15 Small Things That Get Forgotten When Building a House

Building a custom home is an exciting time, allowing you to create the perfect home to suit your taste and lifestyle. However, with so many big decisions to make, it can be easy to forget small things during the building process. The important features you want inside and outside a home will be different for every person. It may be the placement of power points, additional storage, outdoor spaces or even the width of the kitchen bench top that will make the house more comfortable to live in. To make sure you build your new home right the first time, we have compiled a list of 15 small things that can get forgotten when building a house.

1. Powerpoints

It is important you put thought into where powerpoints are going to be needed when building a home. In a technology driven world where we rely on phones, tablets and computers, we need extra power points. Our food is prepared using microwaves, stoves and ovens, and clothes are washed with electric washing machines which require connection to power. Correct powerpoint placement can make a significant difference to the quality of your lifestyle. The places you may forget to install powerpoints include:

• Hallways – Powerpoints can be handy in hallways when you want to plug a vacuum in, or if you would like to place a lamp for feature lighting.
• Near bathroom vanity – With hairdryers, straighteners, and razors all requiring a powerpoint, consider having more than one power point near the bathroom vanity. Make sure the powerpoint placement is within easy reach to the vanity and mirror so you can look in the mirror while using appliances.
• Beside the couch – Phones, tablets and laptops can be easily charged while using them if you have ample power points beside or behind the couch.
• Beside the bed – Make sure you have ample power points beside the bed. This may mean a double point or even two, depending on the number of devices to plug in. Apart from using powerpoints for bedside lamps, you may want to charge phones, ipads, laptops or alarms.
• Kitchen – Being the room that uses the most electric appliances, it is essential to make sure you have plenty of powerpoints in the kitchen. For items like food processors, toasters, kettles and coffee machines, you may want powerpoints placed in the pantry or appliance drawer where they are being stored, provided there is enough room to safely use each one. Power points will need to be on the kitchen bench also to use appliances that are plugged in every day. Obviously you will need powerpoints for the fridge, microwave and dishwasher. Installing power points on the side of the island bench is helpful if you want to prepare meals and want to use an appliance. They can also be good for charging phones.
• Television – Think about where you want your television to be installed as there will need to be a power point placed at the correct level. Generally, the height of your powerpoint needs to be 1.2 metres so a hanging tv will cover it. Remember to install multiple powerpoints for this entertainment area as you may need to power separate speakers or other accessories. Also consider other places in the home you might want a tv, like the primary bathroom or games room and allow for extra power points in these areas.
• Garage and broom closet – Install multiple power points in the garage. This will allow you to have power for power tools and other garage gadgets, and even power an electric vehicle. The broom closet is also a great location for power points, hidden and out of the way, but a place to charge a vacuum cleaner and other cleaning appliances.
• Outdoor areas – When it comes to enhancing an outdoor area, it is essential to consider multiple outdoor powerpoints. These will come in handy for everything from powering an electric barbecue to outdoor lights and bug zappers. Outdoor powerpoints will enable you to hook up outdoor heaters when it’s cold or fans in hot weather.

 

2. Light switches and fixtures

Light switches are one of the most commonly used fixtures so placement and type need to be considered. Think about where light switches should logically be placed, making sure they can be easily accessed when entering a room. Consider whether you want to create mood lighting with dimmer switches. Consider placing lighting in the kitchen pantry, appliance drawers, or cabinets to help make your kitchen workspace more functional for preparation and cleanup. Strip lighting underneath kitchen cabinets above a bench are not only practical but can be effective and add dimension to your kitchen.

 

3. Kitchen cabinet features

Kitchen cabinets come in all shapes and sizes and the type you choose can make a difference to the functionality of a kitchen. When considering kitchen cabinets, take into account the height, size, location, style, and appliances or whitegoods.

• Height – Think about how high you want the cabinets to reach above a bench to the ceiling. Depending on your lifestyle, age and even height, consider if you want a lot of high cabinets or if they are more convenient from the floor up. If you have cupboards that reach the ceiling, you may need a ladder to reach the top shelf or pull down storage solutions.
• Size – Think about how deep you want the drawers and cabinets to be, particularly if you are storing large items like pots and pans. Make sure you have allowed for big items to be stored in convenient cabinets or drawers that accommodate their size.
• Type – Consider the type of drawer and cabinet you want. You may want soft close drawers and cabinets compared to the standard type. Soft close drawers and cabinets help to reduce wear and tear. You are also less likely to accidentally get fingers caught in soft close drawers.
• Location – Consider if you want kitchen cabinets and draws in standard locations like under benches or if you would like to utilise spaces like corner storage areas. Corner storage is a great way to maximise every bit of available space for cabinets and drawers.
• Appliances/white goods – Consider what size fridge you need to accommodate and make sure the kitchen has a refrigerator recess which is large enough. Having limited space around the fridge can impact its performance.

 

4. Kitchen bench size and height

An important decision when building is deciding the kitchen bench size and height. The kitchen bench is where you prepare meals, chat with friends, help kids with homework and sometimes even eat. The average kitchen bench height is 900mm although heights can range from 800mm to 1000mm. You may consider making a bench height smaller in one section, particularly if designing a disabled friendly home to accommodate a wheelchair. For a wheelchair to fit comfortably, the bench height would usually need to measure between 710mm and 800mm.

For bench size (length and width), consider how large the kitchen is and how you intend to use it. If you have a large space and spend most of the time in the kitchen, the kitchen bench length could be any size that accommodates. Remember with the width of the benchtop, it will need to be small enough for reach to clean comfortably, particularly if it is against a wall with limited access. Most benchtops have a width of 650mm to 800mm.

 

5. Shower head height

Consider what height the shower head should be. The standard shower head is 2000mm from the floor with taps and handles usually at 1000mm to 1200mm. Ideally, the shower head height should accommodate the tallest person who will be living in the home. If you have particularly tall or short family members or accessibility issues, consider a different height or a removable and adjustable shower head.

 

6. Bathroom storage

Bathrooms do not usually feature significant storage spaces but there are some ways to increase storage in your new bathroom, from pull out storage solutions, recessed toiletry compartments and medicine cabinets, to closed and open shelving and storage alcoves.

• Pull out storage – Consider having bathroom cabinets or vanities with integrated pull out storage solutions. This could be pull out drawers, shelves, or doors for hair care products, skin care and bathroom accessories.
• Recessed features – Consider getting the builder to incorporate a recessed toiletry compartment in the shower or a recessed medicine cabinet behind the mirror.
• Shelving and alcoves– Open or closed shelving and alcoves can be built into the bathroom design. It can provide storage for towels, bathroom essentials or just aesthetic decor.

 

7. Flooring

Flooring seems like simply an aesthetic choice which is why the importance of choosing carefully is overlooked. However, the type of flooring you choose will impact both comfort and accessibility for people in the home. Think long term about any mobility issues, wear and tear on flooring, cost and longevity.

 

8. Laundry room storage

If your laundry room is large enough, don’t forget to use the extra space for storage or laundry preparation. Consider installing larger benchtops for folding laundry, additional sinks, deep shelving or hanging racks for clothes to air dry. Remember to have a full sized broom cupboard to keep brooms and larger cleaning items out of sight.

 

9. Hallway and door width

Hallway and door width are rarely given much consideration with a tendency to go with the stock standard size of 910mm width for hallways and 820mm for doors. Consider making doors and hallways wider to not only add a sense of space but allow easier access for those with wheelchairs or mobility issues.

 

10. Smart home technology

One thing that gets forgotten when building a house is considering smart home technology like the internet, security systems and sound systems. By thinking ahead you can make your home smarter and more comfortable. Remember the critical element of smart home technology is the wiring and a strong, reliable connection to the network. You will also need a central hub which will connect and control all devices.

 

11. Soundproof walls

Consider soundproofing some of the walls in the home during construction. This could be ideal for noisy rooms like laundries, bathrooms, home theatres, music rooms or playrooms. Batts or mineral wool insulation are excellent options for soundproofing.

 

12. Door swing direction

It is important to not forget the door swing direction when building a house. The direction the door swings can impact functionality, accessibility and safety in the home. Check the way each door opens on the building plans and work out if this is going to be convenient or if it needs to be changed. You don’t want a tiny bathroom or shower to have a door that swings inwards, or an entrance door that swings outwards and hits objects outside the home.

 

13. Wardrobe design

Don’t forget to take extra consideration when designing wardrobes in bedrooms. Think about who will be using the wardrobe and how much space they need. Be realistic about the amount of wardrobe storage you need. You may also want to consider upper and lower hanging rods for clothes, and additional built-in shelving or drawers.

 

14. Hidden storage areas

Homes with ample storage are the most organised so don’t forget to consider hidden storage areas. This might be a hidden laundry chute that transports clothes straight to the laundry room, or custom built-in storage areas that seamlessly blend into the home design like under the stairs.

 

15. Outdoor features

It is common to overlook the outdoors when focusing on the interior. When building a house don’t forget these important outdoor features.

• Lighting – Garden lighting is both aesthetically pleasing and practical so think about where you want and need garden lighting to be. Think about having lighting along pathways and at the clothesline for safety. Consider security and sensor lighting and installing them at the entrance and rear of the home, around the garage or out in the backyard if you have a large block. Have them installed during the building process.
• Plumbing – Have a plumber install plumbing outside if you are planning on having an outdoor kitchen. You also need plumbing for a gas barbecue if you prefer not to have gas bottles.
• Irrigation system – If you are going to have an irrigation system, make sure there is a large conduit pipe installed under the driveway before it is laid. This will save you time and money when it comes time to install the irrigation system.

With so many things to think about when building your dream home, it’s common to forget about the smaller details. However, it is these details that can help make your home more comfortable and functional for you and your family. Consider which of these small things might be important and don’t hesitate to contact the friendly team at Forme Homes for any further advice on building your new home.