We plan to build next spring/summer (that is if we get our house sold before then) and while I'm really excited, I'm kind of nervous that I'll forget or not think of something and wish we would have done it differently.
So far, things that I want include: - pantry - double sink in master bath and a deep soaking tub - decent closet space - fireplace
I'm sure I'm forgetting some things. We're looking at 3 bedroom/2 bathroom plans. Layout-wise we want the master bedroom to be on the opposite side of the house as the other bedrooms.
What are your must haves, features and layout preferences?
"You. You and your crazy life. You and your geographic anomaly. You and your drunken lesbianic ways and terrible navigational skills." - ProfArt and her holy baby
You have hit some key items. Also, trash compactor, wine refrigerator or cellar, master toilet separate from bathroom, coat closet, fireplace in all living areas and possibly bedroom, power outlets next to any couch, bed, etc. by which you might need to charge a mobile device, surround sound, built-ins in closet.
Post by Velvetshady on Dec 16, 2013 19:55:36 GMT -5
A Christmas closet in the family/living room. The back wall floor-to-ceiling shelves for tubs of decorations and enough room to wheel the tree in and out. (I'd end up using a couple shelves for Halloween stuff).
Another "design" must I have is a KitchenAid cabinet (lifts out when you want to use it, lower into the cabinet when you aren't.
DH and I have thought about litter box "closets/niches" and a separation room for sick kitties/new kitties/fostering for our future home design. So no, not just you.
within reason? large kitchen area with lots of seating that is open to dining and living, 3-season room, more than one full bath, lots of closet space, decent sized bedrooms.
Post by rosiedozie on Dec 16, 2013 19:58:31 GMT -5
A kitchen that makes the most out of all the space - well-thought out cabinets, a good pantry, etc. A double oven, a big fridge, and counter space for a few appliances.
DH and I have thought about litter box "closets/niches" and a separation room for sick kitties/new kitties/fostering for our future home design. So no, not just you.
Nope, not just you...there was an unfinished closet within our laundry room that I had DH put drywall up in (so they couldn't get around behind walls and what not) and then we put a cat door in it...I LOVE IT. It is big enough for DH to get in to change the litter and what not but it isn't a waste of space (it is the space below the stairs)...love it.
I've thought about this alot as I really really want to build. My list is: 1. A master bathroom, bathroom for the kids, and powder room. 2. Walk in closet in the master bedroom. 3. Soaker tub in the master bath 4. Double sinks in the master bath 5. Formal dinning room 6. Mudroom 7. Pantry built into kitchen that looks like a cupboard door. 8. Kitchen island with storage 9. Fireplace that extends from recroom, formal living room to master bedroom. 10. Spare bedroom in rec room
As you can tell, I've thought a lot about this. I'm really sick and tired of living in a house as big as a shoebox
Post by thinkofthesoldiers on Dec 16, 2013 20:01:27 GMT -5
- An exposed basement if at all possible with the lot. - Huge windows. - Pantry. - I actually would like a second kitchen in the exposed basement for when the kids are older and have friends over so that they don't mess up my nicer one upstairs. - A huge laundry room. Perhaps two. (We had two growing up and it made it easier as we got older and doing our own laundry.) - A mudroom. - Walk-in linen closet. - Closet systems that can change/grow with the kids and their needs. They don't need to be super fancy, just adjustable. - Garage space enough for our toys (skis/4 wheelers/whatever) I'm sure there is more. That's what comes to mind immediately.
Post by stephm0188 on Dec 16, 2013 20:08:46 GMT -5
Mudroom that is easily accessible through the garage and front foyer. Would include cubbies for coats, bags, and shoes, a closet for off season coats and things, and a drop spot for mail and charging station. The door from the garage/mudroom must be near the kitchen.
Second floor laundry with wall adjacent to master closet. The hampers in the master closet would tilt out into the laundry room for easy access.
Dedicated broom closet large enough to house vacuum and carpet cleaner. I'd include an outlet in the closet for charging a cordless stick vac.
Outdoor outlets under the eaves for plugging in Christmas lights. Switch would be inside the house. WALLA!
Recess the fridge so it's flush with the cabinetry.
Outlets inside bathroom cabinets for chargers. I prefer having two vanities in the master bathroom vs one vanity with duel sinks.
- An exposed basement if at all possible with the lot. - Huge windows. - Pantry. - I actually would like a second kitchen in the exposed basement for when the kids are older and have friends over so that they don't mess up my nicer one upstairs. - A huge laundry room. Perhaps two. (We had two growing up and it made it easier as we got older and doing our own laundry.) - A mudroom. - Walk-in linen closet. - Closet systems that can change/grow with the kids and their needs. They don't need to be super fancy, just adjustable. - Garage space enough for our toys (skis/4 wheelers/whatever) I'm sure there is more. That's what comes to mind immediately.
Huge windows is also something I forgot to add to my list. I love lots of natural light.
We would like a walk out basement, but it might not work on the land (at least not without a ton of dirt work.) We plan to put 9 foot ceilings in the basement though to make it seem not-so-much like a basement. The basement will be left unfinished initially, but we hope to put some sort of a mini kitchen down there eventually.
- An exposed basement if at all possible with the lot. - Huge windows. - Pantry. - I actually would like a second kitchen in the exposed basement for when the kids are older and have friends over so that they don't mess up my nicer one upstairs. - A huge laundry room. Perhaps two. (We had two growing up and it made it easier as we got older and doing our own laundry.) - A mudroom. - Walk-in linen closet. - Closet systems that can change/grow with the kids and their needs. They don't need to be super fancy, just adjustable. - Garage space enough for our toys (skis/4 wheelers/whatever) I'm sure there is more. That's what comes to mind immediately.
Huge windows is also something I forgot to add to my list. I love lots of natural light.
We would like a walk out basement, but it might not work on the land (at least not without a ton of dirt work.) We plan to put 9 foot ceilings in the basement though to make it seem not-so-much like a basement. The basement will be left unfinished initially, but we hope to put some sort of a mini kitchen down there eventually.
If you can't do an exposed basement with huge windows (see a theme here? lol), make sure you plan to have big easement windows dug and put in. A friend's mom built a few years ago and her basement has wonderful light in the bedrooms because of large windows with window wells that have been dug back. It also makes me feel a lot safer when we are staying with her (she's like a second mom to me) and sleeping in the basement.
Yes to the 9 foot ceilings in the basement.
Make sure to put a dishwasher and at least a range in the basement when you do the kitchenette. It makes it 1000x easier. So put some thought into how you might want it laid out so that the plumbing and electrical can be put in later.
A Christmas closet in the family/living room. The back wall floor-to-ceiling shelves for tubs of decorations and enough room to wheel the tree in and out. (I'd end up using a couple shelves for Halloween stuff).
Another "design" must I have is a KitchenAid cabinet (lifts out when you want to use it, lower into the cabinet when you aren't.
My mom has a friend who did this in her house. So weird to me. I would be sad to not be able to decorate the tree every year.
Are you sure she just doesn't cover the tree after taking the decorations off and then redecorate it every year? My aunt keeps her tree put together in the basement and covered with a sheet, but they take everything off and redecorate each year.
Post by RoxMonster on Dec 16, 2013 20:20:29 GMT -5
Our must-haves were: 2+ car garage walk-in closet (at least one, if not more) storage room inside the house (not the garage) fenced yard, with preferably a privacy fence finished or partially-finished basement 2+ bathrooms
This was my practical must-have list. My dream list would be entirely different.
You have hit some key items. Also, trash compactor, wine refrigerator or cellar, master toilet separate from bathroom, coat closet, fireplace in all living areas and possibly bedroom, power outlets next to any couch, bed, etc. by which you might need to charge a mobile device, surround sound, built-ins in closet.
These are all great ideas. My brother just built last year and they built in surround sound. It is so nice. They even put speakers to their outdoor living space so they can play music outside in the summer when they're hosting.
A Christmas closet in the family/living room. The back wall floor-to-ceiling shelves for tubs of decorations and enough room to wheel the tree in and out. (I'd end up using a couple shelves for Halloween stuff).
Another "design" must I have is a KitchenAid cabinet (lifts out when you want to use it, lower into the cabinet when you aren't.
My mom has a friend who did this in her house. So weird to me. I would be sad to not be able to decorate the tree every year.
I'd still decorate each each, it would just be so much easier to roll it in and out than to close it up in the cover we have and struggle getting it upstairs/downstairs and in and out of the guest bedroom closet each year. My aunt/uncle hid a panel next to their fireplace with a closet/shelves behind to store their tree and extensive Santa collection (like 200+ Santas). They built this house as they hit their 60s so designed lots of things to make maintaining "normal life" easy as they get older. The area also is open behind the fireplace and has all their wiring for electronics/TV with heavy duty outlets.
We opted for using my old 3 foot apartment-sized tree this year because DH dreaded getting the full sized tree to the living room.