Top 3 Bucket List Items for your Custom Home

When we built this home, there were a handful of upgrades that felt like big investments at the time. You know the ones — the things you go back and forth on because you’re not sure if they’re worth the extra cost upfront. Well, I can confidently say these three were absolutely worth every penny.

Here’s why:

1) Hidden Pantry

Hands down, one of my favorite features in our home. It’s the kind of thing you don’t realize you need until you have it. Not only does it keep all the random kitchen clutter tucked away (goodbye countertop chaos 👋), but it’s also where my toddler’s high chair lives when we’re not using it. Moving in, I honestly thought, “There’s no way I’ll fill this space.” Fast-forward a year and I can’t imagine living without it. In our old house, the pantry was basically a glorified hole in the wall — this one feels like a full-on game changer. Bonus: guests never have to see the mess, and I get to enjoy a clean, minimalist kitchen without actually having to live like a minimalist. 'Cause Lord knows I'm not one at heart. You can see inside more of our pantry in this video on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4yRvmOuxPv/

2) Heated Bathroom Tile Floors

This one felt like a “bougie” choice at first, and our tile guy almost talked us out of it (don't let them do that to you) but let me tell you — stepping onto warm tile first thing in the morning is an unmatched little luxury. It’s one of those things that makes winter mornings so much more bearable, and it instantly makes your bathroom feel like a spa. And once you have it, you’ll never want to go back. Seriously, the small joy of cozy toes is worth it every single day.

3) Geothermal Heating & Cooling

Now this was the big investment — and honestly, the one that made me hesitate the most. But after living with it, I can say it’s been worth its weight in gold. Yes, it’s a chunk of money upfront, but the savings on utilities every month are huge, and it’s incredibly satisfying knowing we made a choice that’s better for our future (and the planet 🌍). Plus, that 30% back in green energy credits makes the decision sting a whole lot less. It’s one of those upgrades where you feel the benefit both financially and ethically, which makes it a double win in my book.

The Bottom Line:

If you’re building, remodeling, or just dreaming about your “someday home,” don’t shy away from the things that might feel like splurges in the moment. Sometimes, those are the very upgrades that end up adding the most value to your daily life.