Designing and building your new home from scratch is an exciting and rewarding process that give you the opportunity to build the your dream home to your exact vision and specifications.
Whether you choose to work with an architect to create a floor plan from scratch or decide to modify an existing, the design phase is the heart of a custom home building. Two questions to ask yourself during the design process are:
- How will I use the different spaces in my floor plan?
- What new home building features should I include in my floor plan to add an extra touch of comfort and luxury to every day?
No two custom homes are alike, so the answers to the first two questions are different for every homeowner. But when it comes to the latest home features you should consider for your new home, our design team has you covered. From unique accessories to making space where you need it most, here are ten ideas for must-haves when building a custom home in 2021.
1. Outlets in Walk-In Closets
Make getting ready and charging accessories easier by adding outlets to the wall or central island in your walk-in closet. During your electrical walk-thru of your custom home, you get to choose where you want to locate outlets. Place a receptacle in an oversized closet so you can watch the news while you get ready for your day or have easy access to your smartwatch when putting on jewelry.
2. Wall-Mounted Pot Filler
No chef's kitchen is complete without a pot filler above the cooktop! Whether it's cooking pasta or lobster, lugging a pot from the sink can be a messy or difficult job if it's too heavy. Over the last year, novice home cooks have had a chance to brush up their skills, so if pandemic baking and cooking has turned into a new hobby, we recommend installing a faucet with an articulating arm above the stove.
3. Second-Floor Laundry
Piles of bed linens and dirty gym socks no longer linger when you can just walk down the hall and pop them in the wash. The quieter and more compact washer and dryers are ideal for laundry stations on the second floor or just off the main bedroom. During the design stage, look for walls where the plumbing will likely be run for bathrooms and locate an additional laundry station to complement a primary laundry room on the main floor. You can use the time saved by staying caught up on laundry to treat yourself as a thank you for thinking ahead!
4. Integrated, Whole-House Sound
Listen to your favorite homebuilding podcast after working out in your home gym and move to the kitchen. Or move the party outside without missing a beat of the perfect playlist. When building your custom home, design it to accommodate a whole-house sound system.
If your sound system is integrated with smart home technology, you can even create scenes with automated lighting and music. Your whole house sound system can send you off in the morning with the information you need and welcome you to a calm and comfortable home at the end of the day.
5. Climate-Controlled Wine Storage
Having wine ready to go, at precisely the right temperature is the dream for the end of a long day and a must-have for anyone who loves to entertain. But you don't have to trudge to the recesses of the wine cellar to get that perfect sip any longer! A climate-controlled storage room on the main level, adjacent to the family or dining room, is on-trend and a must-have if you're designing and building your new home.
Want more inspiration for building your new home, check out our Ultimate List of Must Haves When Building a New Home - Updated for 2024!
