Are you an empty-nester whose children have flown or are about to fly the coop? If so, you have new priorities and interests when it comes to building your next home. While most homes cater to the family unit by adding bedrooms, bathrooms, and family rooms. But when you only have to be concerned with your own interests, what should you look for in a home? Here are a few key elements in each main area.
1. Living Room
The public area of the home should be large enough for entertaining with friends. Many older homeowners like an open floor plan that allows them to use the kitchen or dining room while also having a connection with the living room. Look for luxurious features like a fireplace or large picture windows that help you enjoy spending time at home.
2. Kitchen
You may not need the sheer amount of space you did when preparing meals and snacks for an entire army of your children and their friends. So rather than focus on creating a large kitchen with room for every device under the sun, create a functional space that makes the best and most efficient use of what you actually like to use.
3. Bedrooms
The master bedroom should be a haven, large and luxurious. This is your time to indulge yourself—rather than think about others—so build that large walk-in closet, add that beautiful bay window, or create your own reading nook. In short, have fund with the master bedroom. Don't overdo the other bedrooms, but do include at least one guest room
4. Bathrooms
You'll still need plenty of bathrooms, but they should all be designed and sized with a view to aging in place. This means avoiding unnecessary elevation changes or tripping hazards. Include plenty of natural lighting to make things brighter and more visible. Modern bathroom fixtures, such as the shower and vanities, allow you to create highly accessible features that are still gorgeous.
5. Extra Rooms
Don't downsize your housing plans too much, even if you don't have multiple kids living at home. One or two extra rooms that might have been bedrooms in times past serve as flexible spaces for your own use now. You may want to add a craft room, a home office, a play area for the grand-kids, a convertible guest space, or even a 'man cave' (or woman cave).
Clearly, the key to home building at this stage in your life is to look at the common elements of a home with an eye toward designing something that focuses on you and your own future. Want more ideas about how to do this? Start today by consulting with an experienced home builder in your area.
For more information, contact a custom home building company.