Things to include in a new build house.

[JaxG]

We are about to start work on a new build (5 bed detached). Love to hear your tips on things you couldn't live without. (Anything from plug sockets, light fittings and switches to kitchen and bathroom advice). Thanks so much.

YYY to underfloor heating. In winter it is utterly blissful to walk into the house onto a warm floor.

I second decent sound insulation between floors and rooms.
All our upstairs rooms have stud plaster board walls with nothing but air inside and we hear EVERYTHING from the next door bathroom.

Yes to heated towel rail that works without central heating.
Our towels dry in the winter but not in the summer.

Cat 5 or whatever you call it data wiring every room.
Flexibility for changes in future - teenagers, disabled, elderly, homeworking etc.
Good ventilation ideally mvhr
Low energy lighting/good use of daylight.
Outside charging point for electric vehicles.

Sorry, couldn't resist. Something I'd like is built in cupboards for cloakroom, pantry and wardrobes. I would also like a utility room that has a big sink and a big built in cupboard for things like brooms, vacuum cleaner, ironing board.

I would like a built in cupboard for books. Not a room, but a built in bookshelf with a door so that all the books and CDs and crap could be stored in it. I have lots of books.

I can see what the utility room would look like. It would be great to have all the stuff stored in there and to have a nice uncluttered kitchen.

A built in music system which you can control for each room.

Yes to the laundry/utility space. House we currently rent has a kind of covered car port with translucent plastic roof, 4 washing lines across it. Slightest bit of sun and everything dries in hours. If you are going stylish open plan kitchen you do need a functional space.

Decent storage in every room.

You can buy towel radiators that run off both the heating and be electrical - so summer/winter not an issue

Are you building in the roof space or just having a loft?

Ethernet sockets in every room

Large utility, requesting sockets to be below bed height (in our last new build they were higher than the mattress). If your builder has a suggestion listen to it as they build lots of houses!

I dream of having air conditioning in my house.

Laundry shute/fabulous utility room

Bathroom underfloor heating & speaker system

Pilkington no clean glass

Boot room for coats/shoes

Yes, yes, yes to the wet room by the back door. I would love this. Hose yourself or the dog somewhere so that you come into the house clean.

My fitted wardrobe wouldn't need to be a walk in one but it would be able to store all my clothes and be well thought out.

I would also want a built in linen press so that all the bed linen and bathtowels etc would have a proper home that isn't spilling over.

So for me, think the storage. It's not that I don't like furniture but it would be nice to have stuff chosen just because it is beautiful not because I need somewhere to store stuff.

A thought on flooring. You will be having the floor laid after the electrics have gone in. At some point you may need to access the wiring. At that point you will probably not want to have to take up/replace the whole floor.

(I have laminate that needs replacing and I think I am going to have to get the floor redone including rafters so if anyone has any advice please point me in the right direction)

A proper stair up to the loft even if the loft is only for storage. An outside tap and plug point.

Would love a window seat to curl up in and read books

Consider how long you are planning to live in the house. Might you need to consider mobility issues? Steps to get into a house are a PITA if you have a buggy.

Consider having sockets at a height where you don't have to bend down. Most of mine (all but the kitchen) are just above the skirting board, and have furniture in the way. It's a PITA at times. I like to switch off at the wall not put on standby.

A great extractor in the kitchen and bathroom.

I actually like separate rooms. I like a door between kitchen/dining and living room so that the smells don't travel as much. However that might not be what people want in a family home.

The laundry shoot is a great idea (seen in America)

Fancy looking lights are fine, but make them easy to change with bulbs that are relatively short easily available.

A large airing cupboard where you have room to put drying racks so clothes dry quickly and are not visible

I came on to say plugs at a sensible height but see I have been beaten to it!

Dimmer lights in ceilings - when we bought I wanted dimmer lights but I hadn't realised you can't just put a different switch on. Apparently they need to be rewired or something.

If you are having a dressing room (or rooms!), have a packing table and space for suitcases . Makes it so much easier to pack quickly, have everything to hand . Laundry shute great idea . Zone heating to keep costs down , and every eco friendly fuel efficient device you can get - fuel costs are only going to rise into the future . Research this latter issue and get the latest .

Storage, storage, storage.

Proper, built in cupboards in every bedroom as an absolute minimum.

MVHR and an airtight house.

We are 3 weeks into our own build

High up plug sockets for wall mounted TVs and cable trays in the wall to hide all wiring.

USB points.
Huge utility room
Coat/shoe cupboard near front door
Data cabling to all rooms

Stairs storage (those fancy drawers)

Full height loft with stairs not ladder

Don't put radiators in daft places (I.e. Where you put your sofa)

Ditto don't put decorative fireplaces in stupid places... why are they always completely off centre in new builds these days?

I think about these things too much 😄

We renovated our house recently and this is what I love

Underfloor heating in the bathrooms
Tons of storage. Really big built in cupboard in the hall for all shoes/coats etc. Good linen closet. We don't have space for walk in wardrobes but we have really good shelving systems in the closets and it is transformative
Excellent shelving/organisation systems in every single built in/closet including the hall one - I have so much storage now.
Dedicated laundry room
Walk in pantry with built ins and small counter space so I can have all small appliances out and just close the door
Lovely built- in bookshelves and window seats.
Soft close doors/drawers in the kitchen
2 ovens
Really great extractor fan

I love the packing table idea, gonegrey.

I also like a separate kitchen. I'd like a large farmhouse kitchen with a big table.

If you are going for an open plan layout, think about how you are going to use it. If you have children at home, you might want a separate living room/snug/lounge.

Will you be having visitors that you will want a sort of study/office to meet them. For example, you may have a home based business, be a piano teacher, tutor etc.

It is nice to have a buffer area between the front door and the living area. A hall or porch.

Downstairs loo is a must. OK I don't have one (yet) but in a 5 bed house you will have the space. If it's in the hall, don't have it opposite the front door.

If you are going for big windows, consider the amount of sunlight you'll get and the view. Will you appreciate a north facing view or a baking hot glass walled room. Might a view be affected in future.