New Home for the Holidays: 5 Custom Home Features Worthy of Your Wishlist
As you navigate the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, it’s a great time to assess your needs and start building a list of must-haves for your new custom abode. Approach your plans thoughtfully by paying attention to the elements that are sure to fill your future home with good cheer. Here are some key features worth adding to your wishlist.
A Kitchen You Love
The holidays typically revolve around the heart of the home. As you spend time with family and friends this year, take time to consider what floor plan and features would make yuletide parties easier to pull off in your new custom kitchen.
Do visions of open kitchens dance in your head? A large eat-in kitchen, complete with the island of your dreams, is a fantastic way to encourage effortless entertaining and help you savor all the merry moments in your new home. To make culinary movements more intuitive, add cleverly designed storage options to your list. Boost pre-party productivity by incorporating a butler’s pantry or prep kitchen and placing an emphasis on counter space. Next, it’s time to turn your mind toward design. From cool and sophisticated cabinetry to a cheeky tile backsplash, it’s never too early to start gathering visual inspirations for your custom home. Check out our gallery of Idea Homes to get started.
The Perfect Porch
A gorgeous front porch is a quintessential element of Lowcountry design and a wonderful way to welcome guests. In addition to serving as a stately canvas for Christmas décor, a spacious porch will elevate the curb appeal of your future abode all year round. For a welcoming front porch that’s full of visual interest, shoot for a merry mix of coastal colors, traditional textures, and industrial finishes. Bronze exterior sconces with Savannah grey brick, wrought iron railings and cerulean shutters...the design possibilities are endless.
Prioritize effortless entertaining and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor settings by adding a spectacular screened porch as well. In these spaces, fireplaces highlighted by a haint blue ceiling are a particularly southern combination. Outdoors, a brick fireplace with a large hearth or an in-ground fire pit are the perfect picks. Consider including a television, plush seating, and a beautifully set table to your screened porch, and adding a full outdoor kitchen to the mix to create a retreat suited for every season.
Fabulous Fixtures
Rely on unique details and fun fixtures to define pass-through spaces and set open concept living areas apart. If you love the Lowcountry aesthetic, look for fixtures that take a cue from the coast with organic materials like pearl, seashell, or nautical rope. Next, add the right hardware to your holiday wishlist. Mixed metals are a beautiful way to highlight your favorite spaces and keep the aesthetic of cabinet-heavy rooms from feeling monotonous.
Gorgeous Guest Space
Cramped quarters are no place to spend the holidays. If your current home makes overnight hosting difficult, consider adding a larger guest suite to your wishlist. Gift (and luggage) -toting guests will feel much more welcome in a home with enough space and storage to gladly accept them!
Whether you opt for a beautiful bunkroom or fully-equipped secondary suite, both you and your visitors will benefit from an area of your custom home dedicated to their needs. Incorporate a seating area into your plans to encourage guests to spend time in their devoted space. Turn up the convenience by tacking on a kitchenette for morning coffee. And, of course, don’t forget plenty of sleek storage options for extra linens and your guests’ belongings.
A Relaxing Retreat
As you compile your list of must-have features, keep comfort at the forefront of your plans. A custom home allows you to cultivate a custom lifestyle perfectly tailored to you. Whether that means a separate seating area in your bedroom or a vast master bathroom that mimics a spa, the best laid plans are ones that prioritize your happiness.
