Designing a home that you will love to live in is a great experience, but often you’ll realise later that you missed a few things. If you hire an architect to help you create the design, they’ll often note ideas that you may not have considered.
We’ve put together a list of architectural features you may wish to include in your home design, so you won’t have to miss out again.
1. Built-In Storage
A hot trend right now is adding built-in storage to your home. This may come in the form of benches and window seats that lift to expose storage areas or shelving units built right into the wall. Either way, this is a useful way to include more space in your home with less furniture.
2. Louvres
These unique panels are designed to create shade and privacy for your home. They may be fixed or motorised, so you can shift the slats as needed to increase privacy or light, depending on the situation. They also provide protection from storms and extreme weather.
3. Outdoor Fireplace
Make your outdoor living area much more liveable when you include a fireplace. If you design it correctly, you can also have a cooking area or pizza oven that takes advantage of the heat from the fireplace. The fire will help keep your seating space more comfortable in cooler weather, extending the time you can spend outdoors.
4. Indoor Courtyard
Many tropical homes include an indoor courtyard, but in colder countries, it may not be quite as practical. That doesn’t mean you should discount this option, however. Many homes offer an indoor nature space that is fully roofed with a glass sunroof to let natural light into the centre of the home.
5. Crown Moulding
As simple as it may seem, crown moulding adds a lot to a space. It can actually increase the value of your home, whether you choose intricate designs or something simpler. The end result is elegance.
6. Kitchen Islands
Your kitchen is where you spend quite a bit of time and it is often considered the heart of the home. Adding an island to the space immediately expands your counter space and gives family members a place to sit and eat or do homework while you prepare the meals. It’s a simple addition with many benefits.
7. Walk-in Showers
As more people build homes with an eye to the future, it is becoming common to design walk-in showers. Not only do they look amazing now, but when you’re older and have difficulty moving about as well as you did before, the shower will be completely accessible.
These are just a few of the wonderful features you can include in your home design. Talk to your architect about what you would like to see in your home design and let them incorporate it for you.
