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?

I'd love a bedroom for each DC. An en suite for my room. Stone look tiles in the bathrooms. A lounge big enough for two sofas. A large kitchen diner with patio doors out onto the garden. Maybe a den so kids can watch telly and I can have some r and r in the lounge. Lots and lots of light

I'd have a walk in pantry in the kitchen so I could keep all my small appliances like mixers on shelves instead of cupboards that I have to virtually crawl into to find them.

I'd also have loads of deep drawers in the kitchen rather than cupboards under the worktop. Two ovens at eye level rather than one above the other.

I'd have a large enclosed porch at the front with a big coat cupboard and hidden shoe rack.

I'd have a downstairs wet room easily accessible from the front or back door just to wash the dog in.

In the lounge I'd have a big bay window just for the Christmas tree.

I'd have bifold or those hidden sliding doors (can't remember what they are called) between all the downstairs rooms so I could open them all up when I want a party and close them when I want it cosy.

All I can think of for now but you've made me want to move house.

I'd do like big open plan kitchen diners with sofas in them but would want a separate living room too.

Decent sized garden but not massive....not overlooked by neighbours directly at the back. Large patio area for eating/BBQ but a bit of lawn too.

Totally agree on laundry room upstairs, it makes zero sense to carry washing up and down stairs.

If you had an upstairs laundry room (and I can see the logic) wouldn't you ever hang anything outside to dry? You'd still need to carry washing up and down

I wouldn't have other people. I'm easily pleased otherwise, just an off road place to park my car, a tall hall cupboard, a spare room and a rotary washing line.

Swimming pool.

Lots of other things, but I'd live in a broken-down shed if it came with a swimming pool.

An obscenely large welcoming entrance/hallway with loads of storage for coats/shoes/bags etc.
Definitely a utility room with loads of drying space.

Love the laundry chute
Would add a dog shower
A drying room

A sauna
Master with 2 en-suites so he could have his own
walk in dressing room
Light, light & more light

I plan the layout of mine while falling asleep.

Things I have:-
Wide entrance hall
Kitchen garden off the kitchen and utility
A family room plus separate more formal sitting room
Space for a pool table
An upstairs laundry room

I would have:

A huge master bedroom with a super king size bed

Massive walk in shower, free standing bath, his and hers basins

Walk in closet (doesn't have to be huge but designed to maximise space)

Utility room with top loading washer/dryers

A kitchen island with some kind of bar stool seating around it

One of those central stair cases when you walk through the front door

Hmmmmm I can dream!

An en suite (as I have no dh to bother about)
Plenty of book shelves
A huge kitchen with a farmhouse table
Not open plan
All bedrooms to be large doubles
No neighbours
A huge garden

If you’re using reclaimed brick to go for that ‘look’ you MUST use reclaimed roof tiles. It’s actually the roofs that make a new build stand out a mile - reclaimed roofs are beautiful and will make it look much older or more ‘established’ than reclaimed brick alone. Also make sure you have enough roof overhang/ eaves to get a proper sense of proportion.

Walk in pantry
Utility room, that can be well heated and ventilated and with washing lines strung at a convenient height, so we can dry laundry there when it's wet or too cold out.
Boot room/cloakroom (I don't mean a loo) close to the front door, or whichever door is most in use.
A big kitchen diner with space for a sofa.
Separate large living room.
Music room for me.
Studio for DP.
A loo or bathroom on each floor.
If the house isn't detached, I want at least a side entrance to the garden.

Range cooker, island, utility room, open plan kitchen dining living, separate snug with open fire. Reclaimed brick outside, oak floor boards finished with oil. Integral wardrobes tons of other storage, freestanding bath ... I'm house hunting at the moment!

I've never bought or built a home but I would absolutely love

A library. And not just any library, a beauty and the beast size library complete with ladders.
And a roll top bath 😁

Washing machine and tumble dryer in my walk in wardrobe.

I wouldn't have DH

A view
Big garden
Lots of light
Open plan space as well as smaller rooms downstairs (e.g. sitting room)
Bid dining/kitchen/living
Billfold doors
Separate living room to family room
Playroom/teen den
Library/office
Utility (large)
Boot room
Pantry
Enough bathrooms (not too many, think about how many toilets you want to clean)
Master bedroom with room for a super king, en-suite and Dressing room.
At least one spare room
Balcony

I think that's it!!

Spiral staircase with slide
Ice rink
Swimming pool with water slides
Ski slope

@PorpentiaScamander always loved the idea of a split staircase since watching Dynasty!

@Gonegrey31 was the chute easy to do? Sounds brill.

Currently in a bog standard 3 bed but dream house would have a utility and lots of storage and South facing garden with mature plants. Decent size family bathroom with walk in shower would be nice.

You have all omitted the cleaner that isn't you to clean and tidy all these rooms!

@postbreakup think we have similar taste - yes to the bay window!

@missmouse101 agree ref no people 😂 Although I like the idea of occasional entertaining on my veranda!

Scooby doo fireplace!