Trendmaker Homes has become an exclusive studio for Daltile and Mohawk Flooring, and recently added locally based Graniteworks Countertops. Other manufacturing partners include Marazzi Group tile, Kent Moore Cabinets, Capital Lighting, Delta Faucets and GE Appliances.

"Today's buyers want finishes that look both elevated and neutral, and are low maintenance," said Heidmann. "They've really embraced all of the customized options we've curated through the design studio, especially the durability of quartz countertops and the look of white marble countertops."

All buyers of the to-be-built Trendmaker homes in the Austin metro can leverage the new design center experience including Rancho Sienna, 6 Creeks, Palmera Ridge and Highlands at Mayfield Ranch, and the upcoming community at Meyer Ranch.

"The goal with the design studio is a quality retail-like experience for the homebuyer, emphasizing customer service and experience from the model complex and new home gallery setting to the design studio," Heidmann tells GlobeSt.com. "It helps buyers by giving them access to lots of selections, styles and so forth in one convenient place. They can easily choose from a wide array of options all under the guidance of helpful professionals. Design studios are changing the way people shop for homes and we expect this trend to continue."

According to a TimeTrade state of retail survey report, the lure of a physical store is tied to shoppers' preference of touching and feeling products before they make a purchasing decision, which means that design studios are the best way for buyers to see products before they order materials for a home.