If you’ve decided to build a home, there are some areas to focus on. Because a home’s functionality, layout and design affect your long term happiness, it may be worth it to spend a little extra money on certain rooms, finishes and features. 

In part one of our “Where to Spend Your New Home Dollars” post, we’ll focus on what features you may want to consider most if you’re a busy family and/ or love to entertain. 

Busy Families

For families especially, there are a few features you’ll want to consider to keep everyday life organized and simple. 

Entryways and Mudrooms 

Large entryways and mudrooms tend to be popular with families as they keep dirt and clutter separate from the rest of the home. They’re also perfect for when there are multiple people coming and going as they give you ample storage and organization opportunities.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the ultimate gathering space for many families and for this reason, you’ll need to make sure you have enough room for everyone. This may be in the form of a large dining area or nook and maybe even a roomy kitchen island. Walk-through pantries are also beneficial to freeing up counter space while also giving snacks and any bulk items a designated area.

Main Floor Spaces and Bathrooms

Families will most likely want to look for homes offering an open concept floor plan on the main floor so parents, children, friends and other family members can interact more easily. You’ll also want to ensure the main floor is accessible for aging parents and guests. Consider including a main floor bedroom and adjoining ensuite. Many families find this beneficial because not everyone is forced to share the same main floor bathroom.  

Finished Basements 

Depending on the size of your family, you may be looking for ways to maximize on living space and square footage. Opting for a finished basement is the perfect solution and can add everything from additional bedrooms and bathrooms to secondary great rooms and storage space. 

Lot Size and Shape 

A family should also consider what type of lot they want for their new home. For larger families in particular, pie shaped lots are ideal as they offer large backyards and minimal front yard maintenance. You can also opt for this type of lot in a cul-de-sac which will generally have less traffic than regular streets.

Entertainers

If you love to have friends and family over, a floor plan designed for entertaining is something you may want to think about. Here are a few features you can include to really make your home guest-friendly. 

Entryways and Mudrooms

Once again, entryways and mudrooms are important when it comes to catering to several people at once. This could mean a separate mudroom or an open entryway featuring a large closet as either would be suitable for giving guests a place to put their coats and shoes. You can even talk with your builder about putting in built-in shelving units for even more room.

Kitchen

A kitchen with excellent entertaining features might include a large eat-in island (perhaps with built-in wine rack), a wet bar and a large nearby dining area. Keeping this area as open as possible will allow you to enjoy socializing with others as you cook or prepare drinks. To really take it up a notch, think about investing some money into your countertops and flooring as these can be real show stoppers and add to the value of your home.

Bathroom

Having a bathroom on your main floor will make entertaining easier as well. This way people don’t have to leave the event to go upstairs and use the family bathrooms. If you often host company from out of town, you may even consider including a full bathroom on this level to create further bath or shower space. 

Outdoor Spaces

Look for a home with a patio or deck for delighting your guests on a summer’s day. Consider including a separate barbecue or fire pit area as well as some designated play space for the kids. Including a rear entry door that opens off the kitchen or dining area would also be useful for getting meals from kitchen to patio with no trouble at all. 

Now that you have a better idea of where you might like to spend your hard earned dollars, be sure to look for a builder with flexible floor plan options. A good builder will work hard to ensure your home meets your individual needs and lifestyle.

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