10 Unique Home Features to Try in 2023
Phius Certified Sustainable Housing
Phius is considered the leading passive building certification program in North America. A Phius certification indicates a home has been built in the most comfortable, energy-efficient manner. Phius built homes use 40% to 60% less energy than standard homes, so if you’re looking to build a sustainable custom home, Phius should be on your radar. At Eakman Construction, we are proud to be a Phius-certified building company and would be happy to further discuss the benefits with you for your new custom home.
Eco-Friendly Building Materials
If going green is a priority to you, rest assured you can opt for custom home building materials that are environmentally friendly. Not only do these materials support the environment, but they may also lead to significant long-term energy savings for you and your family.
Several examples of eco-friendly building materials and remodeling strategies we can incorporate include low or no-VOC paints, sealants, and wood treatments, recycled-content fiberglass or cellulose, and wood, cork, bamboo, or ceramic tile flooring. We may also use recycled building materials or materials that have been made with recycled pieces.
Smart Housing & Features
As technology continues to evolve, smart home features are becoming more popular than ever before. Smart housing systems can be used to control lights, security cameras, appliances, music, window coverings, and more. Some examples of the leading smart home features you might want to explore include smart thermostats, smart lighting, smart kitchen technology, smart security, and smart vacuuming.
With these smart systems, you can use voice command technology, a wireless remote, or simply touch a button to automate and control your home with ease. You may choose smart home features for every room in your house or scatter a few of them throughout, depending on your needs and preferences. In today’s day and age, you can automate virtually anything you’d like in your new custom home for the ultimate level of convenience.
Elevated Mudroom
If you are looking for a way to keep your family’s clutter to a minimum, a mudroom may be the ultimate solution. It is the perfect place for you and your family to store shoes, backpacks, laundry supplies, sports equipment, and more. While you can keep all of these belongings in a closet or by your entryway, it is much more convenient to contain them in a mudroom. Elevated mudrooms include useful storage features, such as lockers, cubbies, and built-in shelving units, that allow for increased organization. Some mudrooms even have washing stations for when your pet’s muddy paws or kid’s shoes need a quick rinse.
Casitas or Secondary Master Suites
A casita, or secondary master suite, is an excellent way to add increased space to your new home without having to move properties or build a full home addition. With a casita or secondary master suite, you can enjoy privacy from your children, family, and pets or host guests for an extended stay. Your family members or guests can stay overnight without interfering with your primary living area and day-to-day life, ensuring that your sacred space remains private. You can design your casita or secondary master suite to be small and simple or as large and extravagant as you wish.
Upgraded Home Office
As many people continue working remotely through 2023, having a designated office space at home is more essential than ever. A dedicated office space is extremely important for one’s productivity levels and mental health purposes, as it separates your work life from your home life. Your home office should be spacious, have functional furniture, ample storage, and proper lighting so that you can remain comfortable even when working long hours.
Whether you work from home every day or on an occasional basis, an office can give you a quiet space, away from noise and distractions, so that you can check off your to-do list in comfort. Home offices are often built on the first floor off the foyer or living room, but it’s really up to your individual preferences where you place yours.
Double Kitchen Islands
Generally speaking, most homeowners utilize kitchen islands for meal prepping, cooking, or eating. However, a recent trend has emerged where homeowners have two kitchen islands, one for functionality and one for fun.
If you like the idea of a luxury kitchen for your new custom home, you should consider a double kitchen island. A double kitchen island is likely the way to go if you would like to designate one of them for prep space, cooking, and storage. This is a particularly good option if you have a large family or love to cook. You can use the other island for hanging out with friends & family, entertaining, or lounging. For example, you might include a bar seating area with an entertainment center on this second island of leisure.
Heated and Expanded Garage
Imagine leaving your house on a cold or rainy Pacific Northwest day while still feeling warm and comfortable. With a heated garage, you can do just that. It can keep you, your family, and your vehicle warm so you can go about your day without dealing with the consequences of poor weather. It also saves you time in the morning, as you won’t have to wait for your car to defrost, and it will automatically warm up. You can also opt for an expanded or oversized garage that has ample room for ATVs, boats, bikes, and workout equipment.
Indoor and Outdoor Living Space with Big Doors
If you are looking for an exciting way to take your home to the next level, you might want to create an indoor-outdoor living space with large sliding or folding door systems. This will allow for a seamless transition from inside to outside and leads to the ultimate space for hosting parties or relaxing. It can give your property a “resort-like” vibe you and your loved ones are sure to appreciate. Appearance aside, an indoor/outdoor living space makes entertaining a breeze and also makes it easy to watch small children or pets in the backyard.
Luxurious Showers
Gone are the days of cramped showers. Since you shower on a regular basis, it only makes sense to give your shower a luxurious, relaxing touch. You can choose from natural stone, ceramic, glass, or porcelain tiles that not only add elegance to your shower but are a breeze to clean and maintain. Other ways to upgrade your shower include a curbless entrance, built-in seating, smart technology, a sauna or steam room, and rainforest or waterfall shower heads.
Are You Ready To Build Your Seattle Custom Home?
Your lifestyle and functionality needs are never going to be the same as anyone else’s – which is the reason why most people choose to build a custom home in the first place. With Eakman Construction, we’ll work with you to determine the ideal features and solutions for your unique custom home. For more information about Seattle custom home building and how you can get started, contact us today!
For more information about Seattle custom home building and how you can get started, contact Eakman Construction today!