Upstate NY Custom Home Building Blog

The old saying, “It’s what’s inside that counts,” is just as applicable to homes as it is to people. In fact, the features you choose for your new Finger Lakes house will truly make it feel like home. If you are sharing your new house with family members, consider adding a few of these things.

Top Features for Family Homes in NY

• Open Floor Plan: Need to keep your kids in sight while you cook, clean, or relax? A light and airy open floor plan enhance communication and togetherness while improving the flow of your house. Open your kitchen to your family room or create one large open area by combining the great room, kitchen, and dining room.
  
  
• First- or Second-Floor Laundry Room: You certainly get more exercise if you lug laundry baskets to a dreary basement laundry area, but’s that probably the only benefit of a lower-level laundry room. Adding a laundry room on the same floor as the bedrooms make doing laundry less of a chore.
  
  
• Spacious Living Area in Your NY Custom Home: You spend most of your waking hours in your living or family room. Why settle for cramped, dark spaces that are anything but family-friendly? Our floor plans provide plenty of space for your furniture and offer thoughtful features, like cozy gas fireplaces, tray ceilings, and built-in storage. Do you like the look of hardwood floors but know they won’t be practical for your family? Luxury vinyl plank floors look just like wood but can withstand years of abuse without showing wear.

• Mudrooms: The foyer is the first thing people see when they enter your New York custom home. Unfortunately, guests won’t focus on your dramatic staircase or impressive chandelier if your foyer is littered with shoes, jackets, backpacks, and umbrellas. Custom floor plans with mudrooms make it easy to keep your family’s belongings neatly organized. A convenient bench offers the perfect place to put on shoes and coats and double-check backpacks for homework. Add cubbies or lockers for even more storage space.
  
  
• Play Spaces: Keeping toys and books corralled is a priority if your living room also serves as a play area for your kids. When you add storage options, the room easily functions as both a playroom and an attractive, comfortable space for relaxing and entertaining. Furniture-quality shelves and cubbies, complete with wicker baskets that complement your décor, make it easy to store toys when playtime ends. Built-in storage upgrades offer another way to keep games and toys out of sight. Pinterest offers plenty of small living room/playroom combo ideas if you need a little inspiration.
  
  

• Jack and Jill Bathrooms: Located between two bedrooms, Jack and Jill bathrooms are ideal if you have kids.
  
  
• Flexible Rooms: A bonus room or unused bedroom gives you the flexibility to create virtually any room you want, whenever you want. Need bonus room ideas? When your kids are young, turn the room into a nursery or play space. As they get older, the room can become a gym, craft room, art studio, den, or hobby area. Adding a sofa bed, day bed, or Murphy bed to a bonus room ensures that you’re ready for overnight guests.
  
  
• Finished Basement: Finishing your basement increases your home’s living space and its value. The options for finished basements are endless. Screen movies in your home theater, entertain friends in your rustic pub, or improve your golf swing with your sports simulator. Other finished basement options include games rooms, workshops, guest suites, yoga studios, play areas, and second family rooms.

• In-Law Suite: Whether they live with you or only visit occasionally, an in-law suite offers peace and privacy for your parents or elderly relatives. Although in-law suites are often cramped, they don’t have to be. When you build a custom home in New York, you choose the size of the suite. Add a home office, spacious great room, or any feature you like to make the suite more comfortable for your family members or guests. Incorporating universal design features ensures that the in-law suite is accessible for people who have mobility issues or disabilities.
  
  
• Home Office: Are you currently working from your couch or your dining room table? If you add a dedicated home office to your Finger Lakes custom home, you’ll always have a quiet place to finish projects or participate in online meetings.

Build Your Family Home Near Rochester with Gerber Homes

Are you looking for the perfect spot to build a custom-family home in New York? Many of the communities we build are located near parks, playgrounds, schools, and stores. (For example, Fox Ridge is minutes from downtown Canandaigua, while Centennial Village in Ontario has its own recreational pond and is just down the road from James A. Beneway High School.) Thanks to our large lot sizes, you’ll have ample room for a play structure, playhouse, garden, pool, trampoline, greenhouse, or deck.

Ready to make the move to a brand new custom home? Give us a call or use our convenient online contact form.