Your Building Blog for the Rochester Area

When you’re considering building a new custom home, where you choose to build is just as important as the design and construction of the home. For homeowners looking to build in the Finger Lakes region of New York, the town of Victor has lots to offer. Here’s a brief look at some of the features that make living in Victor, NY so appealing.

Great Schools

Niche.com gives Victor high marks for the quality of its schools, including ratings of “A” or “A+” for the top public schools serving the residents of Victor. Those include Pittsford-Mendon High School, Barker Road, Middle School, Victor Senior High School, Park Road School, and Honeoye Falls-Lima Senior High School. the Victor Central School District is ranked #1 Best School District in Ontario County. Victor's commitment to great public schools is evidenced by the fact that the town spends $15,582 per student for education—compared to the national average of $12,383.

Just the Right Size

With a population of just under 15,000, Victor is just the right size to have all the amenities you want without feeling crowded. And it’s conveniently located for work. The average commute time is just over 21 minutes.

Safety and Security

Feeling safe and secure at home is important, and Victor shines in that regard. Bestplaces.net rated Victor #6 in the rankings for Most Secure Places to Live in the U.S. (Mid-Size Metro Areas).

There Are Plenty of Things to Do in the Area

Whether you want to enjoy an evening out, do some serious shopping, get out and enjoy nature, play some golf, or indulge your senses with the Arts, you can do that in and around Victor. Here are just a few of the opportunities that you can easily access just minutes from your home.

• Dryer Road Park
• The Apple Farm
• Valentown Museum
• Powder Mills Park
• Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan
• Fort Hill Trail
• Eastview Mall
• Ravenwood Golf Club

What Do the Current Residents Say About Victor?

If you want to get the inside scoop about what it’s like to live somewhere, there’s no better source than the people who actually live there! Here are comments from Victor residents in their own words (from Niche.com):

"I've grown up in Victor my whole life and have enjoyed every year. Victor has [a] great school district and many options for athletic activities. Living [in] Victor allows for easy access to Eastview Mall, the thruway, and I490. Victor also has many food options both sit down and quick-serve. Victor has so much to offer and overall is a great place to grow up and live."

"I love living in Victor, NY. I was born and raised here and hope to one day raise a family of my own here. With the recent growth that Victor is experiencing, I believe that it will become an even better place to be in the future!"

"Victor is a wonderful place to raise a family. There is enough here to entertain and live life to the fullest, but it is small enough that it is a fairly quiet place."

"Victor is a great community for all. It has many family-friendly places like parks and activities. Also, it has a huge mall and an array of stores and restaurants for those who enjoy those things. It also has many facilities for working out and sports for all ages. Finally, it is close to the city of Rochester making even more places of interest available."

Building in Victor is a Good Investment

It’s important to know that your new home will hold its value. Home appreciation for Victor is up 4.3% in the last 12 months.

A Special Place Your Victor Dream Home

We’d like to introduce you to a very special part of Victor that is a great place to build your dream home. Scout Reserve off Aldridge Road in Victor offers 0.6 to 7.9 acre partially wooded sites in a quiet, rural setting. Scout Reserve isn’t your typical development community. The lots have a much more relaxed and rural feel to them. It’s an ideal setting for a custom home that doesn’t look like every other home on the block.

And yet, the homes built here will be served by Town Water, Sewer, and Natural Gas. Despite the quiet, rustic feel of the land, it’s just minutes to downtown Victor, Area golf courses, the Eastview Mall, Route 490 and the NYS Thruway. Here's a look at the lots that are still available. One lot is currently ready for building and we expect the remaining lots to be ready for construction by the spring of 2020.

Click here for additional information about Scout Reserve in Victor, NY.

Without question, the kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home. It’s a workspace for creating meals. It’s often a place where you grab a quick meal or a snack. It’s where you entertain family and guests. If you have kids, it’s often where homework and school projects get done. It’s that kind of diverse utility that has shaped the design of kitchens over the years. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the major kitchen design trends for 2020.

Distinguishing Between Trends and Fads

Before we get into design specifics, let's distinguish between a trend and a fad. Fads come and go faster than you can say "Avocado-green appliances." Fads can be fun, but they tend to be less. A trend, however, is generally something that develops over time to reflect changing needs. Trends focus more on how you live, and what's important to you to make your home more comfortable and convenient. Trends also tend to stick around longer.

That being said, there are visual trends that are important to note because ignoring them can make the kitchen in your custom home look dated. That’s why some of the trends we’ll highlight will focus a bit more on décor, while others will focus more on utility and functionality.

Marvelous Marble

Beautiful Carrara marble is finding its way into the kitchen. It’s a bold and elegant look. However, if you’re concerned about staining (from red wine, for instance) you might consider quartz instead.  Engineered quartz is more affordable, less prone to stains, and still looks like natural stone. Here’s an article that talks in more depth about choosing the right countertop material for your custom kitchen.

Reclaimed Wood

There is something warm and welcoming about reclaimed wood. Maybe it’s because the material always seems as if it has a tale to tell that connects us to a simpler time. While this trend has been around for a while, it continues to enjoy growing popularity.

Pantries & Larders

Keeping kitchens organized and uncluttered is a challenge. That's one reason kitchen pantries and larders are so popular today. You can keep large packages of food and seldom-used kitchen devices (mixers, blenders, bread makers) conveniently stored out of sight. Pantries are great if you want walk-in storage space. A larder is a perfect plan if you don't need quite as much space—or if your floor plan won't accommodate it.

Combining Colors

Once upon a time, homeowners (and designers) wouldn’t dream of using varying colors in the kitchen. Everything had to follow a simple color palette. No longer. We’re seeing more instances of white cabinets being offset by bold colored bases (or go with a bright pastel!). The start contrast is very striking! A variation on this trend is the mixing of metals in the kitchen. Look for an increase in metal fixtures this year.  Don’t be surprised to see nickel used for knobs along with cool brass for the faucet. You may see yet another metal used for light fixtures.

Disappearing Appliances

While this trend isn't new, it has picked up steam. Instead of wondering whether stainless steel, black, or transparent black appliances have staying power, more homeowners are simply hiding their appliances—such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves—behind cabinetry. That leaves you with a kitchen that looks bigger. On top of that, you can choose the appliances that best suit your needs, even if their casings aren't a perfect match!

Open Plans

Open concept floor plans aren’t going away anytime soon. In addition to allowing lots of natural light, open floor plans often create even more visual space. You can have a bigger-feeling space without adding square footage. Another benefit is that open plans allow you and your guests to wander easily between spaces—and as the host or hostess, you’ll never be left out of the action when you’re in the kitchen. Open plans, however, do require a bit of planning, because both rooms (your kitchen and your family room) are visible to each other.

Dark Floors

Despite the rumors of their demise, white kitchens remain extremely popular. They are bright and cheerful and feel more open. But what we’re seeing is increasing numbers of homeowners are choosing dark flooring to offset (and show off) those white cabinets.

Think Timeless Beauty and Functionality

These are just a few of the trends we’re hearing about in the homebuilding industry. Keep in mind that fads will come and go. Even trends will evolve and change over time. But as you plan your new custom home, keep timeless beauty, comfort, convenience, and functionality in mind rather than chasing the latest “hot color” scheme. Make your kitchen a place you and your friends and family love to spend time.

One thing that makes a custom home so special is that you can customize (or personalize) features in your home in a way that makes it comfortable and convenient for you. Customizing your home also lets you emphasize design elements that reflect your personal sense of style. Your great room is a place that lends itself well to customization. Let’s look at some ideas for creating an incredible great room in your Rochester custom home.

Looking and Feeling Warm

Your great room is a room where you relax and feel comfortable. For many of us, this room is all about feeling cozy and relaxed. A fireplace is a great feature for achieving that look and feel. There is something welcoming about a glowing fireplace on a cold and snowy Rochester day. You can choose an elegant fireplace such as the one you see here or opt for a stone fireplace for a more casual or rustic look and feel. You can also choose between a conventional wood-burning fireplace or a natural gas unit that lets you turn the flames on (and off) whenever you want—without the hassle of cleaning out the ashes.

Built-in bookcases are another feature that contributes a warm and welcoming look to your living room. There’s something inviting about shelves of books and special mementos that makes you and your guests feel at home. An advantage to building the cabinets directly into the walls is that you gain extra storage and display space without having to sacrifice floor space. That makes your great room feel more spacious and uncluttered.

Fantastic Flooring

The flooring you choose for your great room makes a big impression as well. There’s no denying the warm and comfortable feeling that this wood flooring brings to the rustic family room you see here. Of course, you can also choose a more formal or elegant wood floor, depending on your specific taste. One nice thing about wood flooring is that it’s a great way to tie spaces together (in this case you see how the dining area transitions seamlessly into the family room) while still allowing each space to have its own identity. Should you go with natural wood or an engineered wood floor? Here’s an article that provides a helpful comparison of the two different options.

Custom Doors and Windows

When considering the design and layout of your great room, you’ll want to give some consideration to your doors and windows. There’s been a significant trend over the past few years to deliberately blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living. The photo you see here provides a great example of how folding glass doors (whether open or closed) create this stunning look. The example you see here is a traditional style, but folding doors are available from a variety of manufacturers that will perfectly match your home's style.

Custom Elements

Building a custom home also enables you to use custom elements within rooms to tie your design together. Here’s just one example from a custom home we built recently that shows how you can do that. The ceiling trusses pick up the same wood pattern used in the barn door—tying the whole room together. And you’ll notice that the tresses also work as a unifying element to tie the family room to the kitchen. This is a great example of how an open concept floor plan works to create separate spaces that still share common elements to tie them together.

More Customization Help

Of course, creating a custom great room is only part of your overall house plan. If you’re looking for additional ideas and information for creating the custom home of your dreams, we invite you to download our free Custom Home Guide eBook. It’s packed with helpful tips for budgeting, selecting a team, finding a home site, choosing a floor plan, and designing your custom home. 

If your current home no longer meets your family’s needs, you might be considering the best housing options. One question you might be asking yourself is, “Should I buy a spec home or build a custom home in 2020?” Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons you’ll want to consider—and whether the coming year is a good time to make a move such as this.

Building a Custom Home

Pros: The advantages of building a custom home are fairly obvious. You get to design a floor plan that best suits your specific needs. In many cases, you have the option of choosing the lot you want. You determine what finishes you want for your flooring, your cabinets, and your countertops. Additionally, you can also create a bathroom or a kitchen that is designed to enhance your lifestyle—and your sense of design. For many custom homeowners, there is a great sense of satisfaction in knowing that the home has been designed and built specifically for their comfort and convenience. And they enjoy the knowledge that no one else has ever lived in the home before them.

Cons: Building a custom home generally costs a bit more than purchasing an existing spec home. The exact amount will vary depending on the features and material required. Over the long haul, however, the value of the home is likely to remain higher. And given the fact that higher quality building means that fewer items will need to be replaced, it may make more fiscal sense. Some people choose not to build a custom home because they don’t want to wait to move in. Others simply don't want to deal with the decisions involved in the custom home building process.

Buying a Spec Home

Photo by Gerber Homes 

Pros: One benefit of buying a spec home is that it has already been built. This means that you not have to wait for construction to be completed before you can move in. In addition, most spec homes are located in newer communities, so the infrastructure (streets, sidewalks, sewers) is new as well. You also have the advantage of knowing that everything in the house is brand new from floor to ceiling. And if there are ever any issues, they’ll most likely be covered by your warranty. From a financial perspective, you will probably pay somewhat less for a spec home than for a custom home.

Cons: Purchasing a spec home, however, still means accepting an existing floor plan. You may have to adapt your lifestyle to the layout of the home. Additionally, you won't have the same opportunity to add your own personal touches to your home as the selections have already been made. One last disadvantage is that you may have less choice when it comes to location or lot. The home you like best may not be on the lot you prefer, however building a custom home will give you the freedom to build anywhere that you'd like. 

Ultimately, the choice of buying a spec home or building a custom home depends on what best suits your needs. If you’d like to explore the idea further, we build in several great communities in the Greater Rochester area and have dozens of beautiful floor plans that can help you start your planning for a custom home that will meet your family’s needs.

Of all the rooms in your home, your master bathroom may be the most personal. It’s also a room that you use multiple times every day—and it’s one that you can creatively customize to provide comfort, convenience, and a touch or two of luxury. Let’s explore some ideas for creating a luxurious master bathroom in your Rochester custom home.

Custom Convenience

 

First and foremost, your master bathroom needs to be fully functional and offer outstanding convenience. It's important to remember that it's probably going to be a shared space, so your bathroom design should consider that.

Vanities Are About More than Vanity

Togetherness is a great thing—except in the bathroom. Nobody wants to struggle for space when getting ready for work in the morning, or when they are trying to wind down for the night. That's why dual vanities are an absolute must for any custom master bathroom. Not only is it much more convenient to have your own sink, but it's also nice to have places for all of your toiletries where they are easy for you to access. Of course, having vanities that look great is a huge plus. The great thing about a custom master bath is that you can take the design in any direction you want. You can go for a sleek, modern look that sets the tone for the whole room. Or you can opt for stand-alone vanities that are custom-made (even from antique furniture) to create a warm, inviting space. Here’s an article that takes a more in-depth look at various vanity options.

Super Showers

Today's showers have come a long way from the simple showerheads that sprayed into a conventional bathtub. Spacious showers with multiple showerheads (such as rain showerheads and body sprayers) are increasingly popular. Many homeowners are opting for barrier-free walk-in showers that have great lines and are a real benefit for maturing homeowners who are thinking ahead about aging in place. Many homeowners are adding elegant grab bars and seating options that not only look great but also add functionality and safety.

Customized Comfort

 

Your master bathroom can also offer lots of comfort. Adding features such as towel warmers may seem like a small thing, but you’ll love grabbing a warm towel when stepping out of the shower on a cold Rochester morning. You can also take that warming comfort to another level by adding radiant floor heating. Nobody enjoys stepping on a cold bathroom floor in the middle of winter. Your master bathroom isn’t just a place to get clean. It can be a great place for a solitary soak in a freestanding soaking tub at the end of the day.

Light, Bright, and Private

It's easy for homeowners to overlook the importance of great lighting in the bathroom. Of course, you'll want task lighting for applying makeup or for shaving. But you'll also want to let in as much natural light as possible to keep things bright. Adding skylights or high windows to your bathroom lets you do that without having to sacrifice privacy.

Extending the Luxury

Your bathroom itself isn’t the only area where you’ll want luxury and convenience. As you design your room, you may also want to consider an attached dressing room or a large walk-in closet that provides plenty of storage, space to get dressed, and lighting that makes it easy to pick out just the right outfit for your day.

What About Cost?

When you (or your guests) step into your kitchen, the cabinets may be the most dominant feature in the room. Your cabinets set the tone for your whole kitchen and—with today's open style architecture—your whole home. That's why you'll want to take your time when choosing the kitchen cabinets for your custom home. Your choice of cabinets is a major factor in designing the kitchen for your Rochester custom home.

What’s Your Kitchen Style?

You’ll want to choose a style that fits your personal taste—and creates the right atmosphere for how you entertain in your home. When it comes to kitchen style, there are two basic elements you’ll want to consider: Cabinet style and color.

Cabinet Style

The current style trend in kitchen cabinets is leaning more toward Shaker cabinets—especially those that feature doors with recessed panels (although flat panel and raised panel doors are also quite popular in Shaker cabinets). These clean and simple cabinets are often found in farmhouse style kitchen—but that’s not an exclusive trend. Here’s a look at a farmhouse style kitchen we recently built. And it’s worth noting that a gourmet kitchen with an over-sized island is considered a “must-have” for many people building a custom home.

Cabinet Color

You may see design posts proclaiming the death of white kitchen cabinets. And yet, according to RealSimple.com 43 percent of homeowners still prefer white cabinets. Let's face it, you can do a lot of accent colors with white cabinets. Natural wood cabinets (such as oak kitchen cabinets or maple kitchen cabinets) also remain popular. There is something warm and inviting about natural wood in the kitchen. Gray kitchen cabinets are also increasing in popularity. As a neutral color, they also lend themselves to a variety of complementary accent colors.

One trend that has changed over the last few years, however, is that designers and homeowners are embracing two-tone kitchen cabinets. They'll paint their upper cabinets one color and their lower cabinets another color. Often this combination will include one set (upper or lower) in white, with the other cabinets being blue or gray. It's a very stunning look.

It’s interesting to note that—according to the same RealSample post—approximately 40 percent of homeowners upgrading their kitchen are opting for custom cabinets and 34 percent are choosing semi-custom cabinets. It’s an area where homeowners weigh the cost versus the value of building/design decisions they make. Many homeowners are convinced that the quality and functionality that custom and semi-custom cabinets offer is worth the money they spend.

How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost?

Before making your decision about what kind of cabinets to install, it’s a good idea to have a basic grasp of the cost differences. Homeadvisor.com offers some helpful information about the relative cost of stock cabinets as compared to semi-custom or custom cabinets. You'll notice a range of prices for each kind. Your exact needs or desires will impact your final costs, but these figures can be a good starting point for comparison. 

Can You Have a Custom Kitchen in Your Existing Home?

What if you already have a home you love, but would love to have a great new kitchen with custom or semi-custom cabinets? We specialize in kitchen remodeling for Rochester area homes. Click here for some ideas and images of the kind of kitchen you can have in your existing Rochester home.

Or, if you just want to talk to us about what you have in mind, please contact us and let us know what kind of information you’re interested in. We can help! We know you have lots of questions and our knowledgeable team is here to guide you through the whole process.

When you’re designing the kitchen in your custom home, think about what part of the kitchen gets the most use—and the most views. It’s probably the combination of your cabinets and your countertops. And when it comes to daily use, your countertops probably bear the burden of the most wear and tear. So, what’s the key to choosing the countertops for your Rochester custom home?

Keep in mind that your kitchen is a multi-faceted, multi-functional room. Chances are good that you use it both for food preparation and for entertaining in your home. That means your kitchen needs to look great and stand up to daily use.

Here are some things that you’ll want to consider:

Style

Your personal sense of style can be reflected in the countertop material you choose. If you're after a sleek, modern look for your kitchen, you have several choices. Granite countertops have been the “go-to” choice for upscale kitchens for a long time. They remain extremely popular because of their beauty, elegance, and unique natural patterns.  Quartz countertops, however, are hard on the heels of granite and have even surpassed granite in popularity in some areas.

Durability

All of the countertop materials mentioned here are quite durable. Granite can be somewhat susceptible to staining (from things such as red wine), but you can treat your granite counters yearly to protect them. Concrete is extremely hard and resists chipping and scratching. They’re also very heat resistant, and easy to maintain. You can expect your counters to last for decades with a minimum amount of basic maintenance. Butcher block counters will require more maintenance—and are not as heat resistant as natural stone and concrete.

Price

There is a fairly wide range of costs for various kitchen countertops. A recent (2019) homeadvisor.com post offers a quick guide to pricing. Your specific price will vary, but this provides a kind of baseline for costs.

• Granite will run you between $15-$140 per square foot
• Engineered Stone Quartz can cost between $15-$70 per square foot
• Wood/Butcher Block generally runs around $10-$38 per square foot
• Concrete costs around $50-$100 per square foot

Think About the Sink

Of course, you'll want to match your kitchen countertops with the right sink. So, keep that in mind as you choose your materials. Do you want an under-counter mounted sink (similar to the one in the picture above)? Do you prefer a single large basin or a double sink? Think about what kind of fixtures go best with the material you choose. Sleek modern faucets look great with quartz, granite, concrete, or even laminate countertops. You might want something more rustic or casual with a butcher block or other wooden countertop.

If you’re looking for more ideas and inspiration for the rest of your kitchen, we invite you to download our free Creating the Ideal Kitchen eBook. It’s packed with information about kitchen style, functionality, and how to plan for your new kitchen.

Webster

You’ve got to love a place where the official town motto is, “Where life is worth living.” Many homeowners are attracted to the natural beauty of the place—including great views of Lake Ontario. The town itself is committed to protecting that natural beauty and not long ago purchase more than 1,000 acres that are dedicated to outdoor activities such as hiking trails. That open space is also complemented by multiple parks within the city.

Great education is also important for parents of school-aged children. Webster has a lot to offer in that regard as well and the Webster Central School District is an outstanding public school district located in Webster, NY with more than 8,000 students in grades PK, K-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.

And while Webster is a quiet and comfortable town, it’s only a 15-25 minute drive down State Route 104 to downtown Rochester, and to the Greater Rochester International Airport.

Briarwood Estates is an exciting new community in Webster, located on the left side of Salt Road, just south of Lake Road.  Bordered on two sides by Webster Green Space, the community is a mix of rolling hills, mature trees, and sunny open spaces. Click here for additional information about Briarwood Estates, including images of one of our model homes and lot availability.

Canandaigua

If the idea of small-town living in the Finger Lakes Region appeals to you, you may want to check out Canandaigua. You can enjoy small-town living and lots of activities at the same time. Here’s a post that highlights some of what Canandaigua has to offer. Residents of our Fox Ridge and Old Brookside communities in Canandaigua enjoy a tranquil location that includes a mix of rolling hills, mature trees, and breathtaking views of Lake Canandaigua. Click here for available homesites in Fox Ridge or check out the last remaining homesite in Old Brookside!

Ontario

Residents of Ontario the abundant parks, above-average public schools, and access to outstanding healthcare. They are also close to numerous wineries and vineyards. And yet, downtown Rochester is only 25 minutes away.

Our Summer Lake community offers tranquil views of Lake Ontario from many of the home sites (the lots are roughly 1/2 acres in size.  sites. The community has the feel of a nature preserve with an incredible location just minutes to some of Ontario's best shopping and dining. Click here to see available lots and to view images of one of our models. There are also a number of lake-view properties available in our Centennial Village, Holly Meadows community.

Perinton

Twice, the Town of Perinton has been named one of the Best Places to Live in America. That probably has to do with this family-oriented community’s pristine environment that includes access to numerous great parks, great public schools, exceptional healthcare, and superior employment opportunities. The area also has weekly farmer's markets, seasonal festivals, and a wide variety of shopping and dining options. That’s part of the reason that there are relatively few available lots remaining in our Magnolia Manor and Copper Beech Run communities. Click here to see availability and for images of the community.

Victor

Nestled in the foothills of the Finger Lakes is the town of Victor. it offers residents, businesses, and visitors a peaceful, small-town setting within minutes of the Cities of Rochester and Canandaigua. If you’re looking for a larger lot with plenty of shade, there are still two 1-acre wooded lots available in our Scout Reserve community in Victor.

Sodus

If golf course living is something you’ve always dreamed about, you may want to check out our Fairways community in Sodus. There are home sites available along the prestigious Sodus Bay Heights Golf Course. Plus, it’s an excellent location that’s close to all of the fun at Lake Ontario.

The Town of Sodus is actually divided into two villages: The Village of Sodus and the Village of Sodus Point. Sodus offers a family-friendly atmosphere with ample public parks, excellent schools, and year-round recreational activities. Residents enjoy all of the local marinas, waterfront restaurants, as well as the breathtaking beaches of Sodus Bay. Click here for images of the community and to check out available home sites.

If you’re considering building a custom home in the Rochester area and you have kids, you’ll want to include them in your plans for the house to ensure that they feel like it’s their home, too! Let’s look at some of the areas you may want to think about when designing a kid-friendly custom home.

Bedrooms

Your home may be your castle, but your kids’ rooms are their domain. You can customize these rooms to your children’s personalities, tastes, and interests. One nice thing about building a custom home is that you don’t have to be restricted to conventional rooms. The bedroom you see here is an example of how you can take the bunk bed concept to a whole different level. You can decorate it thematically or colorfully—whatever suits your child’s preference.

Bathrooms

Providing separate bathrooms for your children allows you to have your bathroom all to yourself (Here is a look at some of the most important features for your master bathroom.). Another advantage is that you can customize the rooms to meet the needs of your kids. If you have smaller children, you can build in step stools that make it easier for them to reach the sink for washing and brushing teeth. You might think twice, however, about installing lower cabinets and counters. That’s something you’d likely have to replace as your kids get older.

Playrooms

Setting aside a special room devoted entirely to play is a great way to ensure your kids will love their new home. If you build a home with a basement, you will probably have space for a large play space that could accommodate a lot of different activities—and even sports such as soccer or basketball (on a smaller scale). Some families build in small climbing walls. If your kids are creative, you could dedicate a room to art projects or crafts.

Homework Spaces

Most parents pay close attention to the schools in the area before building a new home. But homework is a big part of education. And while your kids may not be thrilled about having a special space to do homework, it’s something you’ll probably want to think about. You can build a dedicated space into their bedroom, or you might consider allowing space for that in the kitchen in case your children need some help (or supervision).

Music Room

If you have a child that is musically inclined, you might give some thought to having a music room or practice room. Not only will it provide the necessary privacy (away from distraction), but you can also insulate the room so that the rest of the family doesn’t have to participate in practice.

Think Outside the House

Not all activities have to happen inside the home. If you think outside the house, you might want to build a tree house, or a clubhouse in the back yard. It’s a fun way for kids to be one their own—and still at home. Other things to think about are creating areas for sports—such as a small basketball court or an area where kids can practice soccer.

Kid & Adult Friendly Features

Having kids can be a dirty experience. That’s never going to change. It’s part of having kids! It is, however, one reason that features such as having a dedicated main-level laundry room and a mudroom are often considered “must-have” features for custom homeowners.

Kids remember their homes all their lives. Use your creativity to create spaces that will bring back fond memories for your kids long after they leave home.

Our homes are much more than roofs over our heads. They are places we interact with family and friends. And one big advantage of building a custom home is that you can create a space that allows you to entertain in a way that fits your specific personality and tastes. Of course, that takes some planning up front, so let’s take a look at a few things to consider when designing your custom home for entertaining.

Start with the Kitchen

For many homeowners today the kitchen is the focal point when it comes to entertaining. Today’s open design floor plans make the kitchen an integral part of hosting guests. It’s still a hard-working room, so you’ll want to make sure you design your kitchen to make food preparation convenient and comfortable. But, more often than not, guests today tend to congregate in the kitchen—even while the hosts are preparing meals or snacks.

That's one reason that over-sized kitchen islands are so popular. They provide you with plenty of work space for preparing and presenting meals and appetizers. You'll be able to visit with guests while you prepare—and they'll have room to set their drinks, and/or appetizer dishes. Nobody needs to be stuck alone in the kitchen anymore. As you think about your island, however, consider installing a separate sink in the island. It makes preparation easier—and it's a big help when it's time to clean up. You can also make your kitchen island do double duty. Include space for your family to sit at the island for breakfasts and snacks even when you’re not entertaining.

Build in a Home Bar

Another consideration is to build in a separate bar area as another gathering spot. That can take some of the traffic out of the kitchen. You may even want to include an espresso machine or other coffee/tea making station and keep a sparkling water maker (such as a SodaStream© or other brand) on hand.

Create Your Own Theater Experience

Of course, there’s more to entertaining than just eating and drinking. If you enjoy watching movies with your family and friends, you’ll want to think about adding a dedicated home theater that’s separate from your family room. Once again, planning ahead can make sure you end up with a theater/media room that you’ll really enjoy. Sure, you’ll want to pay attention to the television and sound system you install, but there’s more to the story than just the equipment. Think about the ideal location for your home theater. And take sound-insulation into account so that you can enjoy your movies or sporting events at full volume—without disrupting the rest of the household. Think about lighting as well. You’ll want area lighting and ambient lighting to set the right mood. Plus, you’ll want to make sure you can adequately cover windows to prevent glare while you’re watching.

More Fun and Games

Another fun option is to create a video arcade with “old school” style elements such as pinball machines or other arcade devices. Check out the Game Room Guys for a collection of classic arcade games that include everything from Pac-Man® to air hockey machines. Or, you may choose to create a space for younger children to play while the grownups are upstairs talking.

Customize Your Entertaining Ability

The beauty of building a custom home is that you have the ability to create spaces that fit your specific needs and desires. It’s what really sets a custom home apart. But it all comes down to figuring out what you want and taking the time to plan and design your home ahead of time. Our Custom Home Guide eBook offers a lot of help in thinking through the things you’ll need to know.