Features to Consider When Building a New Home

Building a new home is an opportunity to include the features you always wished you had and the ones you’ve never thought of before. From subtle design flourishes to whole rooms, these custom home elements can make your life so much easier and increase your home’s value. You may not find many of these in a preowned or older house, either.

Upstairs Laundry Room

Laundry rooms are often found in the basement or on the main floor. But placing laundry upstairs near your bedrooms can save a lot of time and energy by reducing trips up and down the stairs. No need for a laundry chute, either.

Built-In Shelves

Incorporating built-in shelves, desks, and even tables or benches can save time and money on furniture shopping and creates an elegant, seamless look in your house. Consider adding shelves in bedrooms, living rooms, or anywhere else you may want to maximize space or add a little decoration.

Large Mudroom

Why try to fit all your coats, shoes, and boots in a small closet when you can build a mudroom to comfortably store all of it? Mudrooms are especially useful during the winter, when you tend to track in snow and salt and need a place to keep your extra layers on hand. Consider adding lockers or cubbies for sports equipment and gym bags, too.

Accessible Outlets

This may not be the first feature you think of when dreaming up ideas for your new home, but planning to have outlets in convenient places around the house will make your life much easier. Consider where you’ll spend the most time, where you plan to have furniture or appliances, and where you wish you had outlets in your current home. Including outlets inside drawers or cabinets is also a great idea.

Spacious Garage

How many vehicles do you plan on storing in your garage? Do you need space for an RV, snowmobiles, or ATVs? If you like to spend a lot of time in the garage, it may be a good idea to incorporate a dedicated workspace for various projects, as well as heating and air conditioning. If you plan on driving an electric vehicle or just want to raise your home’s value, an EV charging port is also a must.

Large Windows

Make your home feel more connected with the outdoors by adding floor to ceiling windows, skylights, or glass sliding doors. Natural lighting can help you save on energy bills, provide scenic views, and improve physical and mental health.

Sport Court

A personal gymnasium is the perfect recreation center for kids and adults. Add a basketball hoop, small nets for soccer or hockey, exercise equipment, or a foosball table.

Get Inspired

Wondering what some of these features may look like, or looking for more ideas for your new home? Visit our Inspiration gallery to see interior and exterior photos of homes we’ve recently built for families like yours.