What would or wouldn't you have in your dream house?

[MrsMcTats]

After looking for a new house for several years, we're coming to the conclusion that we may have to build our own. I find this quite terrifying as we have zero experience, but the thought of having exactly what we want (within reason) is very exciting.

I prefer character properties, so would love to build with reclaimed brick and would want it to feel solid and like it had always been there. Wide window sills, oak staircase, hard-wood floors etc. A timeless design that looks beautiful, but is very functional too. We have 3 DC so it needs to be hard-wearing.

So, let's pretend money is no object...help me build our dream home! What elements do you have that you love? Is there anything you regret? What brands would you recommend?

The thing that is difficult to do with a new build, the sense of having grown into its particular bit of landscape, rather than sitting naked in the middle of a bare site like many new houses.

I LOVE:
our massive super king size bed
our big ensuite bathroom with both shower and bath and also double sinks
our garden with astroturf - we can sit out there in any weather
having ensuite bathrooms for teeangers/guests

I WOULD ALSO LOVE:
a pantry
an L shaped sofa in the kitchen
a utility room

I DO NOT WANT:
a quooker boiling water tap
a wet room
a separate dining room
bifold doors from kitchen to garden

I would want a pantry.
Huge doors to open the back of the house into the garden.
Double height glass extension to mix the old with new.
All open plan kitchen/dining/family room apart from a study, a sitting room and laundry room.
Laundry room on the first floor with the bedrooms.
Two staircases (one from the open plan room and one from the hallway, just because).

I had all of those when I was rich and I did own my dream home. Am now poor and rent a shithole!

A big utility and a large boot room.
My utility is small for the size of my house and it annoys me.
Since you have 3 DC I'd recommend extra en-suite at bedrooms and at least one extra bedroom and an office.
Think of when your DC are teens so a sitting are just for them too.

Maid quarters?? 😂😂😂

Definitely no en suite. DH is too stinky for the loo to be anywhere near the bedroom.

I would want:

A proper pantry
A utility room
A games room for DH & DS (or games attic)
Bay windows with reading seats built in
A fitted out cellar with a bar, couches, tv etc
A lovely big, bright kitchen
A proper, separate office / study
A gym room for DH & DS

If I was designing my own house I would want:

a big open plan kitchen/dining/living space - I don't like separation in these key living zones.
a pantry/cold room would be a must have
for me, a climate controlled tarantula room...but I guess that's not a 'most person' desire! haha

@Frangible I totally agree. I'm no gardener, so would like a small 'formal' garden and then a field on from that. If budget allowed I'd like a landscaper to design something appropriate. It would look 'naked' for a while, but hopefully mature trees and shrubs would soon fill in the space.

A lovely view. A veranda. A big bathroom. A good amount of storage.

I would love

• a downstairs toilet
• a utility room
• a veranda
• a balcony
• 2 Reception rooms (one of these could double as a dining room)
• home office
• spare bedroom (for visitors)

Things that I don't want in a house

• Kitchen diner
• on suites

An 'air dryer' to dry off after a shower.

I don't like massive kitchens, but would love a separate utility area and larder. I can also live without an en suite as long as I have a downstairs toilet for guests. If budget were no issue on an ongoing basis I'd probably go for an orangery or small covered pool in the gardens, though I can't stand hot tubs. I'd also like my own library, but that might be a step too far.

I wouldn't want:
A wet room
A conservatory

I would want:
A free standing bath
A utility room
A pantry.

I would want big rooms with lots of space and lots of natural light. A huge open plan kitchen diner. Big master bedroom with a decent sized ensuite and a dressing room. An upstairs laundry room. Walk in closet by front door for shoes, coats, bags, luggage storage. Large family room. Separate study/small library. Home gym room. Large garden that isn't overlooked. Underfloor heating. Really good lighting. Big square hallway when you come in the front door. Wide landing upstairs. Lights switches and sockets that match the wall colours.

All bedrooms on the same floor.
A bedroom each and a spare.
Fitted wardrobes in all bedrooms.
En-suite to the master with a Japanese style bath tub, but accessible through a dressing room, so not directly off the bedroom.
French doors leading to a balcony area off master bedroom.
Spacious family bathroom.
Downstairs shower room accessible from the outside with walk in shower. Not directly off the kitchen.
Utility room (I don't like downstairs bathrooms and utilities combined)
A hot and cold outdoor tap.
Decent amount of kitchen worktop space without needing an island.
A pantry.
Enough kitchen space for a six seater table and five seater sofa.
Spacious hallway, with seating area.
Consideration as to where tv's will go with aerials positioned appropriately.
Downstairs study, snug or small lounge, dining room with space for a 12 seat dining table.
Sky lights in a fully boarded loft.
Double garage.
Insulated and mains powered summer house, with toilet and sink.
Appropriately positioned plug sockets (think now where your Christmas tree will go, make sure there's a socket for the lights).
A small opening window in every window (too small for anyone to climb through but meaning you can lock it open all the time).
Ethernet cables near all TV's and study areas.

My dream made to measure would-
-look symmetrical from the front
-have well thought out storage for things like coats, shoes,. ironing board etc

• large utility with double sink and space for drying clothes

-large windows with window seats -hardwood floors throughout downstairs -galleried landing -all bedrooms to be on suit -downstairs toilet -large entrance hall -large kitchen diner with separate living room

Stupid phone ensuite not on suite !

Driveway
Utility/ boot room
Pantry
Cellar/ store room which is easily accessible, not loft
Playroom
Study downstairs
Detached
Wraparound garden

Excellent response, lots of ideas. Interesting that many of us covet the same things - pantry, big utility, veranda, open space (but with some cosier areas too).

En-suite for teenagers brilliant idea.

@Growingboys why a definite no to boiling water tap or wet room?

@Connie222 Love the idea of first floor laundry room. Sorry your current home is less than great.

@MrsPerfect12 maids quarters 😂

@iklboo yes to window seats!

I wish I had these!
Utility room
Bigger hallway with space for coat and shoe storage
Decent size kitchen with lots of natural places to hang out (island, benches etc)
Sauna

I’ve just built a new house and put in a laundry chute from the family bathroom down to the laundry room . Hope it appeals to future buyers !

Massive kitchen/diner with bifold doors outside to decking area which leads into garden where there is a swimming pool and to the left a drop down area with seating all the way around in a square with a fire pit.
Inside I’d need a utility room, pantry, walk in shower with a massive shower head and separate bathroom with a stand-alone round bath. Walk in wardrobe and two reception rooms one for children one for me

4 walls and a roof in the middle of a forest. At one with nature in all it's beauty. what more do you need?

A staircase that goes up and then splits off in 2 directions
A library
A secret passageway from my bedroom to the library

Sunshine. East facing windows for morning tea, south for kitchen, west for entertaining. Evening and daytime light on garden. Mature trees to the north so not casting shade.

Not too open plan, so that I can shut away mess or noise. I like to have the option of eating away from the food prep even though I rarely do.

Did I mention sunshine? I’m always amazed how many houses are built without thinking about the sun angle. A big new house next to us has a sunroom with no sun, AstroTurf north facing garden, and all the winter sunshine hits the wall!