Whether you are building a new home or personalizing a beautiful, newly built green home, there is no need to think big and expensive. In fact, sometimes the smallest of touches can the greatest WOW factor!
A Separate Bath for Fido
If you are one of the 60 million dog owners in the U.S., you might just fall in love with the idea of a bathing station specifically outfitted for your dog. Floor-level models can be designed to accommodate larger dogs while standing height fixtures can work perfectly for a small pup in need of a good cleaning.
These bathing stations, however, offer more than puppy comfort. You can hang up the hose if you’ve been using it to wash down your dog, and, even better, if you’ve been sharing the bathtub, you can reclaim it for yourself as well. Best of all, you can place you doggie bath station in an inconspicuous place within a newly built home such as a muddy room or laundry room.
Stargazing Skylights That Save Energy and Create a Healthier Lifestyle
Natural light is always a welcome sight, whether in summer, winter, spring, or fall. That’s why stargazing skylights are such a hit among those who prefer custom built homes. Depending on their placement, skylights can add up to 30% more light than a window. This extra light can help create the illusion of space or add warmth to smaller living spaces. Skylights also contribute to lower energy bills, an important factor whether seeking a green home, lower utility costs, or both.
Natural light is more than aesthetically pleasing. According to medical experts, natural light can help brighten dreary winter days in a way which reduces fatigue and mood problems that can be related to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Just imagine jazzing up a newly built home with skylights that will help you save money, enjoy the great outdoors, and live a healthier lifestyle.
Jetted Sinks Aid With Cleanliness and Laundry
If you own a single piece of delicate clothing, you should check out the jetted laundry sink. Conveniently placed in your laundry room, this little addition can be a multi-purpose helper. A jetted sink can replace the laundry cycle for hand washable clothing, reducing long-term wear and tear while providing all the quick and gentle cleanliness that you would want for your best clothing.
Dual Workspaces Simplify Kitchen Space
Do you love clutter? If so, dual workspaces aren’t for you. On the other hand, if you’re always in the mood to de-clutter, dual kitchen workspaces might be exactly what you’re looking for. Today’s technology has delivered numerous useful mini-appliances (think K-cups), so many, in fact, that kitchen countertops can soon become given over completely to storage.
Regardless of your kitchen size, a little extra room is always a benefit. One example of a dual kitchen workspace is an “appliance garage” which provides a way to store an appliance without the loss of easy access. Well placed outlets inside a walk in pantry are also a great area to store small appliances. To discover workspaces that could be maximized for kitchen efficiency, spend some time with a design builder. You’ll love the results when you build in some “hidden touches” to create the most amazing and functional kitchen space.
Hot Water When You Need It
On demand water heaters (also called “tankless water heaters”) can be 30% more energy efficient than conventional water heaters for homes that rely on a mid-range daily water usage, and even for homes that use a very high volume of water on a daily basis. The savings can be truly substantial. As the phrase implies, on demand water heaters provide hot water when it is needed, and you don’t have to suffer through an extra-long wait time as frigid water reaches a shower ready temperature.
Remotely Control Outdoor Lighting, One Outlet at a Time
Another energy saver that will definitely jazz up any outdoor space is having the ability to remotely control lighting, as well as other electrically powered elements. You can create a personalized schedule of lights-on, lights-off, or simply flick on the mood lighting at just the right moment. You can also select one light, two lights, or all lights remotely, with just the touch of a finger. Many of these outlets can be controlled through a smart home system and used on your I-phone or through a universal remote.
No Space Left Behind
If the researchers at the University of Massachusetts found the theory and practice of “no space left behind” worth study and application (and they did), then this is certainly a concept that is worth considering for a newly built dream home. At the household level, no space left behind begins evaluating your home to stretch each bit of non-functional spaces into the most useful of places. Your architect or builder can help envision and customize ways to put those overlooked nooks and crannies to their very best use. Belman Homes, one of the country’s premier custom home builders, is a leader with respect to the concept of “no space left behind,” as well as and other special touches that can help jazz up newly built homes. Belman Homes is no stranger to the coolest innovations, including dog bathing stations, stargazing skylights, jetted sinks, and dual kitchen workspaces. In fact, if you can dream it up, Belman Homes can build it!
