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
January 7, 2022
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.