If you could wave a magic wand, what would your dream home look like? After a year of spending far too much time in our living quarters, many of us have had a chance to daydream about those luxury amenities that we’d just love to have. Whether your dream home is still in the distant future or could soon become a reality, we say: Dream on! After all, your home is your castle, so why not make it feel like one?
Larger rooms and lots of space to sprawl out come to mind immediately, but here are seven other features to consider adding to your wish list for the ultimate dream home.
Floor-to-ceiling glass to take in the view
It wouldn’t be a dream home without a picturesque view. Whether it’s the city skyline, wooded trees, mountain peaks, or ocean waves, make sure your four walls aren’t blocking that gorgeous scene. Install oversized windows so you can admire your surroundings from the comfort of your sofa. Better yet, add a sliding glass wall that opens for a seamless transition between your indoor and outdoor living spaces.
In-ground pool and pool house
Most of us haven’t had a proper vacation in the past year. But if you have a swimming pool, it’s vacay every day! Installing an in-ground pool not only solves your summer entertainment needs, but it also boosts your curb appeal and can increase the home’s value up to about 7% (though it’s never guaranteed).* Keep in mind that while above-ground pools are cheaper, they don’t last as long and typically won’t add value to your home.
Bonus: Building a pool house can provide a place to change and hang out while doubling as a guest house when you need it.
Home theater
Is there never enough seating at your family movie night? Or maybe you’re a film buff who prefers to watch flicks the way they were intended: on the big screen. A dedicated room with surround sound, recliners, and a massive screen will immerse you in an experience that’s just like the real thing (sans that delicious movie theater popcorn). Add a few arcade games and a pool table, and you’ve got yourself an entertainment zone that will be the envy of everyone on your block.
Spa bathroom
We all could use an excuse to pamper ourselves more, but a bare-bones bathroom doesn’t exactly entice you to slow down, stay awhile, and melt away that stress. Turn your basic washroom into a relaxing spa environment with features like a large soaking tub, a walk-in steam shower with floor-to-ceiling jets, and heated floors and towel warmers. Bonus: Built-in Bluetooth speakers let you submerge yourself in your favorite tunes and create the perfect ambience.
Library or home office
Imagine being surrounded by four walls covered in your favorite literary works, arranged on beautiful built-in shelves, adorned with carefully carved crown molding. Aside from getting to play real-life Clue whenever you please, a home library is the stuff dreams are made of — for book lovers, at least. In a more practical sense, your home library can also function as dedicated office space for working from home or remote learning.
Gourmet kitchen
A stunning kitchen is a given in any dream home, but for the serious home chef, it’s about more than looks. To do your best cooking, you’ll need plenty of moving room, lots of storage, and a purposefully arranged layout to keep all the essentials within arm’s reach. High-end appliances like a pro-style range with extra burners, a range hood, a double oven, warming drawers, and a spacious fridge make cooking your favorite meals a breeze, while a large island provides extra prep space and a place for hungry crowds to gather.
Custom closet with dressing room
Bedroom closets rarely get the attention they deserve, often because they’re not designed to store and showcase an entire wardrobe — or two if you’re sharing with a partner. So, you’re left with an unorganized, dysfunctional storage space that makes getting dressed feel like a chore. A custom-designed closet space can fix all of that, providing the right mix of drawers, hanging racks, and shelving to store your clothes, shoes, and accessories. Even better, you can outfit them with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and seating to make your daily dressing routine feel like shopping at your favorite retail store.
Honorable mentions:
If you want a dream home that’s on the cutting edge of technology, smart home features are a must. Think: a high-end security system with CCTV and smart locks, smart lighting with voice control, and smart heating and cooling systems that adapt to your lifestyle. Learn more about home automation that will transform the way you live.