What Inclusions Will Turn Your House Into a Dream Home?

Building your first home is fun, but somewhere in all the excitement it could be easy to overlook things, even if you’re building from a kit. Forgetting something isn’t necessarily a disaster, but taking the proper time to plan everything well will help you avoid any potential disappointments.

One of the things many first time owner-builders forget to think about in advance is making a list of non-standard inclusions that will enhance the beauty and comfort of the finished construction. Including better extras can make the difference between merely having a house and having a dream home. So here are a few inclusions to take into consideration during the early planning stages:

1. Roof Options

Colorbond roofing is one of the most recognisable traits of Australian architecture, so let’s start here. Colorbond gives you the advantage of rapid installation. The material is lightweight and strong, plus flexible enough that it can be adapted to almost any building situation.

Because it is easy to install, you not only save money on the initial purchase cost, but also the labour costs for installation. A steel roof is also easy to maintain and keep clean, which is definitely a feature you will love, especially if you’re collecting rainwater from your roof. Also, Colorbond is available in a wide range of colours, so you have one more way to express the personality of your home.

If you decide to use tiles, you will need to reinforce your roof to support the extra weight, you will spend more time and money on construction, and the council inspection process may be more demanding as well.

2. Exterior Siding

Constructing from brick is always popular, but has many of the same drawbacks involved with using tiles for the roof. Bricks are an expensive option, with slower construction time, higher delivery costs, and waste due to breakage. Building with brick also reduces how much choice you have about the colour of your home’s exterior.

Building with WeatherTex® or HardiPlank® is another option. These are lighter than brick, very easy to install, and when you add up everything they’re much more economical. Compared with traditional weatherboards, these are a more low-maintenance solution, and they’re a lot safer because you don’t need to worry about warping, cracking, splitting, or the ravages of insects.

3. Interior finish

When it comes to thinking about the interior, most people spend excessive time thinking about the colour, but what’s more important is considering the type of paint you’re going to use. It makes a considerable difference, and spending a little more can pay off in the long term.

Choosing a paint that’s designed for wash-and-wear, like Dulux Living-Proof Silk, means your walls will be much better able to cope with the stress of daily living. Your interior will look better and you save money by not needing to constantly repaint.

But before you make a firm decision about the brand and type of paint you’re going to use, you also need to know that these choices do affect the range of colour options available. So consider all the variables carefully before making your selection.

Cornices and skirting are also major factors to consider when planning the aesthetics of your interior. These inclusions can dramatically shape a room can look and feel. Consider the personality you want your home to have. While they may seem like small inclusions, picking the right cornice and skirting will significantly elevate the quality of a room.

4. Kitchen options

The heart and soul of any home can usually be found in the kitchen, so making the right choices here can actually affect the character of your home. Once again, however, the looks are not necessarily the most important part of the decision you make.

One of the most useful additions you can make to the kitchen is the inclusion of a glass splashback. This affordable item makes cleaning up after cooking a snap, and keeps your kitchen looking great. This is a major improvement over the traditional ceramic tile splashback.

You can buy all kinds of pre-packaged luxury kitchen installations, and really it’s just a matter of shopping around to find something that suits your taste and budget. Buying a pre-packaged kitchen deal is usually going to give better results than buying all the items individually, because you know the items are going to complement one another.

5. Bathroom Options

The bathroom choices are fairly obvious, as there’s only so many different types of furnishings that can be included, but the most important thing to think about here is the floor tiles. It’s better to spend more for high quality, durable, non-slip floor tiles than to spend many thousands of dollars later paying for expensive hospital bills after somebody slips.

Think also about luxury inclusions for your bathroom. You can install taps that are easy to operate, which makes your bathroom more accessible. You can install a custom shower head that changes the shower experience. And of course if you have room for a tub, that is always a welcome addition to the bathroom, especially if it comes with a jacuzzi option.

Let’s not forget the centrepiece of the bathroom; the toilet. Your toilet suite plays a big part in the appeal of a bathroom, so if you’re building from your own design plan around the toilet to ensure functionality and allure. Likewise vanities play a very similar role, so don’t take any shortcuts when planning for these.

6. Door and window fittings

The choices you make regarding your door and window fittings make some difference to the accessibility, aesthetics, and security of your home. Round door knobs are traditional, but lever style door knobs are easier to operate. You can choose numerous high-tech lock fittings, making your home more secure. You can also choose different material finishes including brass, chrome, stainless steel, copper, and bronze, among others.

Making the right decisions will save you time and money later

It’s much better to make decisions you’re happy with as early as possible in the process, so that you don’t need to deal with the expense of making changes later. With careful planning and just the right amount of luck, your new home will give you years of pleasure and that’s something worth making the effort for.

Discover more options to customise your dream home. Take our quiz to find the best home for you, or take a virtual walk-through of one of our homes.

The post What Inclusions Will Turn Your House Into a Dream Home? appeared first on Kitome.

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