How to Design a Forever Home

You’ve probably heard the term “forever home” before, but you might not be sure what it means or how to design one. Essentially, a forever home is one that you can live in forever! That means that it can accommodate you and your family’s changing needs throughout all stages of life. Since building long-lasting homes is our specialty at Hanson Builders, we’ve put together some tips for how to design your very own forever home.

Leave Room to Grow

This is one of the most important factors in building a forever home, especially if you plan on expanding your family. If you hope to have more kids or anticipate moving your elderly parents in someday, make sure you have enough space for everyone.

You should also plan spaces for work or hobby activities. With the rise of work-from-home culture, a home office space is essential, even if you don’t currently work from home. And if you enjoy space-consuming hobbies, you’ll be glad to have an extra room to tinker or store your collection in.

Speaking of storage space, you’ll want to have plenty of it, especially if you have kids. Plan for cubbies to stow toys in and drawers to reduce clutter. Make sure your closet has enough room for a sizeable vacuum cleaner. Also, consider expanding your garage or mudroom design to make space for extra vehicles or sports equipment.

The most important thing is to design a home and floorplan that will make sense for your family’s lifestyle and rhythms. Whether that’s an open floorplan with plenty of communal space or a design featuring plenty of private rooms for peace and quiet is totally up to you.

Create Adaptable Spaces

As kids grow up and your needs change, you’ll benefit from rooms that can easily be converted for different uses. That’s why it can be so useful to build flexibility into every room design. Consider your kids’ bedrooms. What will you use them for once your kids have moved out? Office spaces, storage, guest rooms?

Bonus rooms are popular because their purpose can be altered depending on your family’s stage of life. It may begin as a playroom for young kids, then evolve into a study space for teenagers, and finally a home office.

If you plan on moving your elderly parents in someday, adding a room that can become their bedroom is also a practical idea.

Consider Aging in Place

If this is to be your forever home, it needs to remain comfortable and accessible as you age. That means a livable first floor should be a priority. Build a full bathroom and primary bedroom on the first floor, or a room that can be converted into a primary bedroom in the future. The first-floor bathroom should also include a walk-in shower, grab bars, and paddle-style faucet handles. You should also consider locating the laundry room on the first floor to avoid long trips up and down the stairs.

Other age-friendly features can be placed throughout the house, such as lever-handle doorknobs, flush thresholds, wide hallways, and accessible storage.

Use Sturdy Materials

If you want your home to last, you should incorporate materials that are easy to clean and resistant to wear and tear. Hardwood and stone will last for many years, and they hold a timeless beauty that helps them outlast trendier materials. Leather furniture is elegant and easy to wipe down, making it perfect for enduring the spills and messes of family life. If you have young kids or plan to, avoid furniture with sharp edges and hard corners, which can prove hazardous during playtime. Consider non-slip tile floors, which are easy to clean and safe for both young kids and older adults.

Build Your Forever Home with Hanson Builders

Your home should last you a lifetime! And when you build with Hanson Builders, we’ll make sure your home meets all of your family’s evolving needs. Whether you want to include extra space, adaptable rooms, age-friendly features, or especially durable materials, we’ll work with you to bring your vision to life.