Just a few decades ago, it was not uncommon for American families to move a couple of times. Families would move because of job relocations or to have a bigger home. Americans today are skipping over the traditional gateway of buying a traditional starter home and are beginning to build larger houses where they can plant their roots and raise families in.
Moving into a home with the intention of staying in it as you raise kids or work towards retirement means that you will face a lot of changes. Over the years, there will be several lifestyle changes as well as physical changes. Building a home while keeping this in mind isn’t just a good idea for those hoping to stay put, but it's also valuable for those looking to invest long term in a home.
While you are building a home where your life can grow, you might also want to enhance the overall appeal of your home While still considering that if you ever choose to sell it, it should be suitable for most families. With that in mind, here are a few things to consider when building your forever home:
Bedroom on the main floor
If you look at most homes with new construction, you will notice that at least one bedroom is built on the first floor. If you are looking to stay in this home as you age, you might want to consider having the master bedroom on the main floor. A downstairs bedroom can also be a multi use space. If you don’t need the extra bedroom, you can use it as an office or playroom. But when you have family of any age visiting your home, you will find it convenient to have the bedroom on the main floor.
Accessible bathrooms
Did you know that falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits? It just so happens that bathrooms are the most common place for dangerous falls. Think about it: standing up and sitting down in a small bathroom is tough, and stepping in and out of bathtubs and showers are not safe motions for seniors. When you add wet conditions to this room, the bathroom turns into a dangerous place.
When designing your bathrooms, try to build a big enough bathroom so that you can follow the Americans with Disabilities Act. This act requires that bathrooms have a 5-foot turning radius. You might also want to install a zero-threshold shower. This type of shower has no curb, which means that wheelchairs or walkers can easily slide into the shower, if the need arose. You may also want to consider installing handlebars in the shower and next to the toilet so that those who need assistance standing up and sitting down will have it there for them.
Wide doorways
In the US, standing building codes require doors inside of the home to be 6 to 8 inches tall, and 28 to 32 inches wide. Some homes are built with doorways that are a spacious 36-inch wide. In addition to the convenience of wheelchairs passing through, you will appreciate a wider doorway when you order new furniture or appliances.
A floorplan to fit your lifestyle
The greatest advantage of building a home from the ground up is you can choose the layout of the rooms and every single dimension! That’s one limitation of home renovations. When it comes time to create the floorplan of your home, consider your life in the coming years. You might not have family visiting now, but will that change in 10 years? Do you plan on having more children? Do you have additional space for in-laws and other family? Do you enjoy entertaining guests? Do you need additional storage space? These are all things to take into consideration. The size and shape of a room can affect your daily activities.
Appliances and materials
Building a home from the ground up can be costly, so it’s easy, but ill-advised, to consider using cheaper building materials. For example, you might consider the less expensive hardwood flooring, but you really should choose more durable woods to avoid damage and properly invest in the longevity of you home. In your kitchen and bathrooms, you should consider tile because it is durable and easily cleaned. Keeping in mind that whatever becomes damaged in the years to come is your responsibility to replace. Choosing durable materials up front will keep you from having to replace things down the road.
The backyard
The backyard is an extension of your home. Often times, we pay so much attention to the interior of our home and forget about the exterior. If you enjoy the outdoors and entertain guests on the porch or patio, you will want to ensure the space accommodates your needs. Your deck or patio should be level with your home so that it is safe and convenient for entertaining. Do you really want to run up and down the stairs with trays or food in your hands?
The exterior
The outside of your home is just as important as the inside. Most people who build their home have some sort of picture in mind when it comes to the overall look of the exterior. What most people fail to consider is the accessibility. You will want to ensure that the walkways and stairs are safe in all conditions. For instance, you don’t want to slip while walking out to your mailbox in the rain. Talk to your contractor about the best options that are weather resistant.
Legacy Renovations: Bringing your forever home to life
Building your forever home is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. There are a lot of choices to make, and we want to ensure that when you build your forever home, you are happy with the home for years to come.
When you work with Legacy Renovations, we will help you to make the best choices for your home so that it feels just as comfortable now as it will in the future. Leave it to us to have it done right the first time! If you are looking to build your dream home in the Lake Lanier area, Gwinnett County, Hamilton Mill, Flowery Branch, or Brasselton area, give us a call!
