Building a new home can be overwhelming. There’s so much to do and so much to plan! That’s why we at The BC Team wanted to make it a little bit easier for you. Knowing what you want and what you need in your new home is essential, so we put together a custom home checklist to help you out.
Let’s get right into it.
Entryway/Foyer
Your entryway should have ample room for people to gather in without feeling too crowded. So we recommend avoiding putting in a long hallway, and instead opening the front of your home up. Bring in a lot of natural light with big windows. Finally, eliminate any railings to help guests fell welcome and to avoid any traffic jams in the entryway.
Here are a couple entryway/foyer things to consider including:
A Storage Closet
These are a must-have so you have a place to store coats, hiking boots, and anything you want nearby, but out of sight. You can install shelving for shoes, boxes, and out-of-season outdoor apparel as well.
Built-in Benches and Shelves
If you don’t have room for a closet, consider a built-in bench, hooks on the walls, and shelves under the bench for shoes.
Master Suite
No custom home checklist is complete without a guide for a fully fledged master suite.
Walk-in Closet
A master suite needs a walk-in closet. We’re talking built-in shelving for shoes, hats, two rows (or more) to hang your clothes, plenty of floor space, and room for your dresser and hamper.
Your closet can be more than a haven for your clothes. Think outside of the box by adding any of the following:
Built-in laundry
Hidden storage for valuables
Floor-length mirrors
Sitting area
Jewelry display
Walk-In Shower
Trust us on this one. A large walk-in shower with a built-in bench and a rain showrhead. Your neck, back, and shoulders will thank us.
Standalone Tub
If you enjoy long soaks, then you can’t skip out on a standalone tub. Soak in luxury without worry of maneuvering being restricted to a shower space.
There are many tubs to fit your style, size preferences, and taste, such as jacuzzis, clawfoot tubs, corner tubs, double or single ended, and so much more! The perfect tub for you is out there — you just have to find it!
Space To Relax
When you think of a master suite, think of your private space. You don’t want to be crammed and you want to be able to stretch out on your bed, or in another sitting area. It’s your space. Leave yourself room to enjoy it.
Kitchen
Your kitchen is one of the most used spaces in your home. We will build it so it fits your needs.
Dedicated Pantry Space
This one speaks for itself — free up your cupboards with a dedicated space for your dry goods. It keeps your kitchen organized and leaves more room in other areas for pots, pans, and food storage.
Pull-out Cabinet Drawers
Pull-out cabinets are the best. Not only can you find pots, pans, baking sheets, and the like with ease, but you don’t have to get on the floor to sort through them.
Large Kitchen Island
The more prep space, the better! It also helps separate the kitchen from other rooms without making it feel too closed off. Add a bar top on the far side (if the floor plan allows it) for extra seating room. Use the interior as storage space for large appliances, seasonal decorations, and so much more!
You can also add a sink and/or a gas range on the island too! Then you can cook or clean and be social/face the rest of your home!
Faucet For Filling Pots
If the sink isn’t near your stovetop, then a convenient pot filler kitchen faucet. It will save you a lot of spills! You can also look to install a hot water faucet for faster boiling.
Misc. Kitchen Spaces
If you’re looking to have a standout kitchen, then these miscellaneous spaces and items are must-haves. Consider a:
Butler’s pantry
Industrial freezer/fridge
Appliance garage
Built-in pebble ice maker
Warming drawers
Miscellaneous Spaces
These are spaces you shouldn’t overlook. They’re not main rooms, but they are just as important for your own convenience and entertainment.
Separate Laundry Room with Convenient Access
A laundry room that is down the stairs and furthest away from your bedrooms is not a laundry room you want to use or think about. Instead, tuck it away in a closet near your bedrooms (or dedicated a room on the same floor) to it. It’s faster, safer, and a lot more convenient. Most importantly — it’s on your way, so it’s harder to forget laundry!
Additionally, you could have a built-in laundry chute that leads directly from the bedrooms into the laundry room!
Dedicated Office
A dedicated office will be a godsend if you need a quiet place to work during the week. You may not work from home, but you will need a space to get work done from time-to-time, whether it’s just research or arts and crafts.
Garage
Outside of making sure you have enough space for your vehicles and toys, in Arizona, it’s essential to protect your vehicles from the sun! Prolonged exposure to UV rays can oxidize the exterior coating of your car or even cause the color to change or fade. It can also cause the exterior coating to become brittle and change its shape.
The heat can also drain your battery and over-inflate your tires.
Garage Storage
You can also build a longer garage than normal to leave room for storage. Built-in shelves or standing shelves, as well as wall mounts for bicycles, kayaks, or fishing poles are great solutions to keep your house clean and your garage cleaner.
Outdoor Living Space
Your yard is your private oasis and your party scene. It can be a nice covered deck with a table, seating, and lighting, or it could be built for year-round entertainment with a pool, a diving board, and firepit.
If you have kids, then consider adding a covered playground as well! The canopy will help keep the slides, swings, and your kids cool so they can enjoy it year-round.
For sports fans, there’s always room for basketball courts, tennis courts, or a pickleball court. For the perfect yard, add a convenient water station or fridge nearby to help you stay cool, some seating, and maybe even an outdoor shower to rinse off before coming back inside.
If you love to cook and entertain, consider adding an outdoor kitchen, a built-in grill, a mini fridge, some counter space, and a table will allow the chef to spend time with the party, rather than being confined inside.
Don’t forget about room for greenery! Sure, it’s Arizona, but that isn’t an excuse to forget adding flowering bushes, cactus, and trees to give your garden the pizzaz it deserves.
We hope this list helped you! And if you’re ready to start building the house of your dreams, give us a call at 480-900-1991! We understand the stress and overwhelming feeling that can come with building your dream home. Our goal is to relieve you of that stress and turn the process into an exciting experience. We will work closely with you to make sure your budget and expectations are met, so that you can focus on what matters most: getting the home of your dreams. Call us or visit us online today!