1: Storage
Look Beyond Bedroom Closets
Your home needs more than just bedroom closets. Where will the vacuum, broom, linens, and cleaning supplies live? A dedicated utility closet will give you peace of mind and keep clutter out of sight. If you have a Mechanical Room for your water heater or HVAC, consider making that room big enough to store other items, such as holiday or seasonal décor, tools, and more.
Pantry
If you have a large family, love to cook, or entertain guests frequently, consider what size pantry you need for functional storage. A pantry can be a utility cabinet, a small closet with shelves, or a larger, walk-in space.
Attic/Crawlspace
If applicable to your floor plan, utilize your non-heated spaces. Locate an attic access with pull-downs stairs or a crawlspace door that is easy to get to. Add switched lights and a floor covering so you can store smaller items or bins that are important but not frequently used.
2: Electrical Design
Plan Ahead
Having a thoughtful electrical plan will save you time and headache during your build. Think about decorative lighting, utility lighting, ceiling fans, switches, and outlets. Do you want sconces above mirrors or beside mirrors in your bathrooms? Do you want pendants over your Kitchen island, or a chandelier in your Living room? Locate recessed lighting in areas where you need bright light. Plan for undercabinet lighting in the Kitchen or other areas where utility lighting is needed.
Light Switches
To create a functional switch layout, visualize how you will move and function daily in your space. Identify which lights need to be turned on from more than one location. Additionally, try to keep ganged switches to a reasonable number (5 or less). Otherwise, it will be challenging to remember what light or feature each switch turns on. Consider split switches for items like ceiling fans with lights and lighted bathroom fans. The visual of a split switch will also help you identify what that switch is for.
Outlets
Other than the outlets required by code, think about where you want additional outlets to maximize the functionality of your home. Outlets aren’t just for walls; they can be utilized on the floors and ceilings also. For walls, identify bed walls in each bedroom for nightstand outlets, plan for wall mounted TVs so outlets can be hidden behind, consider any 200V needs such as a hot tub, car charger, or major power tools, etc. For floors, consider furniture placement in the Living Room or by a wall of open railing. For ceilings, plan ahead for entertainment systems or string lights for the exterior. Lastly, determine if you want any outlets controlled by a wall switch.
3: Utilities
Exterior Drainage
If your lot or concrete driveway slopes towards the front of your house, plan for additional, proper drainage to prevent water damage. Ensure all gutter drains are properly sloped away from your home and add a driveway grate if needed.
Interior Drainage
Include a floor drain and/or pan under your water heater and HVAC to prevent a potential leak from damaging your home. Consider other areas that you want leak protection and consider installing a smart water leak detector, which often requires an outlet near the source.
Gas
Consider where you need and want gas lines. If desired, plan for fireplaces, BBQ grills, outdoor entertainment, gas appliances, and a generator. Some people opt to add a gas drop to their Kitchen electric range or cooktop in case they want gas in the future.
HVAC
It’s worth investing in a more energy efficient HVAC system on the front end to save you money on energy bills later. Consider what kind of climate you live in and ask an expert what they recommend for the best system suited to your home and environment.
4: Flex Spaces
The Room that Grows with You
A “flex space” is a room without a designated purpose, ready to adapt to your changing life—it can be a home office today, a playroom tomorrow, and a guest room down the line.
Future-Proof Your Layout
Over time, people’s lifestyles change. While some families grow, others move towards retirement. Consider age-in-place features, such as prepping for grab bars, zero-entry showers, a spare bedroom on the main floor, or handicap accessible features.
Maximize Every Nook
Think beyond four walls. An under-stair space can become a closet or reading nook, a wide hallway can house a desk or bookcase, and a finished basement portion can be a home gym.
5: Light and Color
Paint Samples
If you are unsure about a paint color, get larger paint color samples, such as sheets or peel and sticks to test a color in your space before committing. Compare colors near each other together to ensure you have chosen complementing hues.
Flatter Your Reflection
In rooms where you spend time getting ready and have mirrors, it’s important to consider the paint colors. Opt for warmer, more neutral tones that won’t cast unflattering color reflections on your skin.
The Light and Color Relationship
Natural light and bulb colors will impact how a color appears on a wall. A dark color can feel inviting in a room with windows but oppressive in a smaller space with no natural light. Warmer bulbs often feel more inviting, while cooler bulbs feel more utilitarian. If you are unsure of how light will affect the paint or stain color in a room, place a sample in a space with lighting similar to yours.
