Adding must haves to your home

Trends and cool gadgets I'm seeing in new and remodeled homes!

Whether you are building, remodeling, or looking for you next home. These are things to think about adding or looking for in your next home!

Of course, adding all of these upgrades at once can be spendy, so make sure you prioritize the things you use most and make those upgrades first. However, I suggest leaving space for other upgrades that you could update in the future!

#1 - Home upgrades

• Vaulted ceilings.

• Upgrading insulation.

• Flooring - upgrading to nicer flooring can it last longer. (especially if you have kids and dogs)

• Carpet padding. Some think upgrading your carpet is where it's at, but the softness comes from padding in my opinion.

• Upgrading windows, adding energy efficient windows is worth the money and will be cheaper in the long run. Black window frames are also an upgrade I would opt for!

• Add the extra window, natural light is key.

• Adding fire places, an easy way to cozy up a home in my opinion. (upgrade to a stone fireplace for a higher end look) Honestly if I could have a fireplace in the living room upstairs and down, my bedroom, and back patio that would be perfect.

• Splurge for the maintenance free features, such as your deck, windows, gutters, and siding.

• Plant trees, something that you wouldn't really think of but having some privacy and trees planted gives your house a homier feeling.

• Turning the attic into a room (for storage or hangout) with a walk out patio.

• In your plans go for the big front porch for a beautiful entrance.

• Make space for a large storage room in the basement.

• Built in garage storage for bikes, toys, tools, etc. (finish above the garage for extra storage)

• French doors added to your office or to your porch area, for a fancy feel.

• Adding a screen porch or sunroom.

• If you're building or looking to remodel open layouts give a house a bigger feel, not separating rooms such as living areas and formal dining.

• Leave room for a home office space, if you need the bedroom space add a murphy bed!

• Game/movie room downstairs so the kids and husband don't take over your living room. I also suggest adding a second dishwasher and refrigerator in this area.

• Soft close drawers throughout home.

• Workout space or room, I suggest not adding it off the master in case your older kids want to use it themselves or with friends (cork flooring is a cool idea for this room)

• Add a kid's playroom with a hidden door, fun for the kids and hides the mess!

• While I'm on the topic of hidden doors, I'm also a fan of adding a hidden door to the mechanical room.

• Something as simple as adding brick or stone outside your home.

• Change out outdated railings.

#2 - Main bathroom must haves

• Double vanity.

• Deep/Soaker tub.

• Walk in shower with NO glass - glass has been said by many to be too hard to keep clean.

• Opt for larger tiles, means less grout to clean.

• Separate tub and shower.

• Separate toilet room so you can poop in peace.

• Extra drawers and storage, trust me you'll use it.

• Adding a window for natural light if you can.

• Heated floors........ not a want, but a need.

• Extra hidden outlets, such as in drawers and under cabinets.

• Linnen closet inside bathroom, for all those times you forget a towel. You can also store cleaning supplies and such.

• A designated place or buit in for a laundry hamper.

• Towel warmer.

• His/her closets. (TIP: add built in luggage storage)

#3 - Double bathroom sinks not just in the main bath

Guest or kids' bathroom must.

TIP: If you do not plan on doing a mudroom, will you need a shower head attachment that removes from the wall in extra bathrooms for dogs and kiddos?

#4 - Kitchen hacks

• Hidden door to your extra-large pantry, adding features of a butler's pantry taking it to the next level such as a mini fridge with extra drinks for the kiddos. Adding shelving and lots of storage for food and appliances.

• Once you add a "Costco" door from garage to pantry, you will never go back.

• Motion sensor light in pantry is also a necessity in the pantry along with a window for natural light.

• Take your panel hiding to the next level with appliances such as the refrigerator to make the kitchen look seamless. Splurge for the extra-large refrigerator, mine is packed full with only 2 people living in the house I can't imagine it having a family.

• You can also hide things such as your garbage and recycling bins.

• Place your microwave lower in a hidden cabinet, making it easy for the kiddos to use.

• Add cabinets that extend to the ceilings.

• Drop down hood vent is a sweet look and good for ventilation.

• Instead of rummaging through a spice cabinet, add a pull out spice rack.

• A trend that I'm loving is adding an open shelve or two by the sink or stove.

• For all my fellow short people, adding a pull-out stool hidden in the cabinets is a cool idea I've seen in custom homes.

• Splurge for the pull out shelving in lower cabinets.

• Add a water dispenser above the stove to fill pots.

• Go for the extra large multipurpose sink that includes a drying rack, glass rinser, rain station for fruits and veggies

• Yes, you need the extra-large kitchen island.

• If your family is outgrowing and 1 oven, go for the side-by-side ranges/double ovens. It looks classy and gives you extra cooking space.

• Soft close drawers.

• Add a charging drawer.

• Something I've only seen in a couple FM homes, but double islands for extra space and storage in busy homes.

#5 - Mudroom/Laundry

• Alot of homes you will see the mudroom w/ laundry area nearby or connected.

• If you're looking to make a smart splurge, go for the 2 laundry rooms, 1 being in the master.

• Dog owners - Built in kennel to mudroom (or garage) that goes directly into fenced backyard.

• Something I've seen become popular with families and their kids is adding a water fountain they can come drink from and run back outside without tracking through the house.

• Sink

• Folding counter

• Closet space for brooms, vacuums, ect.

• Dog washing station that can double for messy kids or husbands.

• A designated place for dog food and eating station.

• If you iron your clothes, make space for an ironing station!

• Built in hampers and basket storage for clean clothes.

• Built in drying rack.

• Cabinet space for items such as laundry detergents or cleaning supplies.

#5 - Electrical needs

• Plug in station under the kitchen counters.

• Eave outlets for string/party and holiday lights.

• Placing outlets accordingly near your fireplace or on your mantel for decorations and tv.

• Outlets added in your pantry or closet for appliances and vacuums.

• Outlets inside bathroom drawers for toothbrushes, hairdryers, etc.

• Adding outlets to bedroom closets.

• Picture your sofa and furniture placement and place outlets accordingly.

• Outlets in your storm shelter or designated safe room.

• Adding a "drop zone" - this could be a good way for kids to not have their phones at bedtime.

• Using outlets with USB jacks.

• Consider upgrading to smart outlets.

• Night outlets in bathrooms and by the stairs. (adding an outlet at each end of the stair set for decor or cleaning)

• Adding sensor lights on the stairs.

• Adding outlets in your office closet to hide the printer in.

• Outlets in your gutters for Christmas lights.

• Alarm keypad in master bedroom as well as by the doors. This way if alarm goes off in the middle of the night and needs to be turned off you don’t have to run through the entire house. It will also show you which zone caused the alarm to go off so you know where to look.

• Lights/fan switch behind nightstands, so you dont have to get out of bed if you forget or don't have remotes. (remote lights/fans are another good option)

• Plug ins on each for each side of the exterior.

• Splurge for the central vac system.

I named a lot!

Not every family or buyer will need or want all of these updates. Each person has different taste and needs, make sure you are tailoring your updates to yours. (if you do plan on flipping and selling a home, think about what most families or humans would want/need).

I recently teamed up with Blue Stone Custom Homes specializing in the FM and Lakes areas, where we work together to make your home goals and dreams come to life!

If you have questions on the building, design, or even remodeling processes feel free to reach out! I love taking spaces, ideas, and needs, helping you turn them into your dream home!