Forever homes are meant to grow with a family and provide them with the features and accessibility necessary over a lifetime. Building a custom home is the perfect option. It empowers you to create a setting that is specific to your needs and lifestyle, now and in the future. When you are ready for the process, it’s important to know what to expect.
Find a Long-Term Location
The location where the house is built is a main consideration. It determines how satisfied you are living in the area. Schools are top priority for many families with small children. Homes in the top school districts also often retain value and appeal.
Other location-related features to consider include proximity to grocery stores, doctor’s offices and recreational activities. Many families also map out the commute time to work when choosing the ideal property to build on.
Accessibility
Room to room accessibility is critical for seniors who are aging in place. Even if you are younger, consider how easily the second floor is to access. This is especially important if main living areas such as the master bedroom are located on the second floor. Ways to overcome this include building your master bedroom on the first floor or planning the footprint to allow for modifications like elevators and stair lifts in the future.
The home will also better continue to fit your needs with three-foot doorways, four-foot hallways, and five-foot turn radiuses if you ever need to use a wheelchair in the house. Additional modifications to consider also include pool lifts, shower bars and wheelchair ramps.
Add a Mud Room
In colder climates, a mud room makes it easier to come home each day. It prevents your custom home from becoming dirty in each season, which can better preserve flooring including carpet and hardwoods. Mudrooms also often include built-in storage that prevents the house from becoming messy with clutter that you or your chidren bring home each day. It is a space where you can store umbrellas, boots, coats and your briefcase. Your mudroom provides separation and keeps more unsightly items out of the main rooms in your home.
Electrical Outlet Placement
Give some thought as to where each electrical outlet is placed. This makes it easier to charge your phone or plug in small appliances in the kitchen. Smart outlets with integrated USB cords also prove useful as tech tools and small appliances continue to become more advanced.
Create an Outdoor Entertaining Space
One of the benefits of building your forever home is getting to share it with other people once complete. Outdoor living spaces extend this opportunity and provide your family with additional space for entertaining. Ways to create a beautiful outdoor living area include adding landscaping and hardscaping. With a larger investment, they also extend far beyond this and include building a pool, adding an outdoor kitchen with a grill, installing a gazebo, and integrating an outdoor media system.
Creating a forever home with Alair Homes Calgary is an exciting process. It requires you to think about your current and future needs as you design the interior and exterior of your home. With the right research and professional support, it is possible to determine which features to include and how you want to make the setting always feel like home.