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.

USB plugs, a double height entrance hall, bay windows in the front for Christmas tree(s), one of those bins that are hidden underneath the kitchen worktop, storage, storage and more storage.

Mine would absolutely have a panic room with cameras showing all the rooms in the house - not for panic purposes, just as a place to hide from the dc occasionally.

And I’d have a basement, with an ice rink.

Other than that, I’d just like a bigger version of my current house so I could fit a mud room into my utility, have more storage and space in the bedrooms, and a stairs up to the attic instead of a faffy ladder.

I’d rather have a laundry room on the same level as the bedrooms. I’d convert the attic into a master bedroom, with a big glass roof to see the stars. And I’d have a generous storage room on the ground floor so I would never have to haul a Christmas tree or luggage up and down the stairs.

I really like the layout of our house which allows me to overlook the play area and garden from the kitchen, and also connects to a dining area which leads onto a sitting room. It’s stopped me from moving house because I’ve never found as good a layout, do I’d definitely copy that. But it would be bigger with lots of built in storage.

Dining area, not necessarily dining room, separate from the kitchen - as well as space for an informal smaller dining table in the kitchen.

Both the dining area and living room to have french doors onto the garden (not the ghastly bi-fold modern ones).

Garden to be west facing, south at a push but if south then the means to have a large awning over the south facing wall of the house.

Large utility room with sink, downstairs loo, pantry.

Lots of cupboards of an actual useful size! A bootroom/area

@wintertime6 can I be cheeky and ask if you have a photo/plan of what your washing machine set up will look like? Planning our dream kitchen/utility currently!

A larder.

I laundry shoot into the downstairs utility room.

Large kitchen/living room with velux windows and French doors to outside. A cooking island where the gas hob would be. Decent pan storage. Big enough shallow drawer for cutlery so other shit doesn't get dumped in there.

Wood burner in said living kitchen.

4 bedrooms.

Garage.

Proper double driveway.

Office space preferably outside in a summerhouse kind of thing.

A room full of shelves for storage.
A utility big enough for all the vacuums and their charging points as well as room to sort and air laundry
Sockets everywhere
Excellent ventilation

I'd definitely have a waste disposal unit in my sink. Also my front door would be recessed. I like the look and also so much better to not get wet digging around for keys in the rain.

If money no object...

Yes to passivhaus standards.

Covered car port in front of the garage so sheltered when loading reluctant children into car seats in the rain.

Storage built into the bathroom. A big boot room/utility with an overhead drying rack and a big butler sink for sluicing walking gear or foul bedding etc.

Sockets behind the settee for charging devices whilst using them.

A weatherproofed outdoor socket front and back.

A garden room of some kind separate from the house which could be used to escape the other house occupants, either as a quiet space for work or else to toss teens out into depending on season of life.

House near us was built with all internal walks downstairs actually pocket doors so they can all slide away for one giant open plan great room, but also slide back into place to eg shut off the kitchen, or turn the TV area into a cosy den. I like this idea.

Yes to many things like storage. It’s old fashioned but I actually like walls. Yes have a lovely big kitchen area/living space but have a hallway and stairs so smells and noise don’t get upstairs. I also need dark to sleep so don’t want huge windows that need complicated blinds or dark curtains. A freestanding shower with storage including for bars of soap/shampoo.

Ooh, windows that fit conventional curtain sizes!

We've just left a holiday home that had a couple of simple things I loved. The built in wardrobes had great lighting which came on automatically when you opened the door. The coat hooks were above a radiator so outdoor gear dried rapidly and was warmed up when you put it on.

The other thing I loved was that some of the small rooms were diagonal - so the ensuite, rather than being square, had one corner cut off and the door was set in that wall diagonal to the room. There was just something lovely about it, it felt less plonked in if that makes sense. The downstairs loo was the same, so the wall with the door in it was diagonal to the hall. Everything felt much more spacious.

I'd like a dishwasher with drawers, and fitted freezer drawers too.

Nightlights at each toilet on motion sensors

Radiator pipes in the wall rather than into the floor.
Sockets on kitchen island.
Sockets high on wall for wall mounted TV.
Pendant lights over kitchen island and dining table.
Boiling water tap in kitchen.

Electric cars are inevitable, so I would be planning to install the wiring for two charging points in whatever is the best location.

@whensmynexthol1day I can't find the better photo I have but something along these lines, without the cupboards in the middle, and I want the bottom drawer below the washer and drier to be one larger drawer

Space. Doesn't have to be giant like American homes, but I wouldn't build a tiny little box.

As much consideration given to summer cooling as to winter heating. Britain is only going to get hotter.

Off-street parking with electric car charging.

Ethernet to every room.

@thelegohooverer I think I've missed a trick not planning a panic room to escape from the dc's, what a fabulous idea! I'd need a wine fridge in there too!

@wintertime6 thanks so much. I've seen loads where the washer and dryer are stacked on top so that was what I was imagining and couldn't work out where your extra drawer was.

But you've now convinced me I need this extra dirty washing drawer too! I have a plastic box on the side in my current utility where I throw dishcloths and tea towels until the next towel wash but a drawer would be so much better.

Now need to work out how to fit them in side by side!

A water filter so that I have clean drinkable water from my kitchen tap.
A master light switch by front door so I can turn off all lights in house
And many already listed

Thanks everyone for your comments, lots of things to think about!

A boiling water tap in the kitchen has been something that I've been thinking about and can't quite decide. Does anyone have one and think they're worth it? I've heard someone say the taste of a cup of a tea isn't great with them which is putting me off a bit.

The 'little' things:

Boiling water tap
Outdoor power/sockets
Laundry chute or failing that, housed laundry bins (so in cupboards)
Sockets at mid height for dressing table for hairdryers etc (like in a hotel)
Good cable management
Duel power heated towel rail that you can plug in when heating is off

Laundry room. Space for washer, dryer (maybe 2 of each, since this is a wishlist), airer, baskets and good ventilation without making the rest of the house cold or leaving it insecure.

A basement with light, heating and electricity.
An attic with light and insulation - fully boarded out.
Sufficient power sockets in each room corner.
A sun room/garden room.
A boot room/utility.
A really nice front porch so that my parcels dont get wet.
A big entrance hall with coat storage and loo.
Beautiful wooden French doors.
A cosy terrace and a beautiful cottage garden.
A home gym.
A home office.
LOADS of storage.
An Aga.
A walk-in pantry.
A big dining kitchen.
A sunken, flush-fitting indoor front door mat (wish I'd had one fitted before getting the floorboards done.)
Plenty of outdoor lighting & power & water

Place marking...so many ideas I love/have dreamed about!

Tons of storage - our current first home is a lovely little open plan mid-terrace but no storage!!!! Having to be very clever about this but would just love somewhere to hide the step-ladders, ironing board and paint stuff.

Utility - hate having washing machine spinning whilst hearing it from the living room, we actively avoid putting it on whilst at home/in the evening whilst relaxing.

Master light switch next to the front door - would save us having to switch off all the lights on the way to the front door

And so many of the other ideas mentioned already. Going to make a list of ‘must-haves and wants’ for our next house purchase/upgrade!