What are your must haves?
Building a custom home allows you to put in the special touches that make the home yours. Do you prefer an open floor plan, is a flex space a must, what about built in storage spaces, the list of possibilities are endless. Check out the article below for the most requested must haves in new home construction.
1. Practicality.
In most areas, the excess of the 90’s and early 2000s has given way to practicality and functionality. Homeowners want enough space and amenities to be comfortable, but they no longer want large, opulent spaces just to say they have them. No more keeping up with the Jones. They want their houses to include only features that they will really use. Many people are completely forgoing specialty spaces like dedicated media rooms and wine cellars, or they’re incorporating those features into other areas of the house. Instead of a wine cellar, they may choose a wine fridge. And Instead of a dedicated media room, they may opt for a large screen tv within a bonus room or family room.
In most areas, the excess of the 90’s and early 2000s has given way to practicality and functionality. Homeowners want enough space and amenities to be comfortable, but they no longer want large, opulent spaces just to say they have them. No more keeping up with the Jones. They want their houses to include only features that they will really use. Many people are completely forgoing specialty spaces like dedicated media rooms and wine cellars, or they’re incorporating those features into other areas of the house. Instead of a wine cellar, they may choose a wine fridge. And Instead of a dedicated media room, they may opt for a large screen tv within a bonus room or family room.
2. Open floor plans.
Open concept home designs continue to be popular among people buying and building homes. Great rooms which combine kitchen, dining and living areas are often requested. There are fewer and fewer requests for separate. formal living and formal dining rooms. Open floor plans enhance interaction among family and friends, and they also make smaller houses feel larger.
GREAT ROOM
3. Flexible spaces.
Homeowners want rooms that can be used in multiple ways, depending on the current and future needs of the family. A room that can serve as a guest bedroom, or a home office, or a play room, or a craft room. Buyers and those building want spaces that are generic enough to be used flexibly when they first move in, and that can be switched up as the needs of the family change over time.
FLEXIBLE ROOM
4. First floor master suites.
Not many homeowners want to climb stairs every time they want to go to their master bedroom, so they want their master to be on the first floor. This is especially important if you are building your forever house where you’ll be aging in place.
5. Transitional design.
Transitional design combines some traditional elements with some contemporary elements. Typically you have the timeless elegance and detail of traditional design, along with the clean, simple lines of contemporary design. So, you might include crown molding and wainscoting, like you would in a traditional home, but the molding will be sleeker, less elaborate. Transitional homes is less "hoity toity" and less ornate than traditional homes, but they are not is cold or minimalist as most contemporary homes.
TRANSITIONAL DESIGN
6. Lots of windows to let in natural light.
Adding ample lighting fixtures is important too, but homeowner are really drawn to lots of natural light. Include as many windows as your budget will allow, even it they are small, inoperable windows, which tend to be less expensive. You can even add a skylight or solar tube if a traditional window won’t work in a certain space. Don’t forget to add windows or skylight to areas like the bathroom and closet so you can see how your hair, make up and outfit look in natural light before you leave the house.
LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT
7. Large kitchen islands.
If the kitchen is the center of the home, the island is the center of the kitchen. It’s where kids do homework, where casual meals and snacks are prepared eaten, where cleaning and prep stations are located, and where guests and family members can sit chat.
8. A dedicated pantry.
Homeowners want a closeted, or walk-in pantry that can hold the majority of their canned and dry goods and convenience foods. Since many people are now opting for some open shelving in kitchens, having a pantry to store food is becoming more sought after.
9. Roomy, walk-in showers that are separate from the tub.
Some homeowners are willing to forgo a bathtub in order to include a roomy shower in their bathrooms. Ideally, showers will have a bench, or at least a ledge, and recesses for soaps and shampoos.
ROOMY SHOWER AND FREE STANDING TUB
10. For those who do want to include a bathtub in their master bathroom, free standing soaking tubs are taking the place of old-school, built in, jetted whirlpool tubs. Jetted whirlpools are often plagued with mold and drainage problems and soaking tubs usually are not. Plus, free standing tubs often look really pretty, almost like bathroom sculpture.
11. Quartz, granite or marble countertops in the kitchen, and in bathrooms, especially the master bathroom. Which stone is most popular varies from region to region.
Ok, POP Quiz, is quartz considered a natural stone or an engineered stone?
The answer is engineered stone. We learned about quartz in episode 33 called Kitchen Countertops 101. Quartz is man made, but it contains about 93% crushed, natural stone that is combined with resins and pigment, so it’s considered an engineered or manufactured stone.
Ok, POP Quiz, is quartz considered a natural stone or an engineered stone?
The answer is engineered stone. We learned about quartz in episode 33 called Kitchen Countertops 101. Quartz is man made, but it contains about 93% crushed, natural stone that is combined with resins and pigment, so it’s considered an engineered or manufactured stone.
MARBLE COUNTERTOP
12. Exhaust fans that are humidity-controlled or motion-sensing.
As people have become aware of how detrimental moisture can be to their homes, homeowners are actually asking about these exhaust fans that will automatically come on when people are in the bathroom, or taking a shower.
13. Mudrooms.
People are requesting a pick-up and drop-off station at the family entrance— usually near the garage. People are looking for mudroom spaces with hooks, cubbies and cabinets that will help keep the family organized. For more details about what to specifically include in a mudroom, take a listen to episode 43 called 14 Unexpected Features to Include in Your Family Foyer—The Mudroom.
14. Energy efficiency.
Today’s, more educated homeowners now know to ask for energy efficient design such as double pane, low E windows, a well-sealed building envelope, ample insulation, LED lighting and Energy Star appliances. People realize that buying, or building a energy efficient home will save them money in their utility bills over time.
15. Programmable thermostats.
According to Enegy.gov, “You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day.” With programmable thermostats, like those from Nest or Honeywell, you can easily set up a program that will automatically lower the thermostat temperature while your family is away at school or work, or at night while you sleep.
16. Blurred indoor-outdoor connections.
I think because of all those HGTV shows that we are inundated with, homeowners expect to have the same amenities and options that they see on TV. And indoor-outdoor spaces are VERY popular on home design shows. In most parts of the country, people are asking for comfortable outdoor living areas that are connected to the inside by French doors or patio doors that can be opened wide so the indoors flows into the outdoors. This is especially nice if you do a lot of entertaining.
17. Low maintenance exteriors.
Homeowners are looking for siding, windows and exterior trim that don’t have to be regularly painted or refinished. There are so many beautiful options that are low, or no maintenance, that homeowners are overwhelming steering clear of natural wood products in favor of vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, brick and fiber cement siding, like Hardie board.
LOW MAINTENANCE EXTERIOR
18. Pet accommodations.
As an increasing number of homeowners consider their pets members of the family, they’re looking for built-in dog washes and litter box spaces and integrated food and water dishes— features that show that the homeowners are concerned with the comfort and care of their pets.
19. Stainless steel appliances.
Stainless steel appliances are still more popular white, black or colorful kitchen appliances. Built-in appliances with cabinetry panel overlays are also sought after, especially in higher end kitchens.
20. Lots of electrical outlets.
The request for more electrical outlets has increased as more family members have the need to plug in and recharge cell phones, tablets and other electronics. Most homeowners want several outlets in each room. A dedicated charging station for family and visitors is a bonus feature that will make your house stand out among the rest.
CHARGING STATION
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