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?

A small library / office / grand piano room. Lots of light, maybe in an orangery.

I am very lucky in that we live in a period house we love (though it needs a lot of work). What sold it to us are the 16 feet ceilings and original sash windows, fabulous mature site with lovely view, it is bright and airy, and though we need a new kitchen, we do have a big aga and I love it.

So,I would absolutely LOOOVE no stairs!!!!!!! One level house

I was raised in the uk and it seems like everyone here likes having a double/triple storey house

Space and light for me!

I have just built my own house - in the garden of my old one and I was 'downsizing' so my brief was very different. A few things though.

A 'garage' with power and hot and cold water - even if you will never put a car in.

A utility room is essential to me - especially as I have just one open plan kitchen/living area with a small dining alcove.

Underfloor heating - perfect for me as I am retired. It's slow to both heat up and cool down so it really makes sense if there is mostly someone there 24 hours. In a new house it's relatively cheap to keep the temp reasonable because of insulation. Whichever way you heat go for as much insulation as you can - and then double it. Weirdly my heating is usually one and half to two degrees lower than I used to need it because of no draughts.
I would say do have an ensuite but also have another easily accessible bathroom so that there is no need to share.
My ensuite is accessed through my dressing room (heaven) my bedroom is always tidy even if the dressing room isn't. I also have my washing machine and dryer up there but that won't work if you have others using the washing machine. For me it's a no brainer, dirty clothes - washer - dryer - hang up so so easy. I would recommend a heat recycling dryer - no steam and no overheating the room either. At least two outside taps - you can otherwise guarantee the hose is always at the wrong side of the house. Ditto outdoor plug sockets, and don't forget a car charger. Get solar panels and most of the year you can charge your car for free. If you like garden lights or Christmas lights then have 4 sets. (So much cheaper for the sockets and tap if done from the start).
Kitchen - two dishwashers - full size for a family. Use from clean, straight into dirty and reverse. Saves (would save - thats a future plan for me) loads of time.

Think about - seasonal storage Christmas decorations, garden furniture and tools, different sized suitcases and seasonal clothes.

Plan which way it faces. No good having the best design with dark living space on the north. Bedrooms on the north are great, stay cool most of the year even in summer. My lounge is on the south and I have had my bifolds (one ordinary door and bifold the other way) open at least part of most days for the past couple of months and for at least 8 hours today.

None of these things are luxury but thinking about them before planning means you are less likely to regret decisions (I know)

Also add at least 50% to your first rough estimate and 30% to the final one.

I love a kitchen that's well planned out, with everything in the right place. We have a breakfast bar, which I also use as extra worktop. If money was no object, I would have a much bigger kitchen with a longer breakfast bar. At present if anyone comes they fight over who can sit at the breakfast bar.

My kitchen extends to a dining area and I have double doors into the living room. This is lovely as when you have visitors you open the double doors and then the whole area is open plan.

I would love a garden room opening off the kitchen, open plan, with comfy sofas and bi-fold doors onto decking.

Huge kitchen.

We did a major renovation on our house (built around 1910) and what I love is:

Original floors and woodwork
Walk in pantry
Basement with laundry room, storage room, bathroom, exercise space and living area
Smaller sitting room has bookshelves on three walls and a window seat
Three other window seats in the house
Guest room and bath is on a separate floor which is really nice for guests.

What I wish I had:
2 or 3 car garage
ability to put on solar panels - because of the way our roof is and the trees nearby, we can't.

When we were renovating, I found the builder way more sensible than the architect when it came to solving problems. He really understood how a family would live in the house. The first architect we had designed it so we would have a downstairs loo but no coat closet - we live in a climate where there is significant snow and we had several children. the builder took one look at the plans and said "where are you going to put your snowboots and coat ? this won't work"

Ditto dh had them move the sink in the final design because he felt it was too far to carry pots from hob to sink to drain - he could see me burning myself. I didn't spot that. So basically you have to go through the design thinking about how you live/move in the house.

Solar panels!

If you do decide to go for it - or even if you are just thinking seriously about it I would join the 'Buildhub' forum.

Very mixed bunch. Probably about 80/20 male/female but most have input from partners too.

Lots of experience that people are very willing to share. New builds from small bungalows to 5 bed/bathroom family homes, also plumbers, electricians etc who are either self building or renovating.

Very friendly, welcoming and helpful.

I joined part way through my build and would have made far fewer mistakes if I had joined earlier.

Would Love
Big windows
Wooden floors
Large garden
Swimming pool
Utility room
Parking
Shed or porch
Bath
Separate dining room

Would hate
Ensuite
Vinyl/ lino/ laminate floor
Big tvs
Dark coloured walls
Spacious bedrooms
Plastic/fake wood kitchen/bathroom units

Honestly? A cocktail bar and Mark Ruffalo...

I want a ell stocked playroom...

....I don’t have any kids!

Well stocked I meant

Bidet(s).

Id have a Japanese style courtyard in the middle of the house to let in light and create interesting views from within the house. Preferably with a few mature trees and somewhere comfortable to sit beneath them.

I like the idea of a private outdoor space that that you wouldn't know about from the exterior of the house.

I wouldn't have:
An en-suite
Drafts
Surfaces that easily show dust or wear and tear
Any fancy taps, sinks or baths in expensive materials. No point in a hard water area.

I would also have blackout blinds/curtains on every window. Grand Designs gives me the rage. What's the point in spending £2m on a dream house overlooking the sea when you will only get 5 hours sleep in summer? Surely if you can afford a new window, you can afford to cover it up from the sun and for your privacy? Greedy exhibitionist noobs.

Boot room and space for school bags, prams, hockey sticks etc!

Soo many good points by pp’s above.

The only additions are:

heated towel rails in the bathroom, that are duel fuel, so in the summer when the heating is off you can have a warm towel.

Sonos speaking in the ceiling

Electric roman blinds, pre set to sun set and the time you wish to wake.

Defo a Quooker rap, it’s ace!

Off street parking.
Definitely laundry room on the level with the main bedrooms.
Walk in closets.
En suite to every bedroom.
Loo downstairs.
Boot room.
Walk in larder/pantry.
Those crittal style doors to outside terrace area. Lawn/garden beyond.
Open plan kitchen/dining/living room
Wood burning stove
Cathedral ceilings (or at least high ceilings).
Detached
No more than two floors
Balcony off master that's not overlooked.
Location in Parsons Green or Chelsea within walking distance of underground.
Wooden floors downstairs carpet upstairs
Underfloor heating
Southwest facing garden

Honestly? A cocktail bar and Mark Ruffalo

I could definitely get on board with that!

If money no object then I could also build it on the shore of the seaside town I grew up in and now would need a huge lottery win to even consider moving back to but is where my dearest friends live (or live nearby)

images.app.goo.gl/AAN9LqKupA5GXmJf9

This is the kind of courtyard I mean

This indoor/outdoor space would be perfect for those of us slowly cultivating agoraphobia

images.app.goo.gl/82XHg3CoREDN3L456

I absolutely love that I'm not the only one who has detailed plans for a dream home! Some fantastic advice here - thank you. I've got myself a shiny new notebook and will go back through the thread and write down lots of the ideas.
Outside taps/electrics, car charger, possible solar panelling, seasonal storage are all great points.

@Khione thank you for the forum info. This is exactly what we need!