PenFed Mortgage with Confidence

MORTGAGE

Top 10 Luxury Home Features

What You'll Learn: Read About the Most Luxurious Features You Can’t Do Without.

EXPECTED READ TIME: 7 MINUTES

Whether you’re shopping for a new home, renovating your current one, or just dreaming – read on to discover the top 10 luxury home features you can’t do without. And the good news is you can add all or some to almost any home – and you don’t need a mansion. Read on to see which features are must-haves for you and your lifestyle.

#1 Modern Open Floorplan

Picture this – tall ceilings, an open floor plan, and impressive floor-to-ceiling windows. No matter what part of the country you’re in, those features are the number one choice for homeowners. And if you’re in a cooler climate, you’ll, of course, need a fireplace and heated floors. Besides the open floorplan, you’ll also need the most recent smart home automation to control lighting, temperature, and security.

#2 Gourmet Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially if you do a lot of entertaining. And with an open floor plan, the cook and hostess can be included. Gourmet kitchens include granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and top-of-the-line cabinetry. You’ll also need one or two islands, depending on how much space you have. Islands add extra workspace and casual seating. Plus, they can be custom-built to flow with the layout of your kitchen. Recent trends show the island can be a different color than the cabinets to make it the focal point of the room. And don’t forget beautiful large windows for natural lighting along with custom lighting throughout your kitchen

#3 Wine Cellar

If you’re a wine connoisseur, make sure you have a wine cellar. It should be placed in the most humid and coolest part of your home. If you have a basement, that’s the most common location. The size can vary from a small closet to your own private tasting room. Climate control is the most important element, so make sure you hire a contractor with experience building custom wine cellars.

#4 Luxurious Master Suite

Step into your own peaceful oasis – the ideal master suite has a sitting area, fireplace, and large his and her closets with custom storage for clothes, sweaters, shoes, purses, hats, and jewelry. Along with the bedroom area, you’ll need a large master bathroom with double sinks, a stand-alone deep soak tub, a large custom shower with custom tiling, and of course, heated floors and towel racks for the cooler climates.

#5 Upstairs Super Laundry

You know what a laundry room is ­­– but what about a “super laundry”? Just like it sounds, it’s larger than traditional laundry rooms. In addition to the top-of-the-line washer and dryer, there should be storage, countertops to fold laundry, and a space for ironing. And don’t forget plenty of storage. The best laundry rooms are close to the bedrooms – especially in a two-story home.

#6 Large Home Office

Suppose you’re self-employed or work from home splurge on a home office. If possible, have it on an outside wall with French doors and large windows so you can enjoy the outdoors even when you’re working—plan for built-in bookcases and custom furniture to get maximum utilization of the space. Consider what you’ll need day-to-day. Besides a desk and work area, have a seating area for any visitors. And for the final touch, include beautiful lighting and artwork.  

#7 High-Tech Media Room

Your media room will have a personality of its own. Some of the most popular features include a home theater with theater seating, a gaming area, surround sound, and soundproofing. Make sure there’s no light coming into the room, and the paint on the wall should be flat, so there’s no reflection. Include an area for a bar, a small refrigerator, and storage for snacks.

#8 Custom Fitness Room

No luxury home is complete without a gym. Design your gym around your workout regime, whether it’s strength training, general fitness, cardio, or rehab. Designate an area for cardio equipment like a Peloton bike or NordicTrack rowing machine. Surprisingly, the best flooring for in-home gyms is carpet because it’s soft and easy on your joints. And lastly, make sure the room is well insulated with excellent AC and heat.  

#9 Oversized Garage

Whereas the kitchen might be the most important room in the house, some will argue and say it’s the garage. Having a garage large enough for all of your vehicles, storage, and a big workbench is a dream for many homeowners. And for added aesthetics, consider vibrant and long-lasting epoxy flooring. For the garage door, consider beautiful hardwood. The other option is glass garage doors made with privacy glass. That way, when you’re in the garage, you can enjoy the outdoors, but no one can see in. 

#10 Outdoor Living Area

Expansive outdoor living areas are a must no matter what part of the country you live in. Top of the list is the outdoor kitchen, complete with kitchen appliances, countertops, a refrigerator, and an icemaker. And don’t forget the wide-screen TV. Make sure to add a BBQ area too. This type of outdoor living area is especially popular in warm states like California, Texas, Arizona, and Florida.

Final Tips and Suggestions for Success

  • Hire a local contractor with good reviews and plenty of experience.
  • Consider a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to finance your renovations.
  • Use top-quality material that will last for years to come.

For more information about PenFed Mortgages:
 

PenFed Mortgage: 

800-970-7766

Get Started

image

JUMBO LOANS

Rates starting at % (APR %)¹

 

Apply before becoming a member.

After your application, we’ll help you:

1. Discover you’re eligible to become a PenFed member

2. Open a Savings/Share Account and deposit at least $5

PenFed HELOC

Rates as Low as % APR with flexible use of funds

Apply before becoming a member.

After your application, we’ll help you:

1. Discover you’re eligible to become a PenFed member

2. Open a Savings/Share Account and deposit at least $5

Disclosures

1Rates are updated daily at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on discount point, which equals percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, non-conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $1,009,000; loan-to-value ratio of 70%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.