Home Features You Can Always Add After Construction

You have built the home of your dreams and now, you’re finally able to relax and enjoy it. That is, until you realize the five features you wish you had built! Before you panic, realize that there are so many home features that you can install after your house is built. 

A Deck

Having a backyard deck creates a great place to party, or just enjoy yourself at the end of a long day. Decks add more living space and functional possibilities for your yard. You can add a barbeque or smoker to your deck to extend your cooking options. You can personalize your deck by wood type and stain color to complement your home and yard. They are great places to consider adding a fire pit or outdoor fireplace. Planters with a variety of plants and flowers can add color and texture to your deck. Since decks often have vacant space beneath them, this adds additional storage space for yard tools like shovels, buckets, or other equipment that will now be protected from the elements.

A Backyard Patio

Another great feature to add to your home is a backyard patio. Patios create spaces for relaxing and dining outdoors. You can design any size patio you want based on how much space you have in your yard, and make it the shape that you want. It can be a simple, scored concrete patio, which is fairly easy to build and maintain, or be paved with brick or flagstone. Dress up your patio with an outdoor patio set, planters, and lounge seating. Consider adding a cover to your patio to protect it from sun and rain. 

A Finished Basement

If you do not have the funds to finish your basement when you build your home you can always add it later. A finished basement provides you a separate living space that feels set apart from the rest of your home. Finished basements make great family rooms, game rooms, bars, or play rooms. Before you do any work, do some research to determine what building permits you may need. You will want to install insulation, frame the walls, and install drywall. You also need to install a floor. A qualified contractor can help you do all of this if you do not want to take on the project on your own.

A Swimming Pool

If you decide you want a swimming pool after you build your home, this is still a possibility. Swimming pools are in-demand backyard features that provide a great place to spend time in the summer. Swimming pools encourage people to gather and be together, and swimming is great exercise. You can design your swimming pool to have upgraded features as well, like a waterfall or a diving board. It is not difficult to get the equipment you need to build a pool in your backyard. Concrete pump trucks can easily reach over your fence and other obstacles on your property. Swimming pools add value to your home and make your backyard a fun place to be.

Smart Appliances

The great thing about appliances is that they can always be changed, so you are not tied to whatever appliances you install when you build your house. Once you are able to install them, smart appliances can improve your home and make living easier. A smart refrigerator has a host of helpful features, including letting you be able to see what is in your refrigerator from anywhere. It can store recipes and even play music while you’re cooking. Smart thermometers allow you to adjust the air temperature from anywhere, so you can save energy when you are away from home. Smart washers and dryers can be started or stopped remotely, and send notifications to your phone when the cycles are complete.

Walk-in Shower

Your bathroom may not have been your priority when you built your home, but there is always time to make improvements. One great improvement for your bathroom is to add a large walk-in shower. Walk-in showers can be personalized with whatever finish you choose from subway tiles, to mosaic tiles, to slate tiles. Having a glass door instead of a shower curtain lets more light into your shower, and makes your bathroom look bigger. You can also include a built-in bench or built-in shelves. You can also add a new, luxurious shower head, like a multifunction showerhead with massage features. A benefit of walk-in showers is that they are easier to clean than shower/tub combos. As long as they are well-maintained, they are also more durable. 

Window Coverings

When you build your home, you may have gone with the standard blinds throughout your home, or opted for no window coverings at all. Regardless, you can always add and change window coverings. While blinds are the most common window covering, and are generally easy to clean, they are not always made of the sturdiest materials, and do not always look great. Roman shades are a nice option made from fabric that folds into itself until it reaches the top of your window. Plantation shutters are a great option because they are highly durable, and easy to clean and operate.

Landscaping

Your landscaping is something you can always make changes to overtime. Enhance your curb appeal by adding a tree or shrubs in your front yard to create visual interest. Adding a pathway to your front door lined with flowers can make your home seem more inviting. In your backyard you can add trees for shade, and shrubs or hedges to create more privacy. Consider working with a landscape architect or designer to come up with a comprehensive plan for your yard. 

Just because you finished building your house does not mean you cannot add new features. If, later on, you realize there are home features that you wish you had installed, chances are you will still be able to get these projects done. You can continue to improve the exterior and interior of your home even after the paint has dried.

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