Building your new home is more than just a project. It’s a personal journey, filled with excitement and countless decisions.
At PDCD Homes, we know that building a home is a big deal. It involves several stages, from the initial planning to the final touches after construction. Each stage is important, and so are the choices you make about what’s included in your home.
Inclusions aren’t just about adding more things. They’re about enhancing how your home works for you, how it looks, and how it feels to live in.
In this blog post by PDCD Home, we’ll explore some must-have features that can inspire your new home build. So, keep reading to create a space that’s a true reflection of you and your family.
The Basics of New Home Standard Inclusions
Most home builders provide standard inclusions for a new home build. These typically involve some important elements like pre-construction costs, basic finishings, and necessary fixtures. While these are important, they’re just the foundation of your home.
The real difference comes when you start thinking beyond the basics. It’s when you focus on the features that make your home uniquely yours.
There are some standard inclusions offered by most home builders. They usually consist of:
- Pre-construction expenses – including building plans, council approval fees, and construction insurance.
- Floor tiling.
- Basic roofing installation.
- Materials for windows and doors.
- Basic internal finishes – for walls, ceilings, and skirtings, including paint.
- Electrical work – for switchboards, power points, lighting, and smoke detectors.
- Bathroom and toilet fixtures – sink, taps, and showers.
- Plumbing connections – drain and water pipes, hot water system, and drainage gutters.
- Kitchen essentials – appliances and cabinetry.
The quality and variety of these inclusions can differ between builders. So, it’s always wise to carefully review what’s included rather than assume certain items or services are provided.
15+ Must-Have Features for Your New Home Building
When you’re building a home, it’s important to consider all stages of the process:
- Planning Phase
- Pre-construction Phase
- Construction Phase
- Post-construction Phase
Equally important are the home inclusions you choose. They largely affect how functional and visually appealing your home will be.
To simplify the decision-making process, we’ve broken down the essential inclusions into two main categories:
- Room by Room Inclusions / Overall Home Appearance
- Inclusions based on Functionality, Convenience & Longevity
This approach ensures that every corner of your home is thoughtfully designed and equipped with features that suit your lifestyle and future needs. To help choose the inclusions that will give you a truly unique and personalised home to suit your ideal lifestyle.
Let’s explore your new home inclusions to help you create the home of your choice:
Room by Room Inclusions | Features for Your New Home
In this section, we’ll take you on a room-by-room tour of your future home. So, let’s go through the key features for your new home that will turn your space from simple to truly exceptional.
◉ Entrance | The First Impression
The entrance of your home is the first thing visitors see. So, it’s important that it leaves a lasting impression.
Start with a front door. It should match your style and the scale of your home. Don’t forget to choose handles and locks that complement the door’s design.
But the entrance isn’t just about the door. Think ahead and consider adding a mudroom. It’s a practical space especially useful for children or pets. A mudroom can be as simple or as decorative as you like.
Key features for a mudroom include:
- storage for coats
- a spot to place bags and keys
- a bench (to sit and remove shoes or set down groceries)
◉ Bedrooms
Bedrooms are your personal space – a place where you can relax and recharge. The features you include here should reflect your needs and preferences.
For instance:
- walk-in closet behind the bed
- his-and-her closets (separately)
- small dressing area within the closet
Additionally, consider the window placement as well. Poorly placed windows can lead to unwanted light waking you up at the crack of dawn. So, make sure your window positioning suits your sleeping habits.
◉ Living Spaces
The living area is the heart of the home, where family and friends gather. Whether it’s a lounge room, a dining room, or a combination of both, these spaces need to be practical and comfortable.
One key inclusion is sufficient power points, television sockets, and cables.
Another modern touch to consider is incorporating smart home devices, like voice-controlled systems. It will make your daily tasks easier and more efficient.
◉ Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most important areas in any home, filled with many potential inclusions. Consider the following element for both the functionality and style of your kitchen.
- Consider adding features like cabinet lighting for better visibility and ambiance.
- For those aiming for a specific aesthetic, such as the Hamptons style. Details like blue cabinetry with gold handles can emphasise the theme.
- Double sinks are becoming more popular. As are pot filler taps installed above the stove for more convenience.
- A trending feature in modern kitchens is the double kitchen island. This is especially useful if multiple people cook at the same time. It offers each person their own space to prep and clean up.
◉ Bathrooms
When designing a bathroom, choose features that are easy to maintain and built to last.
First of all, consider selecting durable materials. It’s because bathrooms are constantly exposed to moisture.
It’s also wise to plan for the future. For example;
- bathtub for young children
- accessible shower for an ease
- heated flooring for comfort in cold months and easing tired muscles.
◉ Laundry
The laundry room often benefits greatly from custom inclusions.
Homeowners will need to decide on the size of the space. Whether to include a sink, and what type of tapware to install.
A dedicated cabinetry is a must in a laundry room. One wall can house the washing machine, dryer, and sink. While the opposite wall can feature floor-to-ceiling cabinets for storing towels and linens.
Some people even choose to install a central vacuum system in the laundry room for added convenience.
As for location, one option is to locate the laundry room upstairs near the bedrooms and bathrooms, minimizing the need to carry laundry up and down the stairs. Others may prefer placing the laundry room in the garage for easier access.
◉ Outdoor Entertainment Area
Outdoor spaces for entertainment are increasingly popular. These areas extend your living space from the inside to the outdoors. Additionally, they create a versatile space for dining, cooking, or simply relaxing.
Whether it’s a fully equipped outdoor kitchen or a comfortable lounge area, the goal is to make the transition between indoors and outdoors as smooth as possible.
Well, each room in your home plays a unique role. The features you choose will not only impact how you live in the space but also how much you enjoy it. So, these thoughtful inclusions according to your lifestyle and future needs are what turn a house into a home.
Essential Inclusions for a Convenient, Functional & Durable New Home Top of Form
When building your new home, it’s important to consider features that will enhance both comfort and functionality. While also ensuring your investment pays off in the long run should be the main concern.
So, let’s discuss the key inclusions that will stand the test of time, adapting to your current lifestyle and future needs.
◉ Energy Saving Solutions
Focusing on energy efficiency when designing your home is not just about saving money. It’s also about increasing the long-term value of your property.
One of the first things to consider is the orientation of your home. It can have a big impact on energy use.
For example, positioning your living spaces to face north will allow more natural sunlight in winter. Additionally, it will help you to keep your home warm. This is the most effective strategy in Australia and is something to discuss with your home builder during the planning phase.
Other energy-efficient features to consider include:
- solar panels
- rainwater collection system
While these can require a larger upfront investment. But they can significantly reduce your reliance on external power and water sources over time, leading to long-term savings.
◉ Structural Inclusions for a Beautiful Home
A well-designed home needs a focus on every aspect of the building process. From the floor plan to sustainable design principles, everything is to take into account.
Thus, adding some structural inclusions will enhance both comfort and lifestyle. As well as they will provide a strong return on investment when it’s time to sell.
For example:
- All-season alfresco area – It can extend your living space outdoors, creating a perfect spot for socializing or relaxing, especially if you have children or plan to expand your family.
- Garage or Carport – Provides parking space. Increases the flexibility of your home’s layout and boosts its value.
◉ Natural Lighting
Natural light can transform a home, making it feel more open, warm, and inviting.
If you’ve always dreamed of waking up to sunlight streaming into your bedroom or enjoying a sunset from your living room, this should be a key consideration in your home design.
If your chosen design or location doesn’t naturally provide enough light, there are ways to enhance it.
For instance:
- Installing skylights can bring more daylight into a single-story home.
- Choosing light-reflecting colours like soft grey, powder blue, or off-white for your walls can also help to maximize the light in your space.
- Large windows or sliding glass doors can make a huge difference by allowing more natural light to fill your home.
Moreover, don’t forget to add artificial lighting that complements your home’s style and enhances its warmth. Consider chandeliers, bright lamps, or spotlights in living areas, and use dimmers or softer lights in corners and corridors for a cozy feel.
◉ Maximum Storage Options
You can never have too much storage in a home. And not having enough is a common regret among new homeowners.
Most people plan for wardrobes in bedrooms and pantries in kitchens. They often overlook storage for items like linens, holiday decorations, and recreational gear. Without adequate storage, your home can quickly feel cluttered, which is far from ideal.
Here are a few ways to ensure your new home has enough storage:
- Custom Shelving: Consider adding built-in shelves or extra cabinetry in rooms like the kitchen or living room to keep clutter at bay.
- Basement or Attic Space: Including a basement or attic in your design provides extra space for storing items you don’t use daily. These areas can also double as guest rooms or entertainment spaces.
- Garage Storage: Your garage can be more than just a place for your car. Adding cabinets and shelving units allows you to store tools, equipment, and other items neatly.
◉ Advanced Smart Home Systems
Why not make your new home a smart home?
Incorporating technology can greatly enhance convenience and security. Like:
- self-programmable thermostats
- home security systems
- voice-controlled appliances
Smart lighting options can also help conserve energy, saving you money on electricity bills.
◉ Modern Appliances
Modern, high-quality appliances are a must for any dream home.
From advanced dishwashers and ovens to sleek stovetops and range hoods, these features make your kitchen more functional and enjoyable. Energy-efficient appliances are also worth considering, as they can lower your utility bills over time.
Additionally, customizing your fittings and fixtures—like tapware, door handles, and bathroom furniture—can reinforce your home’s style.
For example, if you’re going for a Hamptons look, you might choose provincial-style handles in gold or black to complement your cabinetry.
◉ Additional Power Outlets
Why fighting over one power plug?
Today’s homes need plenty of power outlets, USB ports, and wireless charging stations to accommodate our tech-driven lifestyles. These can be integrated into furniture or placed in central areas like the kitchen for added convenience.
Installing wireless charging stations alongside USB ports eliminates the need for messy cables.
When deciding where to place outlets, consider the areas where you’ll spend the most time, such as the kitchen, living room, or home office. Multiple outlets throughout the home also make tasks like vacuuming much easier.Bottom of Form
◉ Considerations of Service Planning
If you’re building a double-storey home, it’s wise to consider installing two-way light switches for hallways and staircases for added convenience.
For homes that accommodate multiple generations, especially older family members, you might want to make additional adjustments, like:
- Ramps at entry points to eliminate steps.
- Chair lift or a small elevator for multi-storey homes for easy access between floors. Keep in mind, this will require some space on each level.
- Self-contained living area on the ground floor.
Internet and network connectivity is another critical aspect to plan for. It ensures strong Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home, including outdoor areas like patios and garages.
Additionally, ensuring that your air conditioning system can be controlled remotely as part of your smart home setup. And lastly, deciding if you need special spaces like a prayer room, shrine, or areas that align with religious practices.
These suggestions aren’t comprehensive, but they’re a good starting point for planning the services in your new home. You know best what you want from your home, and working closely with your builder will help ensure everything is just right.
Let’s Build Your Dream Home with PDCD Homes
We are committed to making your new dream home a reality.
With our comprehensive range of services, including custom home building, renovations, extensions, and knockdown-rebuild projects, we have the expertise to deliver a home that meets your unique needs and exceeds your expectations.
