As you start the design work on your new home, you’re probably focused on some of the more obvious things. People tend to pay a lot of attention to the kitchen counters, the flooring, and the general “look” of the home, but there are plenty of smaller things that can make a big difference.
We want you to love your home, so we’ve put together this list of design details you don’t want to forget.
Outlets
Outlets can be far more important than you realize. You don’t want to worry about tripping over extension cords because there’s not a place to plug in your lamp where you want it. Make sure that each room contains enough outlets, and think about the location of those outlets. You might want to include some near the place where you’ll put your bedside tables. It’s nice to have at least one on the kitchen island so that you can use your small appliances. Additionally, ask the builder to include outlets that have USB ports so that you don’t have to lug your charger from room to room.
Cabinet Features
There’s more to your cabinets than their colour and style. For instance, soft-close cupboards won’t make a lot of noise when you’re closing them. Including deep drawers instead of under-counter cabinets makes it easy to store your pots and pans without having to stack them. Ask the builder if your cabinets can have adjustable shelving. This makes it easy for you to customize the height to match your needs without wasting any space.
Towel Placement
When you get out of the bath or shower, you want your towel to be there waiting for you. Look carefully at where the towels will hang. Can you easily grab your towel or do you have to step out of the tub? If you have a separate shower and tub, are there towel hangers near both? If two or more people are sharing a bathroom, is there space for everyone to hang their towels to dry? It sounds silly to think about this, but these are the types of little details that will frustrate you if they’re not there.
Counter Height
You’ll spend a lot of time at your kitchen counters washing dishes and preparing food. The counters in most homes are built for people of average height. If you fall into this range, you’ll have no problems, but those who are far shorter or far taller than average may want to ask about changing the height of the counters. A few inches difference can completely eliminate the ache you get in your back, neck, and shoulders when you do kitchen work.
Closet Organization
Your new home is probably going to have at least one walk-in closet, so think carefully about how you want to organize it. Many people like to include extra shelving in the closet, but you can also have double rods to hang two layers of pants and shirts with an area that has a single rod for longer things like dresses. Remember to think about closet organization in places like the mudroom and pantry as well.
Built-In Storage and Niches
Having places to store your things is the key to keeping a tidy home. When possible, look for ways to include built-in storage in your home. This could be built-in shelving or extra closets throughout the house. It’s also nice to include a few niche areas. These are great places for you to put decorative items that will make the home look put-together.
Lighting
Carefully plan the lighting in your home based on your needs. If you want a hanging lamp over the kitchen or dining room table, make sure that the style and size match your table. In the kitchen, you may want bright lighting in order to see what you’re doing, but you don’t need that kind of lighting in the bedroom. The option of a dim light in the bathroom is nice for nighttime trips because it doesn’t bother your eyes the way a bright light would. Motion sensor lights would also be a nice addition to an area like a mudroom.
Tech Details
We live in a technologically advanced world, and you can take advantage of this when you build your home. In a large home, placing wi-fi extenders in discreet locations can help you access the internet no matter where you are. A smart lock on the door will unlock as you walk up to it with the key, so you don’t have to juggle groceries and keys at the same time. They can even be programmed to only allow certain people in at certain times when you’re not home.
Your home can be beautiful and comfortable if you plan correctly. Think carefully about the design details you want in your home and be sure that the builder includes them.{{cta(‘bc13fff9-06a5-4a00-840e-e1dc7bad40a3′,’justifycenter’)}}