Buying a new home gives you a whole new set of options. You can customize many features to your liking, which pay dividends in function, form, and resale value. Talk to your builder about the features that are important to you.

Adding A Dog Bathing Station

Adding a dog bathing station is easy to make your home more dog-friendly. These stations are great additions to the laundry room, mudroom, or basement. Consider the size and age of your dog when choosing a design. Ideally, it should be within easy reach of a regular dog door. Besides a sink and a bench, you can also incorporate a towel shelf near the dog bathing station to help your dog dry quickly. This will help you prevent the dog from licking off the water. Another great idea is to use a piece of furniture as a drying station. This way, you can use it for other purposes, including storage space. You can also use built-in tiled niches to stack towels or store treats and toys for your dog.

Adding A Central Vacuum System

Adding a central vacuum system to your new home is relatively straightforward. The first step is to identify where pipes and wires should be located. This can take a full day. However, if you have yet to gain experience with this type of installation, you can hire an experienced company to perform the installation.

A central vacuum system is a valuable home improvement for several reasons. For one, it can help reduce the number of allergens and pollens in the home. Another benefit of a central vacuum system attested by firms for homes for sale in Iowa Colony, TX, is that you won’t have to spend as much time cleaning each room in your house. You can also use it to help reduce your allergy symptoms and improve your quality of life. Moreover, a central vacuum system can earn you points under the LEED for Homes and National Green Building Standards.

Adding A Programmable Thermostat

Using a programmable thermostat can help you lower your energy bills, save money, and increase the comfort of your home. A programmable thermostat works with your heating and cooling system to maintain a specific temperature throughout your home. It can save up to 1% of your energy bill for every degree it keeps your home at the correct temperature. The programmable thermostat will allow you to set specific temperatures for your home, and you can set different zones to be comfortable at different times. For example, you can program a zoned thermostat to control the temperature of certain rooms, such as the upstairs bedroom. The thermostat will also allow you to remotely control the temperature of rooms in your home, which is convenient if you are away for a long time.

Adding A Motion-Activated Light

If you are planning to add a motion-activated light to your home, you will need to install the device in a place where you can monitor it. There are two ways to do this: a motion sensor or a manual switch.

A motion sensor is a light that detects motion and turns itself on or off. Many motion sensors are available, including standalone lights, security floodlights, and light switches. There are also motion-activated lights that can be wired to your existing lights. The main benefit of a motion sensor is that it is entirely automated and doesn’t require any human interaction. You should first test the light for electrical function. You can also take a photo of the wiring setup to refer to it later. You may have to hire an electrician to install the motion sensor. 

Adding A Skylight

A skylight is a great way to add natural light to a room. The amount of space needed to fit a skylight varies from room to room, but it should be at least 10 percent of the room’s total floor area. Similarly, a skylight should be at least 15 percent of the floor area in a room where windows or other natural light sources aren’t present. When considering skylights, remember that they must be supported properly and comply with local building codes. While skylights are generally considered a great addition to any room, they can be distracting if located in the wrong place. Also, remember that some types of skylights can cause seasonal affective disorder, which can cause symptoms of depression, fatigue, and irritability.