4 Key Considerations When Building a New Home

If you’ve been renting for a long time to save up money for your own home, or you know it’s time to upgrade your current property for something bigger or new, you might be keen to build a house in 2021 or 2022. There are so many factors to consider during this kind of project that it can be overwhelming.

However, always pay as much attention to the internal elements of the abode as you do to how it will look from the outside. Here are four key considerations to focus on as you plan your new place.

The Right Layout

Create a user-friendly layout for your property that works for you and your family and other potential buyers if you plan to sell the home in the coming years. It’s best to design a flexible floorplan that you can set up according to how you want to live as your needs change. If you have rooms you can adapt for different uses, such as bedrooms that could also be home offices or media rooms, that’s a plus.

It’s wise to stick bedrooms well away from the front door, so there aren’t disturbances from people ringing the bell when you’re trying to rest. Put your kitchen close enough to your garage, too, so you don’t have to trek groceries and other items too far from the car. Plus, you may want to install a boot room near the back door to minimize the mess that gets tracked into your home by your children and pets.

If you work from home and sometimes entertain clients or have staff members coming into the office, consider setting up this area on the side of the property or elsewhere that enables you to create a separate entrance. Also, it helps to have a powder room located not far from your entertaining spaces since you won’t want your guests to walk far or go past bedrooms or other potentially messy spots to go to the bathroom.

Storage Space

These days, no matter the size of your family, storage space is vital in a home. When building, you have the perfect opportunity to incorporate the appropriate amount of closets, built-in drawers, etc., so spend plenty of time thinking this aspect through. Look for areas where you can add hidden storage and additional drawers to maximize space to put things away and minimize clutter and the stress that comes from it.

Make your built-in or walk-in closets and linen cupboards bigger than you think you might need, and do the same with your kitchen pantry, drawers, and other options. Utilize wasted space where you can, too, such as the areas under stairs, in vaulted ceilings, or basements.

Heating and Cooling Appliances

Another important thing you’ll want in your new house is the proper heating and cooling options. It’s easier and cheaper to plan for appliances during the build stage than add them later, in most cases, so don’t leave this too late. You want to be able to move straight into a property that’s nice and comfortable, temperature-wise.

You might like to install ducted HVAC throughout your home or add separate reverse-cycle wall units in different zones. Plus, it’s worth buying fans so you don’t have to run more expensive air conditioning in the warmer months. There are many visually appealing products on offer these days, such as a flush mount ceiling fan if you need a low-profile look or fans with lights built into them. You may also want to incorporate chimneys or other options for romantic open fires or add underfloor heating in bathrooms and beyond.

Smart Home Features and Other Electrical Factors

With more and more functions turning digital these days and smart home gear increasingly available and affordable, now is a great time to get some tech tools installed. As you build your home, consider installing smart appliances, fixtures, fittings, and wiring, among other things.

Also, ensure your new abode has plenty of electrical outlets in every room, as this is something many people undercapitalize on and later regret. Think about all the different spaces of your property where you may need power points, light sockets, or cables added in, such as dining and living areas, bedrooms, offices, garages, outdoor entertaining zones, garden sheds, and more. It’s better, and cheaper long-term, to install more outlets than you think you might need than skimping here.

Building a new home is an exciting but also stressful and costly endeavor. As such, plan out all of the above factors in detail as early as you can so you get the best results possible when the house is ready to move into.