The Ultimate List of “Must Haves” When Building a New Home
When working with a custom homebuilder, you have a chance to create the house of your dreams. There are so many major details you’ve probably already thought of – your ideal kitchen cabinets, the layout of your master bathroom – but what about the finer details?
Take a look at these must-haves when building a custom home. This updated list includes a combination of smaller features that make your home a more enjoyable place to live – and larger design considerations that will make your home more valuable, low-maintenance and energy-efficient.
1. “COSTCO” DOORS & AMAZON PACKAGE SPACES
A new trend we’re seeing is the implementation of Costco doors & Amazon package spaces in homes. Costco doors are small fireproof doors that connect your garage directly to your pantry. They are small pass-through doors that allow you to pass your groceries straight from your car to the pantry.
Amazon package spaces are now becoming a point of conversation – the creation of limited-access alcoves with keypad access to place packages in a dry, off-limits space. Additionally, Amazon provides clients with Amazon “Key for Garage” delivery.
2. LAUNDRY NEAR BEDROOMS
No more lugging dirty laundry to and from your basement. If your master bedroom is on the main floor, consider a main floor laundry room. If the bulk of the bedrooms will be upstairs, consider a small laundry closet for the kids to do quick loads on their own. Many of our clients are placing laundry facilities in their master bedroom closet area – and some have multiple laundry facilities, depending on their home’s layout. Easy access laundry facilities make it easier to get the work done.
3. MUD ROOMS & DOG WASH STATIONS
If you’ve got kids and/or pets, a mudroom is definitely a must. Create a space by a back door that has towel hangers, shoe storage, and a small shower/drain area with a hand-held sprayer. By putting everything you need right by the door, you can make sure muddy shoes get hosed off and wet dogs get dried properly so that your home will remain better protected from tracked-in dirt. As must-haves when building a new home go, this is a universal need for most families with pets, kids, or an active lifestyle. The room can be country casual, downright rustic or even elegant as the photos show below.
4. UNDER-CABINET OUTLETS
If you’re going to spend time and money on creating a beautiful kitchen backsplash, why ruin it with power outlets? Talk to your custom home builder about installing electrical outlets under the cabinets so that they remain hidden from view but are still easy to access for when you need to plug-in appliances.
5. SPONGE STORAGE DRAWER
This is such a simple feature that will make a huge difference in your kitchen’s daily appearance. Take the decorative drawer cover under your sink and make it flip out for quick-and-easy sponge storage. Your sink will be free of soggy sponge clutter and you’ll be making use of previously pointless space.
6. OUTDOOR OUTLETS & MEDIA CONNECTIONS
If you plan on using any sort of power tools, outdoor appliances, or decorations that require a plug, you will thank yourself for thinking ahead and installing plenty of easy-access outdoor outlets. Forget about long, tangled extension cords that create trip hazards and inevitably create an ugly, bright-orange line in your yard. With numerous outdoor outlets, you can easily install outdoor lighting and work on projects outside with much less hassle.
7. BUILT-IN SPEAKERS
Bring on the tunes! If you already know where you want to put the sound system and entertainment center, talk to your custom homebuilder about installing built-in speakers in the room. You’ll save yourself valuable floor or wall space and have the luxury of having your house literally be filled with music. If you want to take your in-home technology to the next level, we encourage you to dig into our Definitive Guide to Smart Homes.
8. BATHROOM DRAWERS WITH OUTLETS
Solve the bathroom clutter problem before it starts. Install a bathroom drawer with built-in storage for personal care appliances like blow dryers, electric shavers, hair straighteners, and electric toothbrushes and also add some power outlets. Not only will this save you the headache of untangling power cords every time you need to use one of these appliances, but it will also keep your sink area clear of charging stations.
