if you were building a house today , what features would you add?

[barkley]

I'd probably want a bigger electrical panel. Maybe prewire for an "electric vehicle supply equipment" (EVSE - or EV charging equipment) and perhaps have a separate heavy duty outlet for a plug in car charger in addition to a "wired-in" system. Also complete wiring throughout the house with CAT6 ethernet cable. I'd probably connect wirelessly, but it could give a bit of flexibility to have different access points in different parts of the house.

whole house surge protector is beneficial as well. if a person lives in a place where electrical panels are permitted to be located inside the garage vs. on an exterior wall I can say that the interior option is much nicer to deal with on a dark stormy night.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I would like a towel warmer in the bathrooms and a bigger garage. I have a 2-car garage but can only really fit one car.

 

[leebee]

I pretty much have everything we need/want (and it's not extravagant at all) but I would like a 2 car attached garage with workbench space and a screened porch. Oh, and a new microwave. Ours was in the house when we purchased it, 20 years ago, and it wasn't new then!

Of course, as I get older, ranch houses are becoming more and more appealing!

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

Wow, @barkley sure had the good idea with water spigots and outlets on all 4 sides of the house. Never thought of that and it would make everything so much more convenient!

I would add alot larger back patio. We also live in a finished basement climate. I would have a dedicated workout room. Where now we have a big open area that has lots of random things on display and a table for games/puzzles, then a theater room and a bar area. We have thought of converting our bar area to a workout room, as we don't enjoy entertaining anymore. We talk about changing it each winter and just don't get up the motivation. Our rower, weights, bike and treadmill are in our unfinished part of the basement so it's pretty dingy looking.

As for patio, that has been a thought over the years. However, neither of us actually enjoy just sitting outside. I think it would just look nice. So it's hard to stomach the cost of it just to look pretty.

 

[imbelle]

If I ever build a house I will have a purpose-built Christmas tree closet. I'll put the ornaments on with twist ties, cover it in plastic, and wheel it in. Next Christmas I'll wheel it out, take off the plastic and presto, instant Christmas tree!

 

[tvguy]

If I ever build a house I will have a purpose-built Christmas tree closet. I'll put the ornaments on with twist ties, cover it in plastic, and wheel it in. Next Christmas I'll wheel it out, take off the plastic and presto, instant Christmas tree!

My mom lived alone for 30 years in a 1800 square foot house. That is exactly what she did with the front closet. Put the Christmas there during the off season.