7 Must-Have Features for Your Ideal Home
7 Must-Have Features for Your Ideal Home
Open floor plan living space.
An open plan living space is a design in which the living room, dining room, and kitchen are all open to each other. This type of layout is popular because it allows for easy communication and interaction between family members or guests.
For example, during a party, the people in the kitchen area don't feel like they are completely separated from the rest of the party.
This kind of living space is also beneficial because it provides multiple points of access to natural light. It reduces the number of windows needed and allows for an easy flow of light and traffic throughout the home.
Hardwood floors.
There are many reasons why people like hardwood floors.
One of the biggest benefits of hardwood flooring is that they are easy to clean and maintain. Unlike carpets, which can become stained and matted over time, hardwood floors can be swept or mopped regularly to keep them looking new. Additionally, if a spill occurs on a hardwood floor, it can be quickly and easily wiped up without causing any damage.
They last a long time and are durable. Hardwood floors can last for decades and through many generations of homeowners - which is why they add a lot of value to a home. This helps build up the property in the eyes of future prospective home buyers.
A very underrated but desirable feature of hardwood flooring is that it does a great job to retain heat. This reduces heating and cooling costs by reducing the amount of energy needed to keep the floor warm. If left in the sun during the winter this can make a big difference.
These floors can also be refinished multiple times to the point where they look like all new flooring. Hardwood isn't just an aesthetic preference, it has its very real uses which include lowering energy costs, this is why it is one of the most sought-after interior features.
A walk-in closet.
There are certain features homebuyers associate with luxury. Walk-in closets are one of those desirable home features.
Having a dedicated space for clothing not only makes storage much easier but it makes browsing and selecting clothing items significantly faster and more efficient. Potential buyers tend to seek those out only in the master bedroom but in upscale homes, a walk-in closet can be a feature for every bedroom.
Not all walk-in closets are made equal and entire rooms dedicated to clothes can be rare. These are often substituted for a small space that does not have recessed lighting or an accent wall to present a collection of shoes. A remodel that creates a more luxurious atmosphere while remaining practical is one feature sure to make a home's value surge in the real estate market.
Though it's far from the same thing, a walk-in pantry follows the same rules but it requires the addition of a proper HVAC system for the room especially if it can be closed off.
Either of those home improvement projects can pay off massively in the event of a sale down the line.
Energy-efficient windows and doors.
Most buyers are becoming more and more conscious of their impact on the environment - and their energy bill.
During the warmer months, energy-efficient windows and doors keep the hot air outside to keep the home at a stabilized temperature. This helps keep cooling costs down as doors and windows are the biggest culprits when it comes to unwanted heat slipping in or out.
These may not be as flashy as the other features listed but in an ideal home, the money saved can go into other things like improving the style of the home or investing in stainless steel appliances. Speaking of which, the kitchen is the next stop.
A modern, up-to-date kitchen.
A kitchen island with seating for casual dining or working on crafts while the kids are doing their homework at the table is something some people see in movies. For others, it's normal.
Many buyers are looking for a new normal that allows them to leave behind some inadequacy that came with their older homes. A new start begins in the kitchen, a place where a family comes together to start and end a day.
Having a top-of-the-line kitchen isn't what makes these moments happen but it definitely helps.
A kitchen island with seating for casual dining or working on crafts while the kids are doing their homework at the table can help gather the family in one area. This is especially helpful in open floor plans where it's easier for people to get scattered throughout the main living area.
A bigger kitchen sink can make doing the dishes much easier and more ecological by reducing the amount of water needed to rinse lathered dishes.
This is all without mentioning things like double ovens for when you need to cook large meals. New or almost new appliances are one more thing that new home buyers don't need to replace when they move in. These new appliances also tend to be more energy-efficient and help reduce utility costs in the long run.
A deck or patio.
A deck is a perfect place to entertain and one of the many exterior features that buyers seek out actively.
The homeowners can enjoy more privacy without having to give up on cozy outdoor areas where they can enjoy natural light and fresh air. On warm summer evenings, the soft glow coming from the house makes a chair on a patio the perfect place to snuggle up with a good book.
A deck or patio also perfectly complements a beautiful garden, allowing everyone in the family to enjoy the work of the member of the family with a green thumb.
A dedicated reading nook.
This one might be a little more niche than the others but if you have a reader in the family then a nice reading area with plenty of light, cushions, and quiet is the height of luxury.
Bay windows feel like they were made for reading nooks, bonus points if it sits in a secluded area of the house with a nearby shelf filled to the brim and more. The location of the nook is a tricky one because it needs to gorge on natural light but cannot be too exposed from the common areas of the home. This is why finding a good one feels like stumbling upon a buried treasure for any avid reader.
Clever storage solutions could also house blankets and compartments that hold drinks - or tissues when the reader's favourite character inevitably bites the dust.
This is far from an exhaustive list, so here are some more examples.
If this list clued you into anything it's that the must-haves for your ideal home should be things that fit your lifestyle.
Some people love their cars and a garage that's more than three walls and a remote-controlled door can be the missing piece they are looking for to truly feel like their house is their ideal home.
The same goes for those that love to entertain but don't have an outdoor kitchen that can keep a party going uninterrupted even in the Fall.
A den in a quiet corner of the home that can be turned into a home studio or a sun-drenched solarium for the plant lovers in the family can make all the difference when it comes to buying the home or not.
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