The Renner Companies

The number one thing to not overlook is Energy Efficiency. If you don’t remember anything else, remember to make sure your new home is Energy Efficient. If you are considering remodeling your current home, make sure that is at the top of your list also. This will save you a considerable amount of money over time and may pay for some of the other little connivence options you may be considering.

1. If you are building a two-story, then a laundry shoot is wonderful and saves time.
2. Behind the cook top install another cooktop water faucet in the backsplash. (This is the rage right now)
3. Pull out spice racks on each side of the cook top are wonderful. Organization= Convenience
4. A walk-in kitchen pantry is great especially if you have a large family, or love to cook. This will keep your counter tops less cluttered if you have room for all your extra gadgets, large pots and pans and serving/extra dishes
5. Attic fans can be another great addition to any home.
6. Many homes come with two outdoor faucets, consider installing a third or fourth faucet so you don’t have to drag that hose all over the place especially if you have a larger yard.
7. Extra exterior outlets near the roof line are great for Christmas lights.
8. Exterior outlets near decks are great for extra lighting and outdoor activities.
9. If you have sidelights/windows on both sides of your front door, install an outlet on both sides. Again for lights or decorations.
10. Consider an in house vacuum, in house intercom (for large homes..don’t forget the front door), and alarm system.
11. Having a centralized remote control system that controls the electronics in the house is a great idea if you are building a large home with lots of televisions, computers, entertainment room, video cameras etc.
12. Consider having the cabinet over your refrigerator designed deep with removable partitions for baking pans and cookie sheets.
13. Extra deep drawers for pots and pans instead of it being only lower cabinets. They will save much back breaking from digging for stuff. This area can also be redesigned for other items if you are using your pantry for large pots and pans.
14. How about a rack over the island in your kitchen to hang frequently used pots and pans rather than digging underneath or taking up space in the walk-in pantry?
15. For a large home, consider a second door chime located in an area where you make otherwise not hear the door chime.
16. Have the false panels at sinks in the kitchen and bathroom be little flip outs. False panels are useless.
17. If you have room for a garbage compactor, you won’t regret it. Same goes for an undercounter ice maker.
18. While you’re there, why not add an under-counter water purifier? Safer for drinking and better for cooking!
19. Consider wood flooring or tile for hallways and track areas. This always breaks up the carpet and allows you to switch the colors of carpet from room to room if you would like.
20. In floor plugs can be a plus. Running cords across the floor to plug in table lamps isn’t safe. However, placement of these plugs should be well planned.
21. A plug in the fireplace mantel is also a nice idea.
22. A plug at a stair landing is also a great addition. Great for plugging in decorative lighting for the stair rail.
23. Install an in-floor safe somewhere in the home during the slab construction.
24. I-beams in the second floor so it doesn’t squeak so much, once it’s settled.
25. While you’re at it, install the interior studs at 16″ on center; 24″ is okay by some building codes, but 16″ is SO much sturdier, not to mention easier to use when mounting shelves, etc.

I’m sure that thee are some items not mentioned here. If you can think of some that you’d like to add, feel free to comment below.

Also, be sure to check out our other blog posts on the home building ideas. Aging in place and Universal Design as well as Building an Energy Efficient Home.

For more information or to schedule a consultation for the design of your new home, Contact the Renner Companies directly.