Building a new home in 2025? Congrats! Whether you’re designing your dream house or just trying to make sure you don’t forget the essentials (like, you know, outlets in the right places), we’ve got you covered. Here are ten must-haves to make your new home functional, stylish, and just plain awesome.
And if you’re on the hunt for a builder or designer, but don’t know where to start, click here. We offer design services nationwide or we can build and design your dream home in the Twin-Cities area!
1. Smart Systems & Locks
Gone are the days of losing your keys and breaking into your own house like a burglar. Keyless entry, app-controlled locks, and integrated security systems let you lock up from anywhere—because let’s be honest, we all forget sometimes. While we love Emtek products, there are a variety of brands out there that offer similar items depending on your needs!
2. Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Love the look of hardwood? Engineered hardwood is your new best friend. It’s durable, moisture-resistant, and perfect for surviving kids, pets, and that one clumsy friend who always spills something. In almost every new home we build, our go-to flooring is engineered hardwood. So trust us when we say, it’s worth it!
3. Mudroom
If you live in the Midwest (or anywhere with messy weather), a mudroom is a no-brainer. It’s the perfect spot to dump your snowy boots, muddy shoes, and whatever else life throws at you—keeping the rest of your house cleaner. Just make sure you choose a water-proof flooring like tile!
4. Island Seating or an Informal Dinette
Let’s be real—no one actually eats at a formal dining table anymore. Or if you do, it’s only a few times a year when you’re hosting holidays. A kitchen island with barstools or a cozy dinette nook keeps the family close to the food and makes meal times feel more casual and fun.
5. Quality Light Fixtures
Lighting can make or break a room, so don’t cheap out here. The right fixtures will make your space feel warm and inviting—or, at the very least, help you avoid looking like a ghost in your Zoom calls. Plus, this a place in each room that can help tie everything together. Go bold and fun or let the fixture blend into the ceiling depending on what you are going for!
6. High-Quality Plumbing Fixtures
We can’t repeat this enough: BUY QUALITY PLUMBING FIXTURES! Cheap faucets and shower heads initially seem like a good idea because of the price tag… until they start leaking or breaking. Do yourself a favor and invest in good fixtures—you’ll thank yourself when you’re not dealing with a dripping sink at 2 AM.
7. Thought-Out Outlets
Few things are more frustrating than realizing there’s no outlet where you actually need one. Plan ahead! Floor outlets for lamps, higher outlets for wall-mounted TVs, and plenty of USB and smart outlets will make your life way easier.
8. High-Quality Paint & Durable Enamel for High-Traffic Areas
Walls and baseboards take a beating—especially if you have kids, pets, or just an overall chaotic life. Invest in high-quality paint that won’t chip every time someone breathes near it. Your future self, and pocket, will be grateful.
9. Automatic Lights in Closets
Because fumbling around in the dark to find your favorite sweater is so last decade. Motion-activated closet lights make life easier and save energy—win-win! Just remember to place it in a spot that only gets trigger when you walk IN the room, not when you’re walking past it.
10. Automatic Fans in Bathrooms
Steamy mirrors and lingering humidity? No thanks. Automatic fans that kick in when moisture levels rise help keep your bathroom fresh and mold-free—because scrubbing mold is nobody’s idea of a good time. We also recommend running a fan for about an hour after showering to really eliminate any humidity affecting cabinet or wall paint.
A new home is a big investment, so make it one that works for you. With these must-haves, you’ll have a house that’s functional, stylish, and full of smart little details that make everyday life easier. Now, go forth and build your dream home!
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