https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 23:32:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1975075 Mon, 08 Dec 2014 10:08:40 +0000 alohaorchid 1975075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We building our dream home right now and here was a list of must haves:</p> <p>- large, counter heigh island<br /> - upstairs laundry<br /> - central bonus room<br /> - two car garage<br /> - fireplace<br /> - 9" ceilings<br /> - stone countertops<br /> - proximity to golf course and walking trails</p> <p>I was also very specific about design but since design style comes and goes, the things listed above were most important to us </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974903 Mon, 08 Dec 2014 08:35:38 +0000 hilary 1974903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So most things are covered by other people but soft close features on any new cabinets, a ventless gas fireplace is always nice and is super efficient, storage everywhere! If your 200 year old house is anything like my 100 year house it's sorely lacking. </p> <p>Also if any new stuff can be sourced from architectural salvage (like doors, moldings, etc) you can keep a continuous look that goes with your old home. I'm in the market for 2 panel doors for the additions on our home so I can replace the 6 panel doors that only exist on the additions. It sometimes takes a while for those things to be available so it doesn't hurt to start looking early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974869 Mon, 08 Dec 2014 07:50:40 +0000 looch 1974869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually want less space in our next house, but better designed/utilized. </p> <p>On my list: gas range and electric oven, three car garage OR a separate storage shed for the snowblower, lawn tractor and bikes, double pane insulated windows, mud room with laundry off the garage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974867 Mon, 08 Dec 2014 07:48:58 +0000 PinkElephant 1974867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've gone from living in an ultramodern apartment with a lot of awesome features like heated floors, USB outlets, etc, to an equally amazing but 100% different brownstone built in 1899. We don't own for now, and there are definitely some things we'd change if we did (some of these things we are doing ourselves):</p> <p>Add dimmers to lights - high ceilings in old homes can require bright lights but we don't always want them on full blast.<br /> Run cable/internet fiber to all the rooms<br /> Give basement floors a slight pitch to the sump pump if you're in a flood prone area<br /> Put in plenty of practical storage - including lots of shelves/bars/hooks in the closets</p> <p>If you can keep original panelling, doorknobs, shutters, etc I would - even if you repurpose them ( ie crystal door knobs as coat hooks in the entryway). We get so many compliments on the "old stuff" in our home.</p> <p>Have fun! Our dream is to buy a place similar to what we live in now and gut renovate to marry modern and historic. Just have to find the right house! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974864 Mon, 08 Dec 2014 07:47:04 +0000 Mrs. J 1974864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would recommend a first floor laundry rather than a second. I know several people who have had issues with a second floor laundry because the vent is harder to clean up there and leaking has occurred down to the rest of the house. My in laws have a first floor laundry and it is wonderful! </p> <p>I would want an open floor plan, en suite master bath with double or two separate sinks, walk in closet,walk in pantry, play room, and a craft room. Oh and storage storage storage! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974857 Mon, 08 Dec 2014 07:40:55 +0000 lamariniere 1974857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BananaPancakes: They are cool! Our current apartment was completely renovated before we moved in and they actually installed iphone chargers, but for the 4th generation phones, so we have to use adapters to make them work with our iphones (first world problems, I know). But USB outlets would have been a much better solution and compatible with so many other things! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974853 Mon, 08 Dec 2014 07:37:52 +0000 BananaPancakes 1974853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lots and lots of storage. Our 60's ranch has practically none and it drives me bonkers! Also, double ovens and a double master vanity. </p> <p>@lamariniere: I didn't even know about the USB thing until I started following SoPo Cottage's blog. They renovate homes (professionally) and add USB charging outlets around the houses. It was one of those things I didn't even realize I needed, but I sure think they're awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974849 Mon, 08 Dec 2014 07:16:43 +0000 lamariniere 1974849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I rent an apartment, but I dream about things I would like if we owned!</p> <p>Lots of storage.<br /> All wood floors except kitchen and bathrooms.<br /> Lots of kitchen cabinets and ones that are large enough to accommodate appliances like a food processor.<br /> Wine cellar (I'd take a wine closet)<br /> Massive shoe storage closet/system that closes.<br /> Laundry room with built in drying racks.<br /> Large walk in shower with separate tub.<br /> Windows with built in shades<br /> USB outlets<br /> Multiple internet connection outlets so the whole house is internet ready </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974779 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 23:39:58 +0000 Hoots 1974779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Extra outlets (pantry, closets, end of halls, garage), wired for surround sound and home security system, lots of storage, walk in shower (vs enclosure), sound proofing in bedrooms, and a well thought out hvac plan are the things I'd do if I could renovate. Oh, and quartz counters!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974762 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 22:50:11 +0000 Applesandbananas 1974762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't know heated floors were a thing!</p> <p>I'd want a family room in addition to a living room, plus an extra half bath for guests! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974757 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 22:44:23 +0000 marionberry 1974757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Open floor plan, minimal stairs, dark hardwood floors, white molding, greige paint, granite/quartz kitchen counters with white modern cabinets, large on suite bathroom in the master with two sinks and master closet, soaker tub, fireplace in the master, close proximity of kids rooms to my own, great entry with open staircase, folding station in laundry room, etc. I could go on and on. I want to win lots of money and renovate my home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974752 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 22:34:17 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1974752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Steam shower, radiant heat, two ovens, plantation shutters, laundry en suite, walk in master closet. The walk in closet is the one thing we don't have and I'd really like. Our house has all my dream features otherwise (and a few I didn't know I wanted). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974741 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 22:13:59 +0000 Pancakes 1974741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd love a utility sink in my (hypothetical) second floor laundry room! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974737 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 22:10:03 +0000 aderyn 1974737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I want heated wood floors, fairly small house. Space efficient. I would like a loft where our bedroom is. A finished basement to make the tiny house bigger. I have pet rabbits, so a room exclusively for them that's bunny-proofed. Maybe double it as a nursery for future babies until they get big enough to harass the buns. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974727 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:54:04 +0000 avivoca 1974727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Heated floors, energy-star windows, skylights, solar panels, and a pantry. I would kill for a pantry these days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974726 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:53:38 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1974726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A first floor play room. We have one story living right now but plan to buy a two story home in the near future. I want a separate play room so I can enjoy a clean, toy free living room! (I can dream, right?!)</p> <p>Strategically placed outlets - whoever built our house was a moron. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974725 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:52:23 +0000 Sparkler 1974725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mudroom, first floor powder room, first floor library/study, butlers pantry w/ wine fridge and sink, huge wolf range with 6 burners, large island, French doors leading to patio from eat in area of kitchen, master bath, fire place and the list goes on... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974703 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:41:05 +0000 hotchildinthecity 1974703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Heated floors was the first thing I thought of! We were in a hotel recently with heated floors and it was amazing. Our apartment right now has a mix of hardwood and marble floors and the marble is soooo cold. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974699 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:38:05 +0000 yoursilverlining 1974699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: my aunt and uncle have radiant floors and I love them so much!! We looked at one house with them, but it was like the only nice feature of that house haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974695 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:33:58 +0000 ElbieKay 1974695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Double sinks in the master bath. Or two master baths ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974693 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:31:22 +0000 Greentea 1974693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: we have radiant heat floors and it is wonderful (we rent). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974685 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:23:11 +0000 Lindsay05 1974685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Open floor plan, in floor heating in the foyer, main floor laundry, wood fireplace </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974683 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:20:33 +0000 mrs scrapbook 1974683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes @MapleMoose: Tilt windows - so easy to clean! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974677 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:15:06 +0000 yoursilverlining 1974677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kudos to you on geothermal! I'd love to go that way at some point, but to switch over at our current home would be over $40k (we had 2 estimates done), and I can't justify that. </p> <p>My other "high-end" dream feature is heated floors.</p> <p>What about a walk-in pantry? Love ours!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974674 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:09:33 +0000 MapleMoose 1974674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sunroom, recessed lighting, skylight, tilt in windows (way easier to clean), at least one plug in outlets controlled by switch (for lamps), under cabinet lighting</p> <p>I'm sure there's more but those are some of the things I really like having that I can think of off the top of my head. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974665 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:05:16 +0000 yellowbird 1974665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lots of storage (coats, shoes, vacuum, brooms, mops etc). Even heating and cooling throughout the home, lots of cabinets and counterspace. Little/no carpet. I hate how it looks when it gets dirty/worn</p> <p>@Greentea: solar heating would be amamamamazing!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974662 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:02:33 +0000 Greentea 1974662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would want a fireplace, open floorplan, wood floors and solar. We are in an apartment but the solar pays for almost all the heat and I keep it at 80. Yes I admitted that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974655 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 20:56:58 +0000 cait 1974655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A kitchen with lots of cupboards and counter space is a big one for me. I also love the look of built in shelves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-features-would-you-want-in-a-house#post-1974639 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 20:47:28 +0000 AmeliaBedilia 1974639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are going to start a massive renovation on an old house. Our contractor told us to make a list of all our wants and needs, big or little. It is a little overwhelming, and I need help! To give some idea, here are some of the ideas already on the list:</p> <p>second floor laundry<br /> mudroom<br /> induction cooktop<br /> walk in shower<br /> area to exercise<br /> geothermal heat<br /> huge pantry</p> <p>What would you put on the list? Thanks!</p> <p>ETA: the house is 200 years old, has beautiful hardwood floors, and we are planning on putting in solar panels. </p>