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Building a custom home.... Any "must" haves/cool ideas you have come across? For example - Outlets on both sides of the front door, water faucets on the porch for plants, or make the flase panels on cabinates flip out for extra storeage?
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Rainbarrels and graywater systems would be great to install now while you are building. Building things to be as energy efficient as possible is easiest to do now and will save you tons of money in the long run.
i have always wanted a mud/snow/sleet/darkofnight room :)
A pantry is a must! as a child i lived on a farm for a while and there was a large and wonderful pantry...one feature i had to have for my new kitchen was a potato bin. yes, i was chuckled at :) but many viewers are jealous!
pull-out bread board is not used, i needed a lot of space for my spices (several drawers and a cupboard full)
a central vacuum system i am told is the best thing ever.
if you have children to keep safe? many appliances come with child safety features.
2. Instead of all those kitchen cabinets on the bottom, put in 2 dishwashers and never unload dishes again ... use and put in the second dishwasher. Also, make all the other bottom "cabinets" drawers. It takes only one movement to see what's inside. Pull out shelves require the room to open the doors and then you have to pull out the drawer.
3. Two ovens as well. You will use them more than you think.
4. Same with clothes washers. Put a small apartment stackable unit in the pantry/kitchen/mudroom area. If your kids are young or you have pets the few times you don't want to lug the really gross stuff upstairs/downstairs to the "real" laundry will be worth it. Also, the sound of laundry going on the main level is just comforting.
5. Make a "pantry" upstairs for blanket, pillow, vacuum cleaner, and luggage storage. These big items are always hard to store.
6. Make sure your house has windows that open on every opposite side of the house. (north/south and east/west)
7. If you end up with a bathroom that has no outside walls and therefore no windows, try to add a sky light. That opens.
8. If you are going to tile the master shower, make sure there is a niche for shampoo, a ledge to rest your foot when you shave your legs, and a bar for washcloths. A bench to sit on will just serve as a low shelf for all your "product".
9. Consider cork flooring. It can go just about anywhere. It's warm, soft, eco-friendly. What's not to like?
10. Most of all, enjoy the process and go about it thoughtfully. Never choose "just to get it done." I hope you have many wonderful years in your new home!!
Solar panels on the roof.
Tankless water heater.
UV glass on the South and West exposures to minimize fading.
A grey-water system, rainwater capture and dual-flush toilets to conserve water.
Windows placed for cross ventilation, deep roof overhangs on the South and West sides to minimize the use of AC and few doors / windows on the North side to eliminate heat loss in the winter.
Make sure none of your sight lines reveal a toilet.
How difficult will it be to move the furniture up the stairs?
How far will you have to carry the groceries to get them to the kitchen/pantry?
Have at least one extra wide entry for moving the big items in and out (appliances, furniture).
I love having cable outlets in the master bath where I can soak and watch television. I also put an electrical outlet and cable line high up in the garage so a television would be out of the way and accessible.
Outside electrical outlets near the soffits for Christmas lights, avoids cords running all over the place.
Love my radiant floor heat, especially in the kitchen and bath, where the tile surfaces stay warm, and the floors dry in an instant after mopping!
I also have an affinity for pocket doors, especially if they are double doors, say leading from room to room, they are great on closets too.
Good luck and have fun with the new house!
2. When in doubt, add more windows. We just had a house built, and I wish we had put in more windows for more natural light to come in.
3. Use foam insulation on exterior walls--a MUST!
4. Consider putting insulation in the ceiling of a room that has surround sound so as not to impact rooms above it. I can hear the TV in our master bathroom like I was in the same room! I'm just glad it's the bathroom and not the bedroom.
5. Definitely recommend putting in speakers in rooms where you think you will want to listen to music.
6. I agree with the recommendation of a second sink in the kitchen.
If you will be building in the second half of this year, you might like to consider dimmable glass from iGlass. This will be able to be used in external glazing of your house and when integrated with a home automation system will darken automatically as the sun hits the facade of your home.
To give you an idea as to what intelligent glass will be able to do in the near future take a look at this new video posted last week.
http://www.corning.com/news_center/videos/ADayMadeofGlass2.aspx
make sure you make allowances in your design to incorporate these new ideas tomorrow.
1. Sponge storage in the front of the kitchen sink panel
2. Kitchen towel racks hidden near the sink
3. Cupboard with pull down ironing board
My favorite features:
1. Dimmers on all the light switches
2. Deep drawers in the kitchen instead of lower cabinets. No more stooping and reaching to the back recesses of cabinets. I LOVE them.
3. Charging station in a cabinet with pocket doors at the edge of the kitchen
4. Cabinet with pocket doors to house microwave, toaster and coffee maker so they are convenient, but you simply close the cupboard door to hide them.
1-The best stove venting hood system I can afford. (We cook a lot.)
2-Dish drawers rather than overhead cabinets you can never find anything in.
3-Reverse Osmosis water filtration system on all faucets in the kitchen. ie: icemaker, instant hot water, pot filler over cooktop.
4-tankless water heater under kitchen sink for all kitchen water. (only a cold line need be run to kitchen, no heat energy lost by water sitting in pipes and no running the water till it gets hot, more efficient.)
5-The largest walk-in pantry I have space for to get stored food OUT of my kitchen space. (less heat on stored food = fresher longer)
6-Pocket doors to release that swing path to become usable space.
7-built-ins to store things you have to keep, but tend to take up space or just lay around cluttering things. (blankets, extra towels, computer supplies, large kitchen equipment like colanders, cookie sheets, even pizza pans.
Give them a home.)
8-A bath drawer set up for hair dryers, curling irons, hot rollers etc. that has its own power supply inside the drawer. No more laying around or having to unplug and wrap cords.
9-Make plans for ventilation and air flow to assist heating and cooling the home. Passive venting by roof design and window placement is 100s of years old in the south. (Just because it isn't high tech doesn't mean it won't work. Plan for cool in low and heat to pass out at the ceiling line.)
10-A morning kitchen hidden in the dressing room between the bedroom and bath. A small microwave, toaster, and coffee/tea maker with mini-fridge can make lazy mornings and rushed exits a lot easier and more enjoyable.
Un-numbered but most important, always include as much green tech as you can. It's your money, why spend it on utility bills if you don't have to.
It just makes sense.
A switched outlet or 3 outdoors for holiday lights.... then label the switch(es) so you remember year to year :-)
You cannot underestimate how much better drawers are than base cabinets!
Gas cooktop; electric (convection) ovens
Look into AAC block construction. Fire proof, insect proof, mold proof, rot proof,noise dampening and mass (for retaining temperature balance) and insulation are integral. The walls breath and no drywall, studs etc are needed for exterior walls,. I am loving it.
We also put in a 2000 gallon tank to store rainwater off the roof. It goes under ground, so you don't know it's there except that you always have free water for irrigation and flushing your toilets.
Using LOTS of drawers instead of base cabinets. So much easier to find things.
Mud room with a closet for all of the coats, jackets, etc
These are a couple things on my "must have" list when I build again.
Also - if you know you have a heavy mirror or picture to hang and know where you want to hang it use a scrap piece of wood from the framing and nail it between the studs before drywall goes up. Gives you something to nail in to.
A drawer with a built-in outlet to serve as a charging station for electronics
Choose a "media station" area to host your security, tech an other low voltage needs so that all the electrical can chase back to one location.
Add a timer to your towel warmer so it's not on all the time.
Add a humidistat to your bath fans so that they cycle off once they've cleared the air. And the best money you spend will be on a quiet exhaust fan in baths and laundry.
Use cast iron waste lines at least on vertical runs so that you don't hear a waterfall of water when someone uses the plumbing above you.
Get a level 5 finish on drywall in rooms with alot of windows.
Insulate around laundries and baths and between bedrooms for noise reduction.
Insulate between floors or use RC channel when ceiling sheetrock is hung to reduce noise as well.
Install flush-mount wood floor registers in your new wood floors.
Install an in-counter composting container.
Install a counter-mounted "air switch" for your disposal.
Roughin for solar even if you don't install it right away.
Install extra blocking in the walls at closets and bathrooms (particularly places where you might want to add shelving or grab bars in the future)
Think universal design (wider doorways, fewer stairs, spaces everyone can use)
Don't forget landscape lighting, or water or gas...outdoor fireplaces are a great feature!
Anne / Ventana Construction Seattle, WA
Mailbox bell! (A different-toned doorbell activated by an old, re-purposed garage-door opener transmitter.)
Hybrid tankless water heater (more efficient than simple tankless)
Natural gas "spigot" on the back deck that I plug my natural gas grill into. (Never run out of gas in the middle of a BBQ again!)
Drip irrigation lines to every planter on the deck.
Electrical outlets every 6 feet (including outdoor fixtures on the porch/deck.)
RG6, CAT5 and Fibre run through a single chase to every room.
No central vac (existing construction), so I hacked an old HEPA-filtered vacuum body into the back of one of the cabinets in my kitchen island and created my own kick-plate switch for sweeping in the kitchen.
In the laundry room, TV, wall-cabinet ironing board, and enough counter space so multiple children can fold clothes simultaneously (!!)
iPad-controlled lighting and TV in the bedroom. His and her dual iPad and iPhone charging docks on the bedside tables. ;-)
2. Windows for light from 2 directions in every room where possible.
3. Don't skimp on front door hardware. Pick a stylish handle set that really plays up the style of the house.
Gas connection for the deck BBQ.
Switches by the bed for night time. Hate getting up when your already warm and cozy!
Extra outlets in the office if you can decide where your desk is going.
We have 110v and 220v outlets in our gym - some equipment takes the higher voltage.
The backing in bathrooms and closets is a must. We actually put plywood before the drywall in our bathroom so we could hang bars/hooks/mirrors wherever we needed. No more pulling out of the wall when hanging things up.
We put a small base shower right by our front door to rinse off muddy boots and for veggies from the garden and such. It gets alot of use.
2. Install an ice maker in your pantry instead of in the kitchen. They are noisy but extremely valuable in the summer.
3. Built in Shelving everywhere you can afford it, bedrooms included.
4. EXTRA wide stairs. My husband measured his sneakers (size 13) and added an inch or two. People compliment us all the time about how easy it is to climb stairs in our house!
5. Don't go to the expense of real stone in all your shower stalls. We did in all four and I regret it. There are great tile products out there which mimic real stone for a lot less.
6. Wire your outdoors for Low voltage lighting, including light fixtures at the street or down the driveway. Then make sure the switch is someplace convenient.
7. A tub in the garage us a must. We tucked one into a deep closet.
8. Don't use cedar siding or cedar tiles anywhere on the outside. Insects love to nest in it.
9. Whatever is recommended for soundproofing between floors, add it and a little more. Guests in the downstairs bedrooms can hear our dog doing her "Is breakfast ready?" dance through the ceiling.
10. Get It All In Writing - especially the change orders so no one is confused about colors/quantities/dimensions/cost.
11. Someone already said this but it's worth repeating . . . a cabinet or drawer next to your sink with an electrical outlet built in gives you options to keep your hair dryer plugged in, add a lighted mirror for makeup applications or keep your electric toothbrush plugged in but out-of-site. I even have a small fan tucked away!
12. Speaking of fans, living in the South means we're hot when we come in to change clothes. I put a miniature ceiling fan in the middle of our closet. Aaah!
Think about your floor plan when designing windows and doors - I had a client design their own house in 2005 and was obsessed with natural light/windows - problem is there's so place for the TV in the family room. Give some thought to how you'll furnish each room before adding windows and doors.
Pocket doors are a great one - and can be next to impossible to do after.
Think about wiring really hard.
Everyone has given you awesome suggestions - my best suggestion would be:
While building - it's ok not to finish something if you're unsure, can't find the price you want, or can't get the style you want on your current budget. Don't do something just to finish! You will regret this. When I was building my home in 05, our budget was running out and to get reimbursed on our construction loan we had to show "substantial progress" which meant I had to put in some floors that I regret putting in and have since replaced, etc. There were several items like this that we did because we had to do something and were running out of money. Don't do it. You'll just spend more in the long run. Leave some things unfinished and finish them after you occupy.
If you can't decide upon something, live in the house for a while first before doing it. When I built my house originally, I had thought I would continue to entertain crowds every weekend and made my front room into an additional living space that could seat and hold more guests - with a french door opening up to the family room. Great for parties. But 1-2 years later, as it turns out I'm too busy with my clients to entertain that much and I wish I had made the front room into a den/library that I would've used daily. My office is far too small. I am now planning an expensive re-do. So it doesn't hurt to leave things alone for a bit before deciding what to do. Be as flexible as you can so your spaces can be re-purposed when your l
1. Lighting lighting lighting. We had a lighting "designer" help us. Putting in art lights dimmers chandelers and sconces, even up light on columns, I would never have thought to. It make a huge difference people can't put a finger on it but they always say that there is something different about our house. I got the idea from Candice Olsen love her shows she always has a focus on lighting, knew I wanted it, need help to get there.
2. We did a toto toliet just in our master not really that big of a splurge we bought ours on line it is really just a seat that fits on the toliet that you plumber installs but you have to have power!
3. I love that we put in framed mirrors in all the bathrooms, start looking now there are some great ones and looks so much better that the "builder mirrors"
4. We also did the christmas light switches super great.
5. One thing that we missed is we have a few windows that are high and we wished that we had wired to these to have motorized shades.
6. We also did radiant heat love it, but be warned it is a lot more money. You still have to have all the furnaces you would have with a forced air system to circulate the air. Super nice twice the price!
7. Spent time think of thing that would make your home uniquely yours. We put in a London Phone booth door where a small closet would have been because we didn't need the storage space. Also, we have a dumb waiter (for the big costco trips, because our garage is in the basement) and hide it behind a chalkboard. No one ever knows it is there. Also, we put a craft room for our daughter under the stairs. When we started our build she was 8 and when we finished 11 so plans changed from play house to craft area.
8. One regret we bought a pre-made vanity in our main level guest bath, I thought oh that room won't be used much. Regret it is by fa
Then lastly, find some exciting luxury/spluge item. My dad (an architect) designed a double-sided fireplace in one of his clients' master bedroom that was also right above the master bathroom tub. I think it's crazy, but the clients love it. So find that one crazy item you'll love and put some money behind it.
1. Laundry chute (such a traditional idea but looove it!)
2. If you're a cat person: Cat cabinet in laundry room. It spans 3 cabinets with a hole in one door for her to jump through. It houses the cat box and food bowl, away from the dog. ;)
3. Lockers in the laundry room for each person's shoes, coats, back packs. Just wish I'd put outlets and a shelf in each one for cell phones, etc.
4. Cutting board above garbage drawer. The cutting board has a hole in it so when you're done chopping, you just open the garbage drawer and push the refuse through the hole into the garbage can or compost bin.
5. Light switches by bed for room lights AND for country dwellers, swittches for outdoor flood lights.
6. Custom made dog gate across stairwell base so dogs don't have free access to carpeted bedrooms. It is on special hinges so that we simply lift the gate up out of the hinges when company comes.
7. Extra sound proofing around powder room and pipes from upstairs bathrooms.
Have fun with your custom design!
I love the suggestion about swinging door for laundry room.
i don't know much about the gas line install, but for some reason a red flag went up when i read the suggestion for a gas line hook up to the BBQ. i am sure it is convenient and saves the refill trips..but it just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen..please make sure you if you do it, to do it safely.
my experience in remodel is only with my old, creaky home :) so i am not up on the new materials, etc. i do know that as we age, our needs change with regard to how we use our kitchens and bathrooms in particular. i don't know if you want to plan ahead or if you will be having visitors with those kinds of needs, but it might be worth considering.
i have found that our new tankless water heater and water softener have made a huge difference. one of those is that it keeps new appliances working and looking better.
we had a laundry chute installed in this old creaky house :) and it's the best thing ever!!
if you are searching for landscape ideas and information? every library should have Gertrude Jekyll, Elizabeth Lawrence, and Katharine White.
Rather than closets - frame out alcoves for built-in wardrobe systems that include drawers, hanging space, shelves, etc. It's a much more efficient use of space than closets.
Also - Planning a space for the Wifi, Printers, chargers for Phones and iPads, etc - preferably someplace near your entrance where you can also drop keys, briefcases/purses, etc.
I had an appliance garage built in our master bath with electrical outlet to house my personal appliances (i.e. hair dryer, flat iron, etc). On the opposite side in my closet are wonderful shelves floor to ceiling! Both our closets have shelves with open bins/baskets.
Tankless water heater and foam insulation have already paid for themselves as far as energy savings are concerned! Great investment.
In an extra closet, place shelves for those items you use rarely (i.e. grandmother's silver chest). In the bottom area, place a rod 43-45 inches from the floor so you will have a place to hang your tablecloths, runners etc. I'm so glad that I used this instead of having 2 coat closets in the guest hall.
You're smart to ask for advice, enjoy your new home!
Also, light sensors in all your closets.
Make sure you have planned for ample lighting and put dimmers on.
Another thing would be if you have central vacumn, to have a suction in the
toekick around the sink area. Great for sweeping the floor, no need for a dustpan.
Here's a picture of the place we built.
Good insulation for temperature control -- but also between floors of the house, especially if you have hard floors or speakers in the ceiling, to help control noise issues.
Laundry room (not walkway from garage) with large sink and counters.
Outlets strategically placed for holiday decorations (in and out).
That's all for now. Have fun! :)
Built in espresso machine.
Dimmers on lights in public rooms.
Pantry and linen closet doors that swing out, not sliding or bypass doors. Always stuff in the middle you can't see.
Think "good bones" like plenty of windows, 9 foot ceilings, large openings to rooms and hardwood floors all over. Those things are hard to add. You can other things over time, like built in bookcases in office or family room, crown moldings, etc. as the budget allows.
Rough in for central vac, even if you can't afford the vac system now. You can always buy/add that later.
Built in gates at stairways (built from same materials as your railings) for kids and dogs. Looks so much nicer and they function better too.
Charging station somewhere other than the kitchen - out of sight.
Have fun!
Something interesting to add, is whether you have thought about a scullery which leads to outside. I have included one in our plans, mainly because I like growing veg and can bring it into the scullery to wash etc.. also great to store an extra freezer...
Low light switches, great for kids and people in wheelchairs
In the great room, think about where your flat screen may be and put an outlet about 5 feet up to hide the cords.
Built in speakers in every room you want to listen to music.
Under cabinet lightening.
A couple of suggestions on lighting:
- A professional lighting designer is well worth it! Will suggest great ideas you never knew existed.
- Walk around and imagine where you will want wall switches so you don't have to walk across a room or entry to turn on/off lights. Bedside controls are great.
- Consider a lighting system with all-on/all-off features. We installed these at our front door, door to garage and bedside in master bedroom. SO GREAT to turn lights all-off when you go to sleep or leave the house! Ours has ability to program buttons to control sets of lights, i.e. turn on essential lights when you come into the house in the dark.
Good luck!
It seems like you are always unloading the dishwasher to reload the dishwasher.
With two of them--it never happens! I love it and I would do it again!
1. One handicapped accessible outside entry from garage, plus a bathroom, master bed, laundry, and all entertaining spaces, including the screened porch. 3-foot wide doors. We all grow older and we can experience mobility issues at any age or with family and friends who visit. Tops on my list were taller toilets for all the bathrooms -- oh, the luxury -- and they cost no more, and main floor laundry.
2. Easy to clean and keep clean: All floors are hardwood, tile, or vinyl, with area rugs.
3. Easy and cheap to heat/cool. Utility rates are going up, up, up & we all have some responsibility to do what we can: I used low E windows, geothermal heating and cooling (from the pond), solar panels, 2 by 6-inch wall studs, good insulation. The geothermal also has a bonus: provides some hot water. However, I didn't go for top of the line windows, insulation, etc. Some of those use more energy to make than they will save. I also found most parts made in the US and got a great deal on the solar, otherwise it would not have been cost-effective to import from China.
4. Wide roof overhangs and some rain barrels. A couple of DIY rain chains for fun.
5. I used pocket doors to save space and allow easy access in several places.
6. All showers include a detachable hand held as well as the standard shower head. Grab bars in each bathroom and bracing installed for adding more if needed.
7. An outside shower for coming in from the garden, a swim in the pond, or washing the dog.
8. Wall cubbies on the hall side of the walk-in pantry for pet food and water bowls that sit off the floor.
9. Bench in a niche by the backdoor to pull on boots, stow shoes under, hang hats, jackets, and dog leashes over, and shelves and cubbies for recharging, stowing stuff to take or drop off, or whatever.
10. Water faucets and outside outlets all around the hou
- wet bar in family room or entertaining room
- gas fireplaces (unless you live in an area where you really need serious heat from wood-burning fireplaces)
- every bedroom has its own full bathroom (love this one!)
- "taller" cabinets in bathrooms so that users aren't doing lots of bending over when doing sink tasks
- consider a skylight in any bathroom that doesn't have a window
- ceiling fans in bedrooms, and consider remote controls so they can be operated from in bed
- cabinet-depth refrigerator, or situate the refrigerator so it backs up to an area (e.g., a garage) where you can build in a recess so that a regular-depth refrigerator can fit without sticking out into the kitchen floor space
- conduction flat cooktop (very fast and efficient cooking)
- operable drawers under the cooktop that can hold all utensils
- hardwood floors in the kitchen
- storage cabinet over the built-in ovens/microwave that incorporates vertical dividers (great for storing trays and cookie sheets)
- use only drawers (no doors) on lower kitchen cabinets
- garage that enters into or pretty close to the kitchen so you don't have to trek through the whole house, or up the stairs, with packages
- Silgranit (granite/composite combination) sink in kitchen (low maintenance, beautiful, resists chips & scratches, safe up to 400+ degrees)
- trash compactor
- large (formal?) dining room
- tray ceilings (beautiful)
- generous crown moldings (also beautiful)
- bay windows (add space and provide areas of interest rather than just flat walls)
- if a 2-story house, front and back staircases if possible
- lots of extra insulation above garage, so any bedroom/bathroom above it won't be cold in winter or hot in summer
- whole-house surge protector
- back-up generator
- motion-sensing security lights outside on all sides of house
- security system on all doors and windows, rather than being motion sensors (that
- security system on all doors and windows, rather than being motion sensors (that way, you can arm the system and still be moving around in the rooms)
- deadbolt locks on all outside doors and door to basement
- full bathroom on main floor (especially good for elderly or post-surgical people) & of course include grab bars in tub/shower area
How deep are they? We're still in the design phase where we can make a change like this without incurring extra fees; appreciate any feedback. Thanks!
- Large closet at the back door where we keep all our own coats, shoes, etc.
- Large closet at the front door that's empty, for guest coats, shoes, etc.
- Warming drawer in kitchen, especially if you only have one oven
- Warming drawer in the bath for towels (Jacuzzi makes them)
- Custom cabinet with outlets and recessed area to drop cords into, at the edge of the kitchen, used for charging station, laptop desk
- Solatube tubular skylights in master closet, master bath & kitchen - with dimmers and lights inside
- Tip-out cabinet in bathroom with outlet inside and holders for blow dryer and curling iron
- Large, barrier-free shower
- 32" minimum (usually 36") doors throughout for possible future wheelchair access (it's our last home)
- Separate toilet room in master bath
- No stairs (I've had them, they're beautiful, hate going up & down stairs - plus there's that possible future wheelchair access. If you do stairs, put wood treads on them and not carpet.
- LED lighting wherever possible, including in risers of outside steps
- Lots of landscape lighting - plan ahead to run electrical outside where needed
- Baking center in kitchen with all the baking essentials at hand
- Dimmable, recessed light fixtures at the corners of the dining room (chandelier in the middle of the room) - it lights up the room more evenly
- LED undercabinet lighting in kitchen, alcove lighting on top
- Lights in all the closets
One last thing that I did on my current home : Think ahead about where you want your wall outlets. Too many contractors want to put them every six feet no matter how that falls. Think about your furniture placement & put make sure they go where you'll need them. Also make sure thermostats won't interfere with your wall decor.
Under vanity lights in the bathroom that come one as you walk into the room. Set them on 5 minute timers.
Laundry shoots in the walls.
Speaking of flooring and tile - buy a little extra to have on hand - just in case. You'll find in five years time that they will no longer be available if you need to make a small repair. Same goes for any fabric you use for drapery or upholstery.
Good luck!
Second, if this is your forever house, consider what your family needs now, what your family will need when the kids are old, when the kids are gone, when grandkids visit, and when your health declines. Consider universal design principles now so that if one day everything changes (as it did for me when I sustained a traumatic brain injury), retrofiting your house is one thing you DON'T have to worry about. Incorporate things like wide doorways and hallways, rockers instead of switches, levers instead of door knobs, drawers instead of cabinets, zero-entry doors and showers, microwave drawers, multi-height counters in your kitchen, level transitions between rooms, adequate lighting, etc.
Try not to think of trends. Focus first on what's practical, then finish the way you like. A pot filler is a good example of a trend, if you want to pay the extra expense of putting in a water line, at least put in a sink within a step or two, or your negate the benefit of not having to carry a pot of water. (Of course, if you have a sink right next to the stove, it seems silly to have a pot filler, too. I just don't get that trend at all). Consider flow, function, layout, etc.
All that said, two weeks in, here are a few things we LOVE about our house:
* 2 story full ICF construction: our house is QUIET, ultra-energy efficient (HERS score of 41 without geothermal or solar), solid, and strong. We didn't even hear all the storms the last few days.
* cork floors: green, easy to clean, soft, quiet, beautiful.
* Instahot: we are big tea drinkers. I'd never want to be without it.
* walk in pantry. LO
* master suites on both main and upper floors. Great for guests, and we can move downstairs when the stairs become difficult.
* all energy star appliances and water sense water features (low flow fixtures, dual flush toilets, etc) = wonderfully low utility bills
* quartz countertops. easy to clean, ours have 24% recycled material, no sealing.
* touch activated recycling center and faucets in the kitchen. No dirty, sticky messes.
* mudroom!
* lots of storage
* laundry on both floors for long term planning
* great location with friendly neighbors and sidewalks
Also, keep in mind, your house will cost more than you realize. Just expect that because that will be the most stressful part of the process (hopefully!). Between things that come up (finding clay that has to be dug through in your foundation), vendors raising costs, and the likelihood that as you research your options you'll likely spend now to spend once...give yourself a buffer that take the changes and upgrades in stride.
Good luck and enjoy the process. We chronicled our whole process so others could learn from our experiences and better anticipate all the hiccups and fun in the journey!
Soundproofing is one of those things people don't think about until it's too late. Going from hardwoods to cork, our house is SO much quieter, and the cork is much easier to care for than hardwoods. I'm sure the 12" concrete walls (ICF) help with the quiet, too!
2. Depending on your part of the country consider installing a walk-in safe room. Ours came from Family Safe in Tulsa.
3. If you have lousy soil, amend it before laying sod or planting in garden areas. Once the plants are down, you're limited in what you can do.
4. Make a nice laundry/utility room. We come and go every day thru that room because it has access to our cars in the garage. Only guests use our front door.
I hope this is'nt all repeats, but, if repeated, then you know that it's a must-have! Good luck. (*my advice on painting? NO white ceilings! Just use a lighter shade of the wall color!)
OoOoOoo one more thing...NO cheapy light switch and plug-in covers......That is my pet-peeve! There are sooooo many awesome covers to go w/each room's decor! FUN! ;o) deb *Don't forget curtain-less (door-less) walk in showers! *Use a solar-tube in shower for great lighting!
Check out my Houzz page or TVCoverups.com for a better idea of how it works.
A well built house will be more cost effective and "green" in the long run. The greenest material really isn't, if 10 years down the road it needs to be removed and disposed of because of repairs and maintenance. I've seen too many construction sites where the membranes, flashing, roofing are poorly done and will shorten the longevity of the building.
Our firm has been fortunate to be recognized with design awards and publications, but in the end it is less the visible aspects of the design that are the most important in our work. Rather, it is our part in creating efficient well-built homes that are tailored to our clients' lifestyles that is most rewarding.
thank you
*re:water seepage....watch a few DIY or HGTV episodes on installing a shower...I'd definitely use that orange moisture-barrier wrap, under the tile work.
I had a booth at three Home & Garden Shows, I sold over 630 in only three weekends. It was a jaw dropping experience to most that saw my invention and how easily it gets rid of excessive cord length.
Please look at my website, www.Cordini.biz look at the "Before & After" photos and the installation video you can see yourself that this product works on every oulet in your home. It's new, it's unique, it's tough, it's Cordiini!
Overview of product
I invented the Cordini – a cord storage product -- to help eliminate excessive cord length. But, it has the potential to do so much more! Store cords easily and eliminate excessive cord length, and more importantly potential safety hazards, with the new Cordini.
Using the Cordini can help prevent accidents, eliminate trip hazards and keep toddlers and pets safe. Use the Cordini with a variety of appliances, including: cell phone chargers, floor lamps, table lamps, oscillating fans, alarm clocks, desktop speaker wires, telephone wires, electric toothbrushes, electric shavers, pencil sharpeners, televisions, stereos, radios, PS3 boxes, paper shredders, printers, blenders, candle warmers the list is virtually endless.
There are two versions of this unique product: the Recess Cordini and the Flush Cordini. Both are easy to install, only takes a screwdriver!
I didn't see anyone mention raising the dishwasher - it's not all that uncommon anymore, but seems like a fantastic thing for aging backs.
Also, I think it's a must to have some kind of filing cabinet and desk area wherever the mail enters the house with an outlet for a shredder and space for trash and recycled paper.
I've been told that range hoods can be built with a fan that installs on the roof (vs. in the hood?) and that this is much quieter.
I am contemplating a second, small door for the frameless shower so it can be opened to access the faucets without getting wet.
Has anyone got any brilliant cat-box solutions for indoor-only cats? I am thinking about retrofitting the space beneath a little-used sink and running a vent/fan through the wall up to the roof. The sink in question backs up to the master walk-in where I think we can cut a cat-door opening and install some carpet-lined sauna tubing that the little monsters will have to walk through to get in and out (no more litter tracked in hallway). Cleaning will be easy enough because I will just open the under-sink cabinet and reach in (plus I am hoping to find hardware like I've seen on some coffee tables that lifts up and forward).
If I had the space, I would install a small, stacking washer-dryer in the master bath for towels.
My designer set up a "cook's seat" on the kitchen island that is across from the traditional bar seating. We're putting open shelving underneath the counter there. While cutting veggies, etc., the cook can rest his/her feet (also, this is where pet food dishes will be set).
We are designing a window "seat" that is really a bed (for grandchildren) with a privacy curtain (for napping).
There are two kitchen gadgets I've been checking out: touch-operated faucet and push-button garbage disposal operation at side of sink (vs. the old, far-away wall-switch).
Speaking of storage, it makes sense to plan ahead for storage for all of your media products (the DVDs and games) as well as the charge-able items and, if you are of the age of being or soon-to-be grandparents, don't forget about space for toys for "visiting firemen".
I would also include some way of viewing the front door without being there - even just a web-cam.
1. add interior lights to skylight shafts
2. use a raised drip sink in the laundry with a kitchen spray type faucet for washing cats and small dog.
3. use radio frequency switches to eliminate all 3,4, or 5 way switch runners. (saves a lot of copper)
4. rough in for solar panels and generators
5. design wet room baths (all drain to linear wall drain)
6. run ext. duplexs to all out side light locations so you can build inexpensive custom light covers to cover plug in led light bulbs
7. use stud cavities for extra storage not just the medicine cabinet.
8. add slot wall to storage areas & closets
9. use kitchen facaucet with spray spouts med way on the counter instead of the back. (for rinsing hair or handicap access.
10.a use two manifolds for plumbing where long runs waste pipe
10.b When using tank-less gas hot water heaters add a codo size elec tankless unit on the the hot supply for the 2nd manifold.
11. use between 24"center windows at the top of walls since this does not require headers.
12. consider radiant ceiling panels over tile as a more cost effective alternitive to under floor heat.
13. use old wall to wall carpet for ground cover in gardens, landscape beds and under dry streambeads
14. use bio cystic mats under concrete and paver to hinder root growth of trees
15. build in a one piece condensing washer dryer in the master closet
16. use SIPs pre-cut panels for interior walls for custom circle or other shaped passage doors.
17. consider a panic or storm room with reinforced walls and separate communication gear, water,food waste disposal.
18. in multi story structure consider framing into the floor an elevator shaft location or extra wide stair cases for handicap access.
19.rough in a under crawl or under slab 6" PVC radon gas exit port through the roof.
20. run a vampire circuit on bottom port of duplexes to be able to shut off power to unused appliances.
21. run duplexes with ubs jacks in convenient locations.
22.use plant through pavers to reduce site run off in parking areas
given these and the earlier items we should end up with a list of top 100 must have if your building a new home.
If you put in light-sensing thermostats, make sure they are not in dark corridors.
If you are building a forever-house, you do have to think about the times you'll be having those knee operations...and how to getup the dang front steps! Not hitting the wheelchair on woodwork, going thru doorways, (the door gets scraped or the door frame does).
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg0418014712443.html?26
Be SURE all the windows open for easy cleaning from inside the house.
A. Site planning
1. Passive solar - know and use southeast to south west for most windows in climates that have a heating season
2. Clear all organics from the building zone
3. prepare site access for delivery trucks (use available crushed concrete from the ready mix yard as most will sell it for little or nothing to clean up their yard ask about water damaged bags of mortar & cement)
B. Footing
1. Footing step down should lap to double depth by no less than 8"
2. Adding fiber to the concrete is cheap insurance against failure.
3. If adding steel to footings use chairs - rebar must be isolated from ground contact or it will rust out and weaken the footing not strengthen it. (metal grade stakes should not have direct contact with rebar)
4. Anticipate ordering slightly more yardage than you need, but be prepared to use the left overs (cutting sona tube concrete forming tubes in 4 or 5 inch deep slices let you make stepping stones for example)
C. Foundation
1.Add PVC sleeves for utility passages
2.consider seismic spacers between top of foundation and sill plate (note: holes through plate should be larger than normal to reduce transfer of movement.
3.after applying weatherproofing where necessary, apply a hydrostatic spacer fabric to foundation and field drains
4.use a continuous Metal insect shield between between foundation and sill plate caulk penetrations and/or apply boric acid paste.
D. Framing
1. drill drainage holes in floor deck as necessary to avoid standing water.
2. have field shop crown and mark all wall members and headers. (walls= all arrows pointing the same direction when assembled, Headers = crown pointed up)
3. be aware there are articulated top and bottom plates for forming curved walls
4. use California corners to avoid voids of un instated space or pre insulate corners and T's before sheeting.
5. check that point loads have studs and blocking all the way to foundation or properly sized beams.
6. remember if windows are less than 22 1/2 RO they do not require headers, just scrap material for nailers.$$
7.consider using custom pre cut SIPs ( structural insulate panels) for circle or other custom shaped passages
8. Cantilevered trusses allow for full at the wall/ceiling insulation and a ready made soffits
9. .Use SIPs for exterior walls.
10. consider 2 x 6 interior walls where a ref area can be dropped back to 2 x 4 and eliminate the cost of cabinet deep ref.
11. keep select wall areas for use of stud cavities storage clear of wires and ducts.
12.add blocking for curtains, towel bars, handicap rails or any anticipated heavy wall loads
13. pre frame for pet doors, safes, ect.
14. use 5/4 plastic deck lumber exterior under door sills
15. up grade to screw shank 12cc framing and 16cc nails (high wind construction)
16.use foam sill sealers under exterior wall plates
17.use pre insulated box type headers or at least 1/2" foil faced foam board for spacer when construction headers.
18. use steel studs for kitchen walls or any wall with major cabinet work.
19. use full 8' not pre-cuts for wall members the extra 4 1/2 inches makes the rooms working better for ceiling fans and upgrades of door heights and wider trim. Fill space at bottom with 1/2 plywood for base trim. (true for 9' and 10' material as well) field shop should verify length when marking crowns.
20. double check wall plumb. (self leveling laser or string plumb)
Rough Ins
Plumbing
1. run crawl or under slab to out the roof pvc radon vent
2. run exit collars for utilities in the foundation
3. run pvc roof vent pipe with wire pull to future active solar panel locations.
4. consider double manifold installation to shorten supply runs when using cross linked polymer lines
5. run pvc and line pull to secondary circuit board for future generator
6. If using a gas tank-less unit (best choice) consider an elec. tankless unit at the 2nd manifold location to boost temperatures for longer runs
7.consider 30" counter tops on exterior sink walls to allow plumbing to run behind cabinets not in the wall. (colder climates)
8.consider trap clean outs on sink drains even if not required.
9.add outside bibs no less that 30' appart
10. consider a gray water and/or rain water capture and store for landscape and gardening use
11. consider running drip irragation to trees and landscape as as opposed to sprinklers.
12.rough in for future exterior uses. (water features, hot tub, mist coolers, outdoor shower, pet bathing area or future pool)
13. add garage drains at the garage door for washing out the garage and to prevent water coming into the garage for outside.
14.run recirculation plumbing for water feature.
15.roll in shower framed - double up joist tapered to meet drainage and span requirements
roll in shower slab - hold fill down to allow shower floor to taper to linear drain on low end
16. large tub filler - chrome nipple on 3/4" hot and cold lines coming out of the ceiling and dropping into tub (save$$$ over expensive roman tub spouts)
17.run hot and cold lines to toilet / bidet mixer (remember you may need elec. outlet behind toilet)
18. wet bar and or tub filler line rough in
19. on 2nd floor baths run cast iron 2nd to 1st floor drains for sound reduction
20. remember refrigerator ice cub water supply
21. Install shower valves with built in diverted for switching from rain to hand shower (few available)
22. locate full house water shut off in easy to reach location (individual shut off exist per fixture, but don't forget an interior shut off for the water run to garden water bib.
23. Insulate hot water lines to reduce heat loss
24. Make sure copper lines do not have direct contact with slab or concrete work
25 if using copper lines throughout make sure to attach them to a grounding rod for lightning protection
26. add a drain line 3" plus to safe or storm room
27. make sure field drains gravity flow to downstream outliet. or are pumt to a pit with a sump pump.
29. add a reverse flow stop vlave in the main drain lines
30. roof vents should be out of site from the street.
31. consider a water fountain
All the suggestions posted on this thread have been so valuable, though I'm sure many of you (like myself) find your head spinning with all the ideas, so I just sat down and categorized them all!
Closet & Organization
- Plugs in several closets
- Make sure your closet has enough space for both double hung rods, and singles to accomadate long clothes
- Full size broom cupboard in pantry or laundry room to hide all the cleaning items away from sight.
- More closet/linen space than you think you'll need
- Cubbies in mudroom with an outlet in each one
- Motion sensor on pantry and closet lights
Bath
- Plug in master toilet closet for night light
- Outlets inside vanity cabinets (upper and lower) in bathroom for dryer etc.
- Heated towels racks
- Don't caulk the bottom of your toilet to the tile to hide potential leaks
- Make use of the pony wall in a bathroom by turning it into storage.
- Vac pans for hair
- Appliance garage on counter
Outdoor
- Run conduit under the driveway for future wiring or plumbing needs
- Prewire speakers both indoor and outdoor
- Ensure you have hose outlets and power on all 4 sides of your house, and on top of any raised areas
- Hot/cold outdoor water is good for washing pets
- Motion sensor pre-wire for selected exterior lights
- Keypad entry on garage door (Keypad entry on front door is great as well)
- Gas line to grill
Kitchen
- Plugs in kitchen pantry for charging, or for items that may end up living there
- Recess the fridge
- With wide islands put cabinets on the both sides. While they are not easy to get to, they are good for storing seldomly used items.
- Built in paper towel holder
- Custom storage organization in kitchen drawers
- Warming drawer in dining room
- Pantry entrance near both kitchen and garage
- Custom shelves and a place to plug in appliances in pantry
- Plugs above cabinets for Christmas lighting
- Set up for both gas and electric appliances
- Pantry door on swivel
- Pantry light on motion sensor
- Copper tubing for your ice maker from the freezer and until it's out of the kitchen wall
- Drawer microwave
- Knife drawer
- Pull-out garbage/recycling/laundry (for dirty dish towels/napkins/bibs!)
- Paper towel holder in drawer slot
- Drawers for all lower cabinets (more efficient use of space)
- Two soap pumps at sink (one for handsoap, one for dish soap)
- Easy-access place to store frequently used appliances
- place to hang hand towels & aprons
Electrical & Plumbing
- Prewire security system & cameras
- Run wire and prepare roof for future solar
- Run a 2" PVC pipe up from the basement to the attic for future wiring needs, some suggested double conduits.
- Seperate 20z circut with outlets at waist height in garage to plug in tools
- Seperate 20z ciructe for TV and a/v equipment
- Identify areas for low voltage can/rack
- Pre-wring for music and speakers, inside and outside
- iPad controllers in the walls to control whole house music systems
- Pre-wire for generator to essential areas
- Carbon monozide unit on the wall upstairs
- Make sure plumbing in bathrooms are done correctly. One commenter's toilet was placed too close to the tub pipes so I couldn't get the deeper tub because they didn't allow room.
- Cast iron pipes for the plumbing drops from the second floor cuts down on noise
- Take pictures of all the walls before Sheetrock went up so you knew where all the wiring was in case you needed to add or change anything.
- Include a 220V to garage (tools, future electric car etc)
- Measure the location of anything under the slab, and various utilities out in the yard.
- Run an
I also had the cabinents made Europeon design...meaning no space between the cabinent doors...adds a nice clean finish and no middle supports in the cabinent. We also like our soft closing doors/drawers. We have many drawers in the base cabinents, particularly for the containers of flour, sugar, salt. Our center island has our sinks, work space...etc. By accident we discovered that we can swiel the sink facuet around to the work space to fill pots...and then move them to the stove. It is not a pot filler at the stove ...but darn close!
Our pantry is huge...big enough that we have storage, cookbook shelves, freezer and wine cooler.
We love our walk in shower in the Master....we were told to wait til winter and then we would want to add a shower door....hasn't happen yet and I love not having a door or curtain to keep clean. we have a hand held shower head with a turn on handle near it and a regular head with a thermostat handle for both shower heads and a seperate turn on the water handle for the regular head near where we step in. That was my husbands idea and it is great. I usually turn on both regular and handheld which I have lower for a wonderful shower experience.
So many more good things that we did....still working on finishing. Couldn't find some lights or bathroom mirrors at the time and the contractor just finished off the wiring. Over the past two years we have found what we really wanted, at the price that we wanted and then installed.
With floor outlets they ran wire to the area we wanted them but waited to punch through the floor...they suggested living in the house awhile and until we decided where the furniture would go and then they would come back and install them...2 years later and we are still waiting because I am going to get new furniture!
Good luck...It was fun but sometimes very exhausting when doing it from afar and dealing with several subcontractors all in the same time period. I am use to multi tasking and was ready....but I wasn't ready for how fast some things happened when you had to factor in ordering and delivery time. Some days my brain was fried when we were on site!
Don't forget the raised cat litter platform in the bath for the cats. On my last project I did a raised (storage under ) drip sink next to the washer dryer that doubled as litter box area for ease of clean up. Are you owner builders?
One item I missed on my class outline above was the use of used concrete and bags of dead mortar and cement. These are often available free to who ever will haul them away as it helps suppliers to clean up their yards
We have tankless water heaters in two houses and I do not like them! I waste so much water trying to get to the hot water. The maintenance is more also. The big plus though is long hot showers and a jetted tub filled with hot water.
We love our Toto Washlet seat in our master bath.
KITCHEN
Extra "drink fridge" in the kitchen
Outlet above cabinets for LED lighting
Under cabinet lighting
Deep drawers instead of lower cabinets
Magnetic light switch in kitchen pantry
Gas line running to the deck for grill hookup
Pet food drawers / storage
? Silgranit sink
220 line in garage (hybrid car or appliance)
OUTSIDE / GARAGE
Hose spigot near the front of the garage.
Heavy-duty outlet outside of garage
Utility sink in the garage with spray faucet
Spot light between garage bays
Cable outlet in garage
Switched flood lights in rear and driveway
Speaker wire runs in garage and outdoor speakers for driveway
Conduit under sidewalk for running future lights
Keypad entry wired on outside of garage door
FAMILY ROOM
Outlet above mantle
One switched outlet in the living room for X-Mas tree
Insulation in family room ceiling to dampen sound
FOYER / HALLS / POWDER ROOM / STAIRS
Outlet near the steps for garland lights on railing
Taller toilet in powder room
Taller vanity in powder room
Deeper treads on stairs
MASTER BED / BATH
Plywood or other backing on bathroom wall where towel racks will go
Outlet inside vanity for charging items (shaver, toothbrush, etc)
Tall and elongated toilet
Pocket door seperating toilet/shower from sink and tub
Extra insulation on floor to prevent cold air from garage below
Window in WIC to provide fresh air
? Cost of cast iron plumbing drops from upstairs drains
LAUNDRY
Utility sink with spray faucet
Drain in floor
Insulate floor as sound barrier (maybe sound-proof material under washer and dryer)
DINING ROOM
? Tray ceiling
4 recessed lights - one in each corner of room
Chandler in center
ELECTRICAL
Whole house surge protector
Connection for generator (with LED to indicate power on)
Access to power for future landscape lighting
If you are building a dream home from your own imagination on your own site, without restrictions.Have a roof that faces south in the best degree for solar shingles or solar panels. One big long slant facing south.
I often entertain informally with everyone bringing dishes that need reheating. Several microwaves are a must for myself
I did see this mentioned once briefly but if it is at all in the budget a elevator or a elevator shaft. A good friend of mine parents built their dream beach house 30 years ago. The best views are from the 4th floor, the main street level is Garage and etc, next level is the open great rm and kit etc, next level is bedrooms. This house was so well laid out you wouldn't believe it. Floor to ceiling windows every level. Anyway they are in their eighties now and the last few years the elevator has come in very handy. We always used it for carrying those heavy bags! They both are still using the stairs mainly to be healthy but some days it is a handy to have that elevator after that bike ride.
Thanks for all the tips
www.universaldesignstyle.com
schafferconstruction.com ( specializes in Universal Design)
ergonomics.about.com
The Action Fire Repair site has a photo of paved walker steps for outdoors. The riser is shallow, and the tread is deep enough that someone using a walker/walking frame can fully mount the step before proceeding to the next one.
Folks with vision problems such as macular degeneration often need high contrast. It is not necessary to use black and white.
For example, in the bathroom, put high contrast tile around the faucet, faucet handles, the edge of the built-in bathing/shower seat, the drain, and the Curbless entry to the shower. A dark tiled shower might have reflective metallic gold glass tiles for the contrast.
In the kitchen, a contrasting color is helpful for the edges of counters and tables. Saves picking up so many "almost set the glass all the way on the surface" spills.
I am a sculptor and high end furniture designer so what else could I recommend you! :-)
I invite you to visit my site www.gonzalodesalas.com/en
I do every sculpture's project on demand so I could even create some new pieces for you.
Here are some examples.
The idea is to have some kind of relevant piece of art that will give a strong personality to the place where it is putt.
Hope you like the idea.
DO NOT put in popcorn ceilings.
Convenient storage in or near the dining room for extra folding chairs, extra table leaves, table linens, etc.
Have your builder or electrician mark all the breakers in the box and mark the corresponding outlets. Write numbers on the inside of switch plates, and correspond them to breakers. It will make your life easier, especially with a large house.
Rough-in for a bathroom in the basement even if you don't need it yet.
Make sure stairways are wide enough for a lift chair in case you need it in the future.
If you have beautiful specimen trees, or yard sculpture, etc, try to get a view from more than one vantage point inside the house. And consider running electricity so you can light beautifully.
Some sort of sheltered shelf or bench at the outside of your front door to rest packages when you're coming/going and need to use keys at the door. Also for use it as a place for package delivery.
Install a retractable clothesline in your shower and/or tub, like the ones in hotels.
If you're building a large enough deck, make all the side railings into benches.
Use standard sized things where you can, so when it's time to replace you won't have to have the replacements custom-made.
Lever door handles rather than round. You can open them by pushing down with your elbow if your hands are full.
We installed corner guards to protect our walls from the ravages of a power wheelchair. Not the little clear ones, but the ones you see in hospital corridors. They have saved us many tiny repairs.
eztia and others have mentioned Universal Design. I wouldn't build a house from scratch without incorporating those concepts! Also, look at the ADA guidelines to get specific measurements for doors, bathrooms, etc. (For example, if you haven't ever thought about it before, you might not realize that plumbing under your roll-under vanity or kitchen sink needs to be out of the way of knees when in a wheelchair, and also insulated to keep knees from being burned.) Much easier to build it "right" the first time than retrofit.
Have a place in your garage for a "donate" bin, to collect things where they're close to your car and you're more likely to actually get them donated instead of gathering dust.
Try not to have too many bends in your HVAC ducts.
Garage doors on the front and back (of the same garage), so you can get your riding lawnmower out without having to move the car. Or at least a back or side door to the garage for easy access from outside.
If you anticipate needing a wheelchair, think about the size of a side-loading ramp van. Make sure there is room to roll around the van and onto the ramp. (also, take into consideration that the ramp typically on the passenger side).
If you live in a cold climate, think about snow removal when planning your driveway and walkways. You need somewhere to dump the snow without destroying your landscaping.
I know also, no matter what---I have to have/can not live w/out a Reverse Osmosis system (since ours needed repairs, last month, and hauling in gallons of water is not a fun chore at our age!)
ours, of course: http://www.dejongdreamhouse.com
http://icfbuild.blogspot.com/
http://thehomeonthehill.blogspot.com/ (just getting started)
http://modernwinnipeg.squarespace.com/
http://imaginationcorporation.com/house-project/
http://www.lizerhomestead.blogspot.com/
Vegas National Home Building show next week, you may watch NHBA TV which will cover the show.
I do the same thing in a lot of kitchens to hide pantry doors as well. Even did the classic moving bookshelf that revealed an indoor shooting range, for those of you that like to hone your shooting skills while still in your PJ's. Believe it or not that is not the weirdest thing I have built for home owners. I could keep going but I am certain I hear someone snoring.
@embracegrace, without a land line, is there a way to send and receive faxes? That's the primary reason I've kept a land line. It's an awful expense just for that and I'd love an alternative.
We did something similar in a bathroom remodel, for installing grab bars.
I installed smurf tube in teh walls to key locations and can pull anything in and out that I want. Let me know if you need details..
new question: single story home, laundry next to master bath. I am thinking of asking for a "see through" cabinet for the wall between the laundry and master bath; as you take towels out of the dryer, you fold them, open a door and place them on shelves. on the other side, you take the towel out to use, and when dirty, put it on the bottom shelf and while in laundry pull off and put in hamper. should there be a cabinet door on both sides or just one? has anyone had something like this? i would like to avoid putting a door between laundry and master bath (too many doors already) also could have laundry chute that goes just between the two rooms.
Kim Lange, could you give me more specific detail about how you nailed up the blocking between the studs? Is the blocking on the flat? Can you nail up a straight line of blocking at the same height across several studs? Thanks - great ideas to bring to my contractor tomorrow!
I'm envisioning a hamper type basket in the lower section, that "rocks" between rooms, so you can pull it toward you on either side. Top can be shelves, as you described.
@Custom Home Planning Center....you have very lucky cats! Such a great idea! Are these cat pipes just short pieces between two adjacent rooms, or a pathway inside the walls? (Have you read the Heinlein book "The Cat Who Walks Through Walls?")
I may actually get rid of my "home phone"!
If your kitchen shares a common wall with your garage, put in a small (about 2' wide and 2' tall-ish) door into your kitchen pantry. Saves the time of hauling all of the groceries into the house and distributing. Just open small door and put groceries directly where they need to go!
You do not have to buy the special bags either; I just buy heavy duty large trash bags. But, no dog can get in the trash. YUou can store more in the secure drawer before emptying b/c you can easily compact boxes etc.
Another wonderful idea is having a "walk-in" closet at the front door with a door. With a small built in you have area for coats, jacets, shoes and things that are in your hand that always end up on the entry table. The ones I have seen are not bigger and usually smaller than a traditonal entry closet. It's great to hide the clutter that so easily accumulates at the front door by just closing a door. The door options are endless to add to the decor rather than distract from it.
They also have the option of voice mail and a virtual secretary. Something to look into to see if it's right for you.
Another way to add a lot of storage space is with a hanging shoe organizer with pockets. I have one inside a closet door, and the pockets hold lots of little tools and things. Mine has mesh pockets, so I used plastic cups inside the pockets to keep little things (like little tiny screwdrivers, and my scissor collection) from falling through or cutting the mesh.
You're very wise to consider aging in place. Part of the fun for my husband and I was dreaming and considering the needs we would have for our house when our son is young, a teen, as empty nesters, and with grandkids visiting, as well as what we would need if either of us developed any mobility issues. You can read more about our earth-friendly, energy-efficient, and universally designed home here: http:/www.dejongdreamhouse.com.
Enjoy the process!
•"To be approved by owner."
•Also specify that you will get reimbursed for any allowances that go unspent. (Otherwise the builder can legally keep that money.)
Doubling up on some appliances when you build is very cost effective. We installed 2:
sinks, fridges (second is refrigerator drawer close to family room and dining room), SILENT dishwashers, microwaves (one is built in drawer microwave in island - can use a microwave as a warming drawer), laundry rooms upstairs and on main floor where master bedroom is.
Make sure there are spigots and elec outlets on each side of the exterior of your house.
We added 2 extra spigots towards the back of the yard (1/2 acre).
Love my:
- 10 x 30 ft porch with outlets on both sides of front door.
- 7 x 5 ft kitchen island with cabinets on 4 sides, outlets, and room for 4 stools. Use it for all kinds of projects - great to have a large workspace. Love to have friends sit there while we cook when entertaining.
- Few base cabinets - many pull out drawers. One reinforced to hold all heavy pots and pans. Garbage can on track in cabinet.
- Non-pretentious house. Intimate and comfortable feel due to size of rooms and 9 ft ceiling height.
- Master bedroom on main floor with laundry room next door.
- Reading lights in ceiling over bed.
- Large shower in master bath with 27 inch wide bench and waterproof cushion so we can lay down after jogging. 3 shower heads.
- Double use dining room. I use it as an office. Built it in the southwest corner so it is also a sunroom and it has a bay window with window seat built in. Built in cabinets in that room double for dining buffet or office storage. We don't use a formal dining room but use the breakfast room for all meals.
- Landscaping planned to provide views from most windows.
- Many, many windows and windows are close to floor to maximize light. Also kitchen windows come down to back splash.
- Bead board ceilings on porches stained beautiful color. Everyone says how beautiful they are and they are not expensive.
- Large TV hung on articulating arm. Had wall braced for it especially.
- Keyless remote entry.
- Fans in bedroom and bathroom as well as other rooms.
- Elec outlets inside bathroom cabinets easily accessible through drawers for built in sit down makeup table.
- Paneling and wainscoting in white painted wood along stairway and in passageway. Lots of white trim throughout house interior and exterior. Including trim at corners of house.
- 6 inch high baseboards. Larger than standard size molding around interior and exterior windows and doors. (5 inch outdoors, 3.5 indoors.)
- Wide, wide hallways
- Closets with automatic lights and shelves above the rod.
- Interior and exterior French doors with transoms.
- Pocket door in foyer provides privacy from front entry to the rest of the house, if we wish it.
- Large garage with sufficient room to open car doors.
Insulate for sound dampening interior walls: shared walls between bathroom/bedroom, laundry room wall/great room, and kitchen/bedroom.
Note: this is only done just before you poly seal the walls to avoid body or lung contact, after all it is poison and should be treated with respect.
http://www.wellhome.com/blog/2012/01/could-blue-jean-insulation-be-a-good-fit-for-your-home/
I would strongly suggest you establish your budget first and foremost. All the dreaming in the world won't mean a thing unless you have the means to make it happen. Start with what you can afford to budget towards your projects. What will your finances allow you to include and the cost of getting it.
Here's some suggestions that should be included in your budget. 1. Land cost. 2. Design / Engineering fees. 3) Construction contingency. 4.) Soft cost (i.e. insurance, permits. 5. Hard Cost (construction materials and labor). 6. Furnishings.................these all come out of what you can afford.
At the lest, you need to start with items 2, 3, & 4........subtracting these from your budget amount will give you your working item 5 budget.................
Next, get you a thorough and detailed set of plans and specs that will establish the bench mark for bids, construction and the inevitable conflict resolutions.........and yes, you will have conflicts on the site.
You wouldn't even thinking about making a cross country trek through Yellowstone National Park with out a map, compass and the proper equipment would you.........well, it's the same thing with building your dream home. It begins with preparation and that begins with the realities of what you can afford and getting it down on paper.....................start off right.
Run a gas line to the garage, and install a rinnai wall heater unit in the future. That's what I'm doing now.
Building a custom home is exciting! Making everything with your touch, nothing better! We have a lot of products to compliment your design at www.newaybidet.com from bidet toilet seat attachments to complete vanity sets for a great deal! Email me at steven@newaybidet.com for a special "Melissa" discount!
Cheers,
Steven
Try www.sillites.com, I love these! Our builder had these in the model and we got them. So happy we did!
2 floor laundry is a must! I have it and will never go back!
*A kids secret playroom off of the bonus room (with an air vent for circulation)
*Add a dormer in bonus room with a window seat
*A 3rd garage
*Opening Windows on all sides of the house
*Drawer in the kitchen for the unsightly trash & recycling
*Outlets on both sides of the front door- for decor
*Gas line outside for grill
*Hot-tub hookups outside
*Extended patio area with fire pit built in and dains into grass and not on concrete
*Pergola off of house
*Outlet above the kitchen cabinets for rope lighting
*Rope lighting below counter in kids bath for night lighting
*A 220 Volt outlet in the garage for generator or an electrical car charging station (future selling feature)
*Wide stairs - installed a slide for the kids!
*STORM SHELTER in the garage - or even under the kitchen with a trap door (we live in Oklahoma!)
*A trap door above the garage leading into the bonus room- to avoid hauling furniture inside the house.
*Installed ironing board cupboard for laundry room ($149 @ HomeDepot)
*Installed cabinet between studs to hide unsightly Plunger, toilet brush and toilet cleaner ($40 Home Depot)
*Dimmer switches for lighting-especially in master bedroom - (bow chica dow now)
*Door from walk-in closet to Laundry room- or a cabinet that opens on both sides
*Hamper near kids bathroom
*Dog house in space under the stairs
*Sprinkler system hooked up to a different source than house water- cost savings- most of our $ for water goes
to treatment and sprinkler system doesn't need re-treatment.
*Media Center for router, speaker system...in a hall closet - add extra shelving
*Outlets in Closets for dust-buster charging...
*Outlet in thrown room (toilet) for air freshener
*2 shower heads in Master shower - with body sprayers if possible - for shared showers
*Shower bench, built in shampoo shelves
* Cable outlets in 2 places in Master suit so you can switch around furniture
*Small glass tiles to separate Tile and carpet spaces
* Built in Garage storage (balls, lawn tools ...)
* Mud room (bench with hooks and cubbies at garage entrance)
* Exterior lighting on house to show off different features
* Space for a small deep freezer in garage ($150)
Ok I'll stop there- These are just a few ideas we are doing in the house we are building now.
Hope they are helpful in your build. I enjoyed reading all of the above ideas!
"A trap door above the garage leading into the bonus room- to avoid hauling furniture inside the house."