It's actually one of the best parts of our home. We use it for clothing, linens, suitcases and shoes. We even have a bureau in there for accessories."

Spring is just around the corner, and home shoppers can expect to find some new, popular or trendy features such as "Marcy" closets as well as sun rooms, gourmet kitchens, super baths and country porches in the models that they visit.

They will also be greeted by a growing willingness among more builders to add an oversized closet -- a $4,000 option -- or otherwise alter their home designs to meet the needs of buyers who want more customized living space.

"The big difference homebuyers are going to see this year is the approach to individualization of homes," said Fritzi Hallock, president of MarketSmart, a Owings Mills firm that does market-based consulting, research and analysis for residential real estate.

"Builders are being more flexible," Hallock said. "They have become responsive to the differing needs of buyers."

That might mean offering a floor plan that includes rooms with flexible rather than dedicated uses to serve as anything from a home office, exercise or guest room to a media center or game room.

Flexibility may be built into floor plans so a homeowner can have a home office on the first floor rather than upstairs in a spare bedroom. A loft might be used as a study or sitting room.

To accommodate the growth of multigenerational households, a first-floor powder room could be replaced with a full bath so an adjoining study can eventually be converted into an in-law suite.

For two couples sharing a residence, a builder might make alterations to provide two full master suites on the second floor. Space for future use of a room could be unfinished or partially finished, according to the buyer's wishes.

"Different buyers need and want different things and even the most production-oriented builder will change a floor plan or move a wall," Hallock said. "Buyers don't have to take 'one size fits all' anymore. It's all flexible, additional, changeable, movable space."

Today's homebuyer wants to be able to add an in-law suite, den, study, home office or bedroom, enlarge a eating area or build a sun room, said Ryan Houck, a spokesman for the Ryland Group.

"We give them an opportunity to customize their home," Houck said. "They can give and take some space where they find it necessary."

Getting as much space as possible is a priority for many homebuyers, said Linda Veach, senior vice president at Bob Ward Homes.

"If they only have so many dollars to spend they'll make the house bigger," Veach said. "They want the square footage. They'll forgo brick on the front of the house and put on a sun room instead."

Some townhouse buyers are adding space to the rear of their dwellings with sun rooms, morning rooms and three-story extensions that combine luxury bath, sun room and lower level finished areas, said Bob Coursey, director of marketing for Ryan Homes.

But there are also homebuyers who are sacrificing space for options.

"People are taking smaller square footage but with every bell and whistle from sun rooms to multiple fireplaces to finished rec rooms," said John White, vice president/division manager for Patriot Homes. "They're taking a more complete house with many more options."

And many homebuyers are choosing to concentrate their extra options on the first floor. "They're spending more of their money where they spend most of their time," said Maury Bass, director of sales and marketing for Masonry Macks Homes.

Among the most popular features to look for in new homes this year are:

Sophisticated home wiring

With a specialized wiring package from Bell Atlantic Corp. and IBM Corp., a new home can be wired for: multiple computers, dedicated fax and modem lines, computer networks, security cameras, intercoms, satellite television, home theaters, whole house stereo, multiple phone lines and even baby monitors. Available from many new-home builders, the wiring prepares residences for the latest in Internet, television and audio technology as well as home security and automated climate control. The average cost for the package is $1,500.

Sun rooms

These open, bright and airy rooms have gotten bigger and may serve as a breakfast room, sitting room with assorted plants, second family room, dining area, homework room, music room or sewing room. A sun room may range in price from $9,000 to $25,000.

"A sun room is not just a box added onto the back of a house anymore," said White, of Patriot Homes. "We built 10-by-10-foot sun rooms for years. Now people are asking for 10 by 18. We make it part of the kitchen, maybe using a bigger island to create flow into the sun room. The kitchen becomes more of an entertainment center."

Morning rooms

Some builders distinguish between the popular morning room -- typically an eating area off the kitchen -- and a sun room, which is off the living room and is used as more of a getaway. The cost can range from $8,500 to $17,000.

Gourmet kitchens

The desire for a large and elaborate gourmet kitchen explains the popularity of the morning room, said Debby Coughlan, marketing manager for the Maryland Division of Pulte Home Corp.

"People are expanding the space and features in their kitchens," Coughlan said. "The expanded kitchen area provides enough room for all of the activities of busy families."

The family gathering place often features ceramic tile, breakfast bar, sun or morning room, double wall ovens, cooking top, designer counters, island, stainless steel appliances, cabinet configurations that are set up for display purposes like a china closet, upgraded water purifying systems and hardwood floors.

"People want a nice kitchen as the focal point of their house," said Michael DeStefano, president of Sturbridge Homes.

A gourmet kitchen might add $4,000 to $7,000 to the cost of a standard kitchen.

Smaller living rooms/more "great rooms"

Less frequently used than any other room, the living room has become the dinosaur of rooms of the house, said Coursey, of Ryan Homes. It has been replaced by the family room as the true living room where people gather, he said.

While there has been some growth in the popularity of the "great room," which combines family room and living room, many homeowners are reluctant to eliminate the living room.

"People still are clinging to the concept of wanting a living room, but they are very willing to give on the size to increase the size of the family room," he said. Today's living room may be as small as 10 by 11 feet in a house with a 20-by-18-foot family room.

Higher ceilings

Nine-foot ceilings give a sense of space and grandeur to the first floor.

Palladian-style windows

Today's home has lots of windows, including these arched or half-round windows over the front door which create drama and elegance.

Gas fireplaces

Found in the family room, in finished lower levels and even in the bedroom, gas fireplaces provide ambience with a flip of the switch and none of the mess of firewood.

Ceramic tile inserts in hardwood floors

As hardwood floors gain popularity in the kitchen, powder room and foyer, ceramic tile inserts offer a two-textured look that many homebuyers select for their homes. Easy to clean, durable and practical for areas with a lot of wear and tear, ceramic tile inserts take the place of a rug under the kitchen table or in the foyer. The tiles are often solid colored in the middle with a geometric patterned border. Cost can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Other ceramic tile options

Look for a broader usage of a variety of ceramic tiles from textured to 16-inch squares in foyers, kitchens, sun rooms, morning rooms, conservatories and libraries.

Less wallpaper

Walls are being painted in subtle earth tones, with color in the room coming from art, accessories, window treatments and furnishings.

First-floor master bedrooms with laundry on the first floor

Popular among parents with school-age children as well as parents of grown children who want the option of one-level living if they need it.

Elaborate master suites

These areas needs lots of big closets and an elegant master bath.

Luxury super baths

Large soaking tub with whirlpool jets, separate shower and his-and-hers vanities are popular.

Colonial and country porches

Homebuyers like the country look of a wraparound porch or a small elegant A-frame or flat-roofed covered porch.

"People are going back to what they were comfortable with in their roots and moving out into more country living," said Bass of Masonry Macks Homes. "In the old times, leisure time was spent on the front porch in the evening. So in their mind's eye, big porches are part of what a house in the country should look like."

Three-car garages

Many buyers with two cars like the extra storage space.

Low-rise condos, elevators

There is a significant demand for homes without stairs.

"People are purchasing homes with future needs in mind," said Coursey of Ryan Homes. "They are recognizing that how they use their home today may be different than in the future and they're planning for that now."

Most wanted

Most wanted options for new homes:

1. High-technology wiring

2. Sun rooms and morning rooms

3. Gourmet kitchens

4. High ceilings

5. Palladian-style windows

6. Gas fireplaces

7. Ceramic tile inserts in hardwood floors

8. Luxury super baths

9. Country and Colonial porches

10. Three-car garages