What things would you like if you were building a house?

[wintertime6]

We're now starting to think about more of the detail in the house we're building and I just wondered what things I haven't thought about that you would have if you were building a house?

I'm really analysing how we use our current house and what things would make the new house more functional. Little things like a little cupboard in the kitchen to put keys and wallets, a charging drawer to charge phones and tablets without them sitting out on the work surface, having sensor lights in the larder which come on automatically when you open it etc.

What would you have if you were building or doing work to your house? Just things that make a difference to how you use the space, however small.

Boiling water tap and underfloor heating

Passivhaus standards, underfloor heating, air source heat pump

@Svalberg

I'd like the house to be built to Passivhaus standard

This. Future proof it against running costs.

@OwlBasket

An upstairs laundry room with washer, dryer, hanging space and room to fold. Saves so much mess and faff in the rest of the house.

I was going to say this! Plus a sink in there for soaking/rinsing stained things.

Other things on my wish list are a decent space for pushchairs, scooters, bikes etc (big enclosed porch or something?) and lots of sensible storage, would love big cupboards of the hall for coats and shoes and for cleaning stuff etc.

Flexible lighting; dimmable ceiling lights and/or softer wall lights.

We live in a hard water area and I want a water filter for our main supply, boring but will be worth it I think.

off the hall

I like the idea of a raised washing machine and dryer, I might steal that. But do you have counter space elsewhere for folding?

We built ours. I want more kitchen worktop space. Bigger storage for coat and shoes. More consumer units on where the elec comes in ( plan to put car charge points or at least the electrics for it for future proofing). Love my water underfloor heating, solar panel for heating water, rainwater harvesting system, heat exchange fresh air system. We regret not doing a ground source heat pump, it would have been worth it in the long run.

We had a radiator under the coat storage in a previous house and it meant your coat was always cozy when you put it on in the winter. Bliss.

I am place marking - all the things I would want have been mentioned already.

Only thing that hasn’t been is putting the kitchen bin in a pull out cupboard under the main work surface

Multiple toilets including a downstairs one.

Boot room/ cloakroom/ pram, scooter store/ dog cleaning station definitely

Love your utility room ideas with raised machines and drawer and counters.

I dream of a garden room or orangery type thing with loads of light for loads of plants and reading material and comfy seating.

Enough bedrooms so that if necessary (snoring DP I'm looking at you) everyone can sleep on their own in peace.

Upstairs laundry would be my No 1 requirement.

Storage is the most important for
Me.

We have zero storage for hoover. mop bucket, iron ironing board dog food, shoes, coats. Mud room for dog. Utility room for laundry. Storage in bathrooms. Dress of room with dressing table. Tv wall mounting with hidden cables. Recessed door mat. Somewhere wrk put you shampoo in the shower

We have and recommend underfloor heating, wine fridge and speakers. Get plugs at bed side with USBS. Get sockets in each corner. Built in wardrobes or enough space to have them put in later. Log burner. Jacuzzi bath. American fridge freezer. Range cooker.

I would love a large place to store away recycling, bottles, papers etc. - that's an ongoing issue at our house.

A circular window - I've just always wanted one. Sunlights too if I could afford them.

Upstairs laundry room
Multi fuel stove
Storage storage storage

Oh we also have a very dim light in the en suite you can put on if you want a wee in the night and don't want to dazzle yourself. That's definitely another one for the list if we build again

We've recently extended and had solar panels inset into the roof rather than on top of the roof tiles.

I'm loving deep drawers instead of cupboards in the utility room, much easier to find the right bottle of cleaning product.

Not used yet but we've had an electric car charging point wired in. Also plumbed in a hot and cold mixer tap outside, much easier to wash a muddy dog outside.

My new plan is floor to ceiling wardrobes with a mirror inside one door and multiple shelves attached to the inside of the doors. Each shelf has a railing around it so I can put all my dressing table cosmetics onto the shelves and they won't fall out. Therefore no messy dressing table needed, everything is away inside the wardrobe.

Downstairs toilet, utility room, electrics at bottom of stairs in case you ever need a stairlift, all doors wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, level access to property, level access shower. Future proof your house so that if the worst should happen you won't have to think about moving at a time where you are having to think about your health.

Don't all new build properties have to have a charging point for a car as standard? If not I would think it won't be long before they do.

Insulation to Passivhaus level

Underfloor heating and ground source heat pumps

Greywater harvesting and outwash

Solar thermal water heading with thermal store

TONS of storage
LOTS of daylight

basically a house that costs almost nothing to run

Oh just thought of something else. If possible, a roof light above the shower. Saw one in a house I viewed once and it was awesome.

I think you have to have all doors wide enough for wheelchairs now as part of building regs.

Balcony/terrace, I love them, what would be better than a lovely hot coffee in the morning on your balcony?

How about a parcel dropbox so parcels that can't fit through a letter box can be left so you don't miss parcels.

Laundry chute

Underfloor heating.
Lots of big windows.
Good storage, fitted wardrobes at full height rather than wasting space at the top.
Eat-in kitchen and separate utility room and evening dining/sitting room.
Home office space - in main house or separate.