Things I Didn’t Think Of (But You Should) When Building Your Custom Home

I get asked a lot... would you do anything differently? Short answer, no. Our house is perfect for us and we are so incredibly happy! But there are some things I didn't think about that might have been a nice add-on! When you’re building a custom home, your brain is focused on the big things — floor plans, kitchens, bathrooms, budgets. And while those things matter, it’s the small details that end up impacting your day-to-day life the most.

Here are a few things I didn’t think about ahead of time but absolutely would consider again (or do differently) if we ever built another home!

Outlets in the kitchen island

This seems obvious… until it’s not.

Think about where you’ll actually plug things in: mixers, blenders, laptops, phone chargers. Outlets in the island are incredibly convenient and keep cords from stretching across countertops or walkways. Function > aesthetics here.

Porch lantern placement

I'm not sure why I didn't think we needed this. I mean really we don't "need" it per say, but now looking at it, it might look nice with some lanterns! My husband will really love this one 😂 Porch lighting does more than you think. Placement, size, and style can completely change the look of your home from the outside. Make sure lanterns are scaled correctly to your porch, spaced intentionally, and placed where they actually provide light —

not just “decor.”

Landscaping design (before the house is done)

Landscaping often gets pushed to the end, but planning it early makes a huge difference. Think about walkways, lighting, trees, and drainage ahead of time. It’s easier (and usually cheaper) to plan for it upfront than to fix it later... I literally put no thought into this at all and got lucky that the person laying the stones down did a great job. Now there's no foliage in there... but it will come lol.

Wainscoting & trim details

GAH. My entire FYP on social media is this and now all I want to do is put this crap all over my house lol. Seems like a fairly cost effective way to make a space just look more luxurious. Kicking myself for this one.. especially after all the painting hiccups we had. But maybe room by room I can figure this out again haha. Chat GPT mocked up our master bedroom with it... and now obviously I have to do it.

A charging station for cleaning supplies

This is one of those life-changing details. If you use cordless vacuums, mops, or cleaning tools, dedicate a spot with outlets so everything stays charged, hidden, and organized. Your future self will thank you... we're making what we have work, but darn this would've been nice haha.

Automatic lights in storage & linen closets

Who knew it would be so dark in there until AFTER the house was built? 😅 Thinking about installing battery operated ones anyways, but motion-sensor lights in closets, pantries, and storage rooms are such a small upgrade with a huge payoff. No fumbling for switches, no forgotten lights left on — just simple, smart functionality.

Final thoughts

Custom homes aren’t just about how they look — they’re about how they live. The more you think through daily routines and small habits, the more your home will truly work for you!

If you’re in the planning phase right now, save this list and add it to your builder conversations. These little details add up in the best way.

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