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6 Additions to Add Even More Value to Your Custom Home

August 4, 2018

When the moment arrives and you’re finally working on your custom home design, your choices feel endless. Certainly, you have specific items you would like: an open concept living room, a master bedroom you never want to leave, and a laundry room you would gladly spend time in. However, there will be areas of your home that you’re not quite sure what to do with. And while this is always true, there are specific items to include that you will adore and appreciate, while increasing the value of your home. Here are six additions that will be worth the bang for the buck: 1. Don’t Forget About Landscaping What do you look at when you drive up to a new home? Of course, you’re interested in the internal design and layout, and you may faun over the color of the door and the window shutters, but you can’t ignore the overall look as you drive up to a home. With this in mind, what do you want in your front yard? It’s probably not just a pretty door and a nice driveway. Think beyond your home and add a bountiful garden or easy upkeep hedges and native trees. Add in a slate walkway with nighttime lighting for aesthetics and safety. Maybe incorporate a fountain and benches, or hammocks where you can lounge—that shouldn’t be segregated to the backyard. The entrance to your home can speak volumes, so give it personality. 2. Choose Timeless Hardware Have you heard? Gold and copper hardware are back in style, especially in the kitchen and the bathroom. That may be fun for a few years, but let’s be real—stainless is timeless! Shiny or matte is up to you, as well as overall style, but stainless will last forever and won’t age, even as your home does. If you want to add value to your home, you can’t go wrong when you go with stainless. 3. Add Built-in Shelving Whether you are an avid reader or just a collector of plates or baseballs, there is nothing more classic than a beautiful built-in shelf to display the things you love. You may be thinking that this is so old school, but a built-in doesn’t have to look like it would in your mother’s home. Today, there are built-ins that have the modern vibe you desire, while also effortlessly and seamlessly creating the space you want. Bookshelves—no matter what they’re used for—shouldn’t be an afterthought when you're working toward your custom home design. They should be added with thought and your style in mind. 4. Go With Granite or Marble There are so many countertops to choose from. And, you’ll need to select countertops for your bathrooms and kitchen, alike. This is a lot of space and the cost adds up quickly. For this reason, many people jump for lower-cost alternatives to granite and marble. To each his or her own, but if you go with granite or marble from the get-go, you’ll have chosen a countertop that is long lasting and coveted by future homebuyers when that time arrives. Too often, homeowners are upgrading their bathrooms and kitchens to ensure their home flies off the market at a desired value and with hast. If you choose granite or marble now, you will be happy with your choice today and for many years to come. 5. Invest in Farmhouse Sinks Trends come and go, but staples stay forever—and there is a reason. Farmhouse sinks jumped in popularity about ten years ago, but have stuck around because they are equally visually appealing and functional. Trends go because they either literally wear with time or just become too blasé after a while. The farmhouse sink is here to stay because it fits a need and a want. If a farmhouse sink is on your wishlist, keep it there. This is a trend that has become a timeless classic and you’ll be thankful you jumped for it longer than you’d expect. 6. Focus on Your Entryway Yes, the literal entryway through your front door is important, but the one we want to focus on here is the space just beyond the door where you will be coming and going from. For some, it will be the main entrance. For others, this might be a side door, back door, or garage. Wherever your day-to-day entryway is, don’t neglect this space. Think about what you do as you come and go from your house each day. Consider who else is coming and going as well. Then make space for each person’s needs. If it’s just you and a partner or spouse, you may only require a small nook for your seasonal jackets, a place to leave your wet shoes after trekking through this Pacific Northwest climate, and some hooks to hang your umbrella and backpack or purse. If your home is larger, you may have three kids who attend school and sporting practices, as well as pets that have their own special items as they exit and enter the home. Make space for each person’s belongs and you’ll find the value of your home leap as it’s now personalized to accommodate the needs of everyone in your abode. While there is no magic or specific outline for custom home design, there are ways you can increase the value of your home by keeping items in mind now and not as an afterthought. With that said, this is your custom home that you worked toward so if there is something you want—or just as importantly something you don’t—speak up as you continue to work with your builder to construct a space that is perfect for you and your family. Ready to get started on designing the ideal home for you? We’re ready to help!