Discover the Latest Innovations & Client Favorites in Home Construction

Not all of us have the luxury of building homes from the ground up. Usually, we renovate, remodel, and add details that we love to the house.

But what if we were building our dream homes from start to finish? This provides the unique opportunity to include astonishing features that we may otherwise never find in a home listed for sale.

Let’s look at what’s trending in new builds and what TPC clients have included in their home builds that have been big hits.

1.  Mud Room with a Pet Washing Station 

A pet lover’s dream! You don’t have to get your favorite furry friend into the tub or outdoors to get lathered, cleaned up, and rinsed thoroughly. A washing station – in the mudroom/laundry room or the garage is the answer – and this can be included in a new build/custom home or a renovation.

2. Jetted Laundry Sink

Not every piece of laundry goes directly into the washing machine. Sometimes, delicate clothing or items with hard stains must be soaked. This is where the laundry sink comes in. Wouldn’t it be practical to have a laundry sink “that uses air jets to the water so you can achieve a deep clean on delicates without damaging them?” All you have to do is pop your clothes into the sink and let the air jets do the work, like a hot tub for your clothes.

3.  Double Kitchen Islands/Dual Workstations 

The kitchen remains the hub/heart of the home, where families congregate, cook together, and celebrate. If your family loves to cook and entertain – and if two or more family members are cooking at the same time, having two kitchen islands/workstations is one of the most efficient and attractive ways to add workspace in the area. What can be better than a pair of islands or dual workstations equipped with cooktops, two sinks, extra cupboards, and garbage/recycling cans?

4.  Under-Cabinet Outlets 

Talk about a bright idea! Imagine countertops without cords, outlets, and switches. Lighting and power outlets installed directly under cabinets make the kitchen workspace brighter, neater, and clutter-free, and focus on a unique backsplash pattern. Under-cabinet lighting adds ambiance to the space, makes your kitchen seem more extensive, and connects with smart-home devices for energy savings.

5.  Garage/Grocery Pantry Doors 

This is one of the most practical items you can add to your home, provided that your pantry and garage share a wall. When you get home from the grocery store or one of the big warehouse stores, you still need to lug all of your goodies into and through the house to the kitchen. This is where you unpack everything and put it all away in the pantry. But what if you had a fire-safe pass-through from the garage directly into the pantry? You could unload your groceries so much faster and right into the pantry - no more carrying a 40-pack of water through the house! To give you an idea of how much space the door takes up in your garage and pantry, it's roughly about half the size of a full door. 

6.  Skylights for Stargazing 

Why not? You can install skylights in kitchens and Great Rooms to create brighter spaces or in the bedroom for star gazing to help you fall asleep. Can you undoubtedly stargaze from the porch – but isn’t it better to be in the warmth of your bed, all covered up, safe, and sound? Expansive skylights can be positioned in the bedroom for the best stargazing views. Since skylights allow a lot of natural light to filter into the space, they are energy-efficient, cost-effective, and relaxing additions to the home.

7.  Outdoor Outlets 

Do you ever wonder how much trouble your neighbors have when they adorn their front yards, roofs, and porches with Christmas lights? All those extension cords are enough to give you a headache. The advantage of today’s new builds is the option to install plenty of easy-access outdoor outlets that can be connected to switches inside the home – or added to a smart home automation system that can be controlled from a smartphone. And goodbye to the tangled extension cords.

8.  Energy-Efficient Design 

It is not just a hot trend in new homes; it is also a conscious effort to build an environmentally friendly home and, down the road, save money on utility bills. Think about high-performance windows, appliances that have a high Energy Star rating, LED lighting, a well-sealed building envelope, and ample insulation. More importantly, get your home solar-ready by preparing the roof for solar panels, the required wiring, and the electrical panel circuit breakers for a solar electric system.

(For more on Energy-Efficient Homes and Zero-Energy Homes, check this link)

9.  Smart Home Technology

With the rapid advances in technology, more homeowners are embracing the conveniences of smart homes and the accessibility of smart home devices. Many gadgets today are specifically designed to assist in mundane and wearying tasks. With the introduction of generative artificial intelligence (AI), expect these products to become more advanced and interwoven with your daily life. 

Smart Appliances

Smart appliances, such as refrigerators, stoves, coffee makers, etc., are practical as well as fun. You can “command” these appliances to perform tasks. For example, on your way home from work, the gym, or the grocery store, you can instruct your oven to preheat to prepare the dish on the menu.

Smart Thermostats

These can be controlled remotely and allow you to adjust the temperature in the home to your specifications. Auto shut-off and energy-efficient operations add up to savings.

Digital Assistants

 Alexa, Google, and Siri make a smart home run efficiently. They can turn on the music, turn off the radio/TV, give you directions, set a timer, and perform many other home functions. Keep up with your friends— and Siri makes a smart home run efficiently. They can turn on the music, turn off the radio/TV, give you directions, set a timer, and perform many other home functions. Keep up with your friends – and take a step forward with this smart home feature.

Smart Security 

Wireless technology has also changed home security—via smart alarm systems. How often have you forgotten to turn off the stove or the TV or lock the door before running out for the grocery store or work? With a smart security system, you can customize, monitor, and manage security systems from your smartphone.

Smart Lighting 

An advanced method of lighting the home conserves energy and saves on utility bills. One of the best options is smart LED bulbs that contain software and can connect to an app, a digital assistant, or another smart accessory. The LED bulbs allow you to automate your lights or control them remotely and eliminate the need for conventional wall switches.

(For more on Smart Homes, click on this link)

10.  Accent/Statement Walls 

Perhaps one of the coolest features in a new home is an accent/statement wall. Designers have installed them behind headboards, on entryways, kitchen walls, and bathrooms. There are a wide variety of choices, from unique wallpaper designs to hand-painted walls and geometric tiles. Go with what you fancy and what makes you happy.

Ready for that custom build? Stick to a budget but let your imagination run wild in designing an exciting and comfortable forever home.

Footnote: The lead images in this article are four of our newest plans. They are: A beautiful 2,768 square foot Modern Farmhouse plan with three bedrooms, three baths, and a 3-car garage (Plan #212-1008), A fabulous 1,954 square foot French-style plan with Craftsman influences with three bedrooms, two baths, and a 2-car garage (Plan #193-1242), A lovely 2,096 square foot Transitional plan with three bedrooms, two baths, and a 2-car garage (Plan #204-1031), and a fabulous 2,066 square foot Country Ranch plan with three bedrooms, three baths, and a 2-car garage (Plan #141-1322).

Sources:

• Kettle Valley
• Synergy Homes
• Hibbs Homes
• Energy Efficient House Designs