Custom Home Design and Luxury Home Building Must-Haves

If you’re thinking about opting for a newly built home, you already know–there are so many decisions to make! From exterior design options to flooring, cabinetry, layout and interior design considerations, it’s easy to get caught up in the high points of your new home. But until you live life in your new luxury home, “must-haves” could be more design-oriented than they are practical. That’s why we made this list, so that you can think through all the options on the table and make the best decisions surrounding your new home. 

We want you to love it as much in ten years as you do today, and incorporating small personal touches can make all the difference in the longevity and timelessness of your new home, while also adding value. Let’s get into fine-tuning your space to be the most comfortable and easy-to-use as possible.

 

Kitchen Design Ideas

A gorgeous kitchen designed by custom builders is always a joy to use, but with a few tweaks you can make it even better, more convenient, and perfectly suited to your everyday life.

 

Workstation Sinks

Cooking and kitchen work are messy, and the sink is heavily used in every kitchen out there. So why not make the sink the centerpiece of your kitchen tasks while also making cleanup easier and more streamlined? Ever wished that you could cut, chop, strain, wash and dry all in a small space without dragging implements across the kitchen? If consolidated is your vibe, then you absolutely need a workstation sink. 

What sets a workstation sink apart from the rest? Built into the design are low profile ledges that are subtle but strong enough to support accessories like cutting boards, drying racks, strainers and more. Handle every step of meal prep in a small footprint, while making minimal mess. A workstation sink can be single, double, and other configurations. This easy upgrade will add a unique touch to your home’s design while also making daily life more convenient and eliminating the friction points that could otherwise hold you back in the kitchen.

 

Strategically Placed Electrical Outlets

At Otero Signature Homes, we take pride in every detail of our custom home design. That includes the gorgeous backsplash in every kitchen we build–only the highest quality materials are sourced, and they’re installed to perfection. Why ruin that beautiful backdrop with unattractive but highly necessary electrical outlets? There’s another way!

Using “hidden” outlets allows you to have that requisite electrical access, but without marring the beauty of your kitchen. We can install outlets under your top cabinets, inside drawers, or even as popups. This allows you to have a sleek, clear and open design, along with the necessary utility access, right where you need it.

 

Under Sink & Stove Drawers

You want your kitchen to be beautiful and stylish, but you need this space to be functional and practical at the same time. As luxury custom home builders, we can handle that request. All too often, storage is lost in key spaces, like under a sink or due to a clunky cooking range. Opt instead for a wall oven and pair it with a countertop range, then use the space beneath to store the must-have cooking tools and utensils you need at the ready when you’re whipping up your famous culinary masterpieces. Decorative, non-functional panels are out, deep drawers and custom-built extendable shelving that’s designed to avoid sensitive supply lines, plumbing and other internal infrastructure is in. 

It’s easier than ever to access what you need, see what you have at hand, and ensure that you’re utilizing every square inch of your space while still being mindful of the pipes and cables that make modern life possible.

 

 

Double and XL Kitchen Islands

Does it seem like you never have enough counter space? If you have a large family or love to entertain, consider adding double or extra long kitchen islands to your custom home design plans. Multiple kitchen islands follow the trend of larger kitchens and a very open floor plan, and they can be configured using a range of shapes and sizes to get you the desired aesthetic while still being functional and practical. Use one island as a work station, with built-in cutting board, sink and appliances–like a dishwasher or wine fridge–while another island functions as your primary dining area or entertaining space.

 

Prep Kitchens

Known as a butler’s pantry in older homes, we’ve updated the language to reflect the truth about folks who don’t have a wait staff but like to cook from scratch and love to entertain. We present the "Messy Kitchen" trend for your consideration–it’s a must-have if you love to prepare food but also want to have a clean and orderly kitchen that’s always company-ready. This small room off of your main kitchen functions as a walk-in pantry and storage place for all of your entertaining-ware. But it also has plenty of food prep space and can house your coffee and tea station along with extra sinks and small appliances that would otherwise clutter up your main kitchen space. 

Close the doors behind you and deal with the mess later–enjoy receiving your guests in a clean and pristine kitchen, while the dishwasher hums and coffee brews out of sight. Pair a prep kitchen with a grocery door and you have the ultimate space for large-scale entertaining.

 

Add-Ons for Convenience and Style

A few more things we have to mention that deserve a place in a modern, custom-built luxury home include convenience must-haves like pot fillers near the stove. If you’re constantly filling pots and trying to carefully maneuver them to the stove, cut out that difficult middle step and simply fill in place. 

Incorporating spice cabinets that flank your cooking space means that you have what you need at hand, when you need to make a split-second, last-minute change to your meal. It also means you aren’t dragging spices all over the kitchen–put them right where you need them and use them most.

 Statement, custom-built range hoods cut an impressive profile and draw the eye and the crowd to your kitchen space while also serving an extremely practical purpose. Whether your cooktop is against a wall or incorporated into one of your multiple islands, standalone and wall-mounted range hoods bring power and elegance to your kitchen.

 

Utility and Practical Additions

To keep your gorgeous, custom-built luxury home looking its best, you need some areas where you can easily and seamlessly handle the messier parts of life.

 

Dog Wash Station

If you have a furry family member, you know that their adventurous spirit can get the best of them sometimes. A fun romp outdoors with the kids can leave your pup smelling and looking less than their best. You don’t always have time to run them to the groomer’s, but washing them in your personal bath is out of the question. We have just the answer–a dog wash station in your attached garage that is outfitted with both hot and cold water. Large or small, feisty or even-keeled, your pup can have a comfortable wash and you don’t have to worry about making a mess. Better still, we can build the dog wash station to your specifications so that even those with reduced mobility can still comfortably wash their pet at home.

 

Full-Service Mud Room

Whether it’s kids, pets, or messy hobbies or occupations, you need a space where you can leave muddy boots, shed dirty clothes, and clean up before going inside. This could be an extension of the space where you locate your dog wash station, or it could be a secondary, smaller mud room. Either way, a sink and even a hose station paired with a compact shower/drain area outfitted with a hand-held sprayer can help to make it easier to prevent tracking dirt and debris into your meticulously cared-for indoor living spaces. The ideal mud room would also have storage for necessary items like towels and toiletries, along with shelving or cubbies for shoes and boots, sports items, totes, and other grab-and-go supplies and equipment.

This space is also ideal for an area to cater to your pet’s needs, housing their food and water, along with a built-in kennel and custom cabinets that keep the litter box out of sight. Keep dirt contained and pets corralled when need be with a full-service mud room.

 

Second Floor Or En Suite Laundry Room

Regardless of where your bedroom is in the home, we can ensure that you have close and convenient access to laundry facilities. With second floor or en suite laundry necessities, gone are the days of carrying baskets of dirty laundry up and down steps, something that becomes increasingly difficult with age, injury or illness. We can install a laundry room of any size or specification for second-floor access, if that’s where your family bedrooms are. You can also opt for an en suite option–such as inside a master bedroom closet–if bedrooms are on various floors of the home. A smaller setup near the kids’ rooms or in-law’s suite allows them to handle this chore on their own. 

Depending on the layout in your custom home design, laundry access preferences will vary. But rest assured that the team at Otero Home can handle any request.

 

Smart Home Basics

Modern homes are more connected than ever before, and with good reason! Here’s what to consider.

 

Utility Connections

Wherever you are on your property–indoors or outside–you need convenient access to electricity. From outdoor projects to holiday or celebratory decorating and entertaining, there are so many reasons why you may need quick and easy access to an electrical outlet while outside. Obviously, there are safety concerns at play. Long, tangled extension cords pose tripping hazards and are unsightly, to say the least. Then there is also the weather and risk of water exposure to worry about. 

We can provide for your outdoor electrical needs while also keeping a low profile and conveniently locating multiple outdoor outlets around your property for easy access, no matter where you may be. This is an addition you won’t realize you need until you’re in the moment, and retrofitting is a major hassle and upset to your property–best to plan ahead. We can also incorporate convenient hookups for other outdoor appliances and cook stations. Opt to install these now, during the planning process of your custom home design plan.

 

Entertainment and Media

Communication and entertainment are no longer a luxury–they’re the basics. Ensure that you, your family and guests always have access to your favorite playlist, podcast, or other media feed with built-in speakers, inside and out! Never miss a moment of your favorite program, with continuous play throughout the home. And ask us about indoor or outdoor theater setups as well–your home can become your one-stop destination for everything you want and need.

 

Smart Thermostat

Part of luxury home building is being intuitive about your current needs and how they may change in the future. That applies just as much to Living In Place as it does to choosing and installing a smart thermostat. You can make your luxury home more energy efficient and intelligent by opting for a system that can be programmed to use less energy while still keeping your living spaces comfortable. Schedule specific times to raise or lower the temperature, based on your day-to-day plans and preferences, and never think about the thermostat again. 

Pair a smart thermostat with other smart home automation features for the ultimate hands-off control of all the various systems in your home.

 

Accessibility Features & Living In Place

Whether from age, injury or illness, anyone in your family could be temporarily limited or even experience a long-term change in their mobility. Building your custom home design plans with this in mind means that, come what may, you can comfortably and safely stay right where you are–that’s the essence of our Living in Place design protocol. Right now, during the planning stage, is when it’s ideal to build in features that will stand the test of time. 

Accessibility considerations could include:

• Main floor bedrooms
• Elevator-ready shaft in the center of the home
• Limited sunken rooms and unnecessary stairs
• Wider doorways and walkways/paths, indoors and out
• Full, main floor bathroom
• Reinforced shower walls for later addition of supports/grab bars
• Curbless shower with a seat and hand held wand
• Zero-entry thresholds
• Open floor plans
• No-touch faucets and comfort-height bathroom fixtures
• Smart lighting and smart home systems

Together we can work to build your forever home, planning ahead for a life full of purpose, meaning, and growth. We’ll use the latest technology and luxury interior design features to make your life better today, tomorrow, and on into the future.

 

Sustainable Living

Luxury home building can definitely leave room for sustainable living. In fact, at Otero Homes, we pride ourselves on taking advantage of the latest and greatest technology, and that includes choosing top-of-the-line products that are developed and crafted with green building principles. Innovative use of insulation is a top way to ensure that your home is making the most of every kilowatt hour of electricity. Beyond the materials themselves, we can also get your home solar ready, prepared for the contractor to install panels and make the necessary connections.

If you have an electric vehicle or plan to invest in one in the future, the most convenient option is to be able to charge right at home. We can install a sustainable charging system into your home for the safest and most efficient use of electricity. And during the planning process, before we break ground, let’s talk about the potential of installing a geothermal heating and cooling system. These investments in your home are also investments in sustainability and will pay you back in the long run.

 

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Luxury Custom Home Builders In Northeast Ohio

If you’re looking for custom builders who are also an interior design firm and can handle custom home design, you are in the right place. At Otero Homes, we specialize in luxury home building, custom home remodeling, and luxury interior design–whatever you dream, we can bring to life. Besides the basic considerations for luxury home building, we also offer a whole host of options to make your home uniquely yours, perfectly suited to your wants, needs, and your family’s lifestyle. 

Contact us today to learn more about who we are, get acquainted with our full suite of custom home design services, and to get started on your luxury home building journey. Feel free to peruse our custom home building portfolio and see what our customers are saying about our work. Welcome to your forever home–we can’t wait to meet you.