New Home Checklist: Must-Have Features for Modern Living

Aug 15, 2024 | Custom Home

Building a personal home can be a challenge in the best of situations. After all, custom construction is a big job, and a family home carries a lot of weight for the people who will live there. As North Carolina’s most experienced custom home builders, our advice is this: always start with a new home checklist.

Why You Need a New Home Checklist

This all-important list is a critical step in the planning process, helping you to identify your needs, determine your choices, and communicate your vision to your builder. With continual advancements in technology and sustainability, there are now more options for the modern homeowner than ever. 

While this sheer volume of choices can seem daunting at first, it also represents a promising range of opportunities for better, smarter, more personalized home design. In this post, we’ll share our very own new home checklist with all the must-have features you should consider when planning and designing your custom home.

The VPC Builders Checklist

✓ Energy Efficiency

Sustainability has taken the modern market by storm, and it’s beginning to take root in the realm of homeownership as well. Why? Because sustainability represents new levels of self-sufficiency, opportunities for cost savings, and a shared responsibility for the world we share. Shrinking your carbon footprint, in many cases, is a more cost-effective solution in the long run, reducing monthly power bills and even qualifying for unique tax credits on occasion.

Consider outfitting your new home with responsibly sourced insulation, advanced HVAC systems, and renewable energy sources like solar panels. There are ways to upgrade the interiors for superior efficiency as well, including automated lighting and smart thermostats. 

✓ Sustainable Building Materials

Future-proofing a modern home begins with the materials you choose for your construction. Opt for sustainable materials that will stand the test of time without overdrawing on our limited natural resources. The good news is that your options are more numerous than ever.

There are plenty of eco-friendly materials to incorporate into your new custom home, including bamboo flooring, recycled steel, and reclaimed wood. Low-VOC (low volatile organic compound) paints and finishes minimize the release of harmful chemicals, improving air quality for both your home and your environment. Sustainable choices are a net positive for everyone.

✓ Health and Wellness Features

More and more people are beginning to prioritize health and wellness in the home — and this is a good thing. Incorporating features like a home gym, a yoga studio, or even a swimming pool is an excellent way to encourage an active lifestyle for those living in your home, especially for growing children or elderly family members. 

Similarly, there are ways to prioritize mental health in your building process as well. Large windows and skylights allow you to flood your home with natural light, which can have noticeable impacts on mood and energy levels. Biophilic spaces and gardens help to purify the air and bring a bit of nature into the home, creating a sense of peace and belonging where you need it most.

✓ Outdoor Living Spaces

Why should the limit of your home be determined by a wall? Incorporating outdoor living spaces, whether that’s a patio, a deck, or an outdoor garden, can be a great way to open things up, blurring the often claustrophobic line between the indoors and out. 

A well-designed outdoor space can provide the perfect setting for evening relaxation or entertaining guests. For dinner parties, consider outdoor cooking fixtures like built-in grills or firepits. For gardens, consider elegant trellises and pergolas to adorn your space with hanging botanicals. Landscaping with native plants and sustainable practices can beautify your home while also reducing maintenance and supporting the local ecosystem. 

Want More for Your New Home Checklist?

Think our checklist is missing something? We’d love to hear about it. Our list is far from exhaustive. There are so many ways to personalize your home with features for sustainability, future-proofing, and personal wellness. As your trusted custom builders, we’re here to bring your vision to life. 

Get in touch with our experts today to ask your questions and tell us all about your home checklist. Together, we’ll develop a plan to make the home of your dreams a stunning reality.
Start planning your dream home today. Contact VPC Builders today.