Consider these 4 features for your custom home design

15 Feb Consider these 4 features for your custom home design

Designing a custom home? One of the best ways to create a custom home design that best fits your family’s lifestyle is to include specialized rooms and features that go beyond the standard bedroom and living room.

From ensuites to smart home tech gadgets, here are four features you may wish to include in your custom home.

Four of our favourite, on-trend features for custom home design

1. Ensuites for everyone

Photo credit: Hometalk

Do you suffer through sibling bathroom squabbles? Are there lineups for your shower at your home? Are you and your family always running late in the mornings?

The latest trend in custom home design has you covered because it is an ensuite bathroom for every bedroom.

Yes, that includes children’s rooms.

Simple half-baths go a long way toward making mornings run more smoothly in your home. But when everyone has their own full ensuite, you’ll really notice the difference. More bathrooms will likely have an excellent effect on your home’s resale value as well.

2. Ornate garage doors

Photo credit: Home Decorating GURU

Ornate garage doors are a simple custom home design feature that can change the whole feel of your house’s exterior. Ornate garage doors are also unusual enough that they are sure to garner attention and instant curb appeal.

So what kind of garage doors are available? Everything from elaborately carved wood to chic, modern metal designs.

For those wanting a lower key version of this feature, consider a unique front door, or door hinges that stand out.  

3. Cover up

Photo credit: Calendar Garden

The great outdoors are good for your health and can be very relaxing, but in Vancouver, the weather is likely to literally rain on your parade – or any outdoor event.

This can make an uncovered back patio more frustrating than fun.

For your custom home design, add a covered patio. It makes a cozy, sheltered place to watch the rain fall on wet days. For those who burn easily, a covered patio makes it easier to enjoy being outside on sunny days. Consider a retractable cover or a half-covered patio for more versatility.

When considering your patio cover options, check with your home designer, as a covered patio does count towards your home’s total allowable floor area. If you have already maximized your square footage you will need to revise your plans.

However, a patio with a retractable cover does not count toward your home’s square footage.

4. Smart home tech

Photo credit: Graytek

The best way to make life easier? Automate your home. High tech homes can be simple, with only a few options like voice-activated lights, or they can be completely integrated. If you are new to high tech options, take a look at Google Home, Amazon’s Alexa, or Google’s Nest. All three allow you to do things like adjust your thermostat with your smartphone, see who is ringing your doorbell on your tablet, or even ordering your groceries online for you. If you do not have a clear sense of the technology you want to use, that is no problem. Just speak with your custom home designer about what you want your house to be able to do and they can advise you on how to make that a reality.

Remember that custom home design is all about flexibility

These four custom home design features are here to inspire you, but there are a range of other options outside of them. Options that can make your home more functional, show your style, or even speak to who you are. So let your imagination run wild. Consult with your home designer. Take the time you need to create the custom home design of your dreams. Remember, this is the chance to create your own, personal paradise.