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Homebuilding is constantly evolving. Each year, new trends in design, fixtures, and materials emerge, making it harder to determine what you truly need and want in a new home. So, what are the essentials when building a new home?

Start by examining your current home. What’s missing? You might need an extra room, a more efficient layout, additional storage, upgraded fixtures, or a combination of these features. Think about what would make your home perfect. Then, gather ideas from websites, magazines, open houses, and model homes. Keep a list of your favorite features to discuss with your builder.

Here are some must-have features to consider including when building a new home.

KITCHEN IDEAS

• More drawers than cabinets. Drawers in the bottom (base) cabinets are a smart choice. Drawers are so much easier to use than cabinets. This design also helps you stay organized, especially with a sliding layer on top. It’s perfect for organizing silverware, utensils, and linens.
• Pull-out shelves and trash can. In addition to the drawers in your kitchen cabinetry, pull-out shelves make it simple to access things like spices, canned goods, and vertical items like pot lids and trays. Also, a pull-out trash can keeps the mess out of sight but easy to reach.
• Dual wall ovens. Tired of bending over to check what’s in the oven? Or juggling how to use your oven to accommodate different items that require different temps? Solve both problems with dual wall ovens. They’re closer to eye level, which eliminates the bending. And with two ovens, you can cook or bake at two different temperatures!
• Built-in microwave. Get that appliance off your counter! Have it mounted into a space within the cabinet area or above the oven. You might even put your microwave under the counter on your kitchen island—anywhere but cluttering your counter space.

IN THE PRIMARY SUITE

• First-floor suite. Whether it’s a primary suite, a guest suite, or a space for other adults living in the home, the convenience of having a suite close to the main spaces of the home can’t be overstated. It also adds to a home’s resale value and allows for easier aging in place.
• Oversized walk-in shower. If your bathroom layout has the space, go for the oversized shower! You’ll never regret having more square footage in a space you use every day. Add a bench, grab bars, and niches (built-in shelves) to better organize whatever you need. Planning ahead will make your shower more functional.

CAREFUL FLOOR PLANNING 

• Flex spaces. Look for a floor plan that offers flex space where you need it. Some plans have a room by the front entry that can be a formal dining room, office, bedroom, or study. Maybe you don’t want a flex space right by the front door. A home office, for example, should provide privacy and quiet to promote productivity. And if you’re using a flex space as a workout area, do you want passersby to see you in the front window? 
• Laundry room placement. Bedding, clothing, and towels are constants. Remove the arduous trek from the source of the laundry to the source of the cleaning and back. Situate the laundry room near the bedrooms. But if the primary suite is on another level, consider who is most likely to handle the chore.
• Outdoor living space. Whether a balcony, patio, deck or screened porch, having a “room” that allows you to live, dine, play, relax or entertain outdoors has definitely become a must-have. If you’re using it as a true “living” room, make sure there’s enough space for a roomy dining table and/or comfortable seating. 

EVERY DAY NEEDS 

• Wood floors. Whether you choose hardwood or luxury vinyl plank, wood flooring adds practicality and beauty to your home. It’s easy to keep clean and when the natural sun hits it, the wood grain is stunning! Carpets are fine in the bedrooms, but when it comes to the main living areas—including the kitchen—you can’t go wrong with wood floors.
• Family entry/Mudroom/Sand room/Drop zone. Whether you call it a mudroom or the family entry, it’s the space you use every day to get from the garage into your home. Durable cabinetry, cubbies, hooks, and benches give you space to corral the things that come and go with you, like coats, shoes, backpacks, and leashes. 
• Storage, storage, and storage. Storage is something that can easily get overlooked… until you don’t have enough room for all the holiday decoration boxes, luggage, or whatever else! Either way, you want a home that utilizes every bit of space in all those nooks and crannies that many builders don’t take advantage of.

By incorporating these must-have features into your new home, you ensure that your living space is not only stylish but also highly functional and personalized to your needs. At Ernest Homes, we understand the importance of getting these details right from the start. From innovative kitchen designs to thoughtful primary suite layouts and versatile flex spaces, our homes are designed to enhance your daily living experience.

Ready to build your dream home? Explore our diverse communities and home plans in Georgia and see firsthand how we bring these must-have features to life. Contact Ernest Homes today and let us help you create the perfect home that meets all your needs and more.