When people build luxury homes today in South Carolina, they know what they want. Recently, we have seen a great demand for certain luxury features. We thought they may inspire you as you consider what to include in your new dream home.
Of course, most of our homes have hardwood floors, with the exception of the bedrooms, at times. And most of our homes have mudrooms with cubbies for organizing everyone’s paraphernalia. Every kitchen has a kitchen island and most homes have formal dining rooms.
Also, most homes are modern Craftsman style with gas fireplaces with built-in cubbies on either side, dedicated laundry rooms, mahogany garage doors, and gas lanterns outside. Many also have ceiling beams made of reclaimed wood.
Here are some of the biggest specific requests for specific luxury features we see:
1. Large, beautiful outdoor living spaces.
The demand for outdoor spaces for families and friends to gather is higher than ever. We are building large vaulted screened-in back porches with fireplaces for some homes. Others have large decks or patios with built-in custom fire pits.
2. Master Bathrooms with Oversized Showers and Separate Tubs.
The master bathroom is one place to go all out with luxury. It ought to be a welcome retreat with the feel of a home spa. People request handheld shower sprayers, rain heads, body jets, and dedicated spray heads. Often, there are two or even three showerheads in one shower.
Generally, homeowners no longer want combination showers/tubs for the owner’s suite. Most clients prefer stand-alone tubs or drop-in tubs in an alcove separate from the shower space.
3. Quartz and Quartzite for Kitchens and Bathrooms.
Granite countertops were very popular for a time. Then marble. Today, quartzite takes the prize as the most-desirable natural countertop material. Quartzite is different from quartz, as it is a naturally occurring stone and not engineered.
Quartz, as shown in the kitchen above, is arguably the most desired countertop material today overall—due to its durability, wide range of available colors, and low maintenance requirements.
Pros of Quartzite
- Looks like marble.
- Much easier to maintain and clean than marble.
- Very durable.
Cons of Quartzite
- Limited colors (mostly whites and grays)
- Some types require sealing.
- Can’t tolerate direct heat.
- Can be scratched by knives.
Pros of Quartz
- Non-porous and antimicrobial.
- A much wider range of colors than can be found in natural stone.
- Resists staining better than natural stone or concrete.
- Doesn’t easily chip or crack.
- Very durable.
- Competitively priced with high-end natural stone.
- No sealing required, low maintenance.
Cons of Quartz
- May look too contemporary for some designs.
- Seams can be noticeable.
- Not as heat-resistant as granite, crushed glass, or concrete.
4. Marble in master bathrooms.
Homeowners love the timeless beauty of marble slabs or marble tile in their bathrooms today for floors, shower walls, and other walls, as well. Marble has been used for thousands of years for its durability, beauty, and water-resistant properties.
Pros of Marble
- Adds value.
- Gorgeous.
- Waterproof (when sealed properly).
- Easy-to-clean.
Cons of Marble
- Requires sealing yearly.
- Can stain if not cleaned regularly.
- Can be scratched.
5. Large Master Bedrooms with Tray Ceilings, Sitting Areas, or Morning Rooms.
Homeowners are looking for elegant master bedrooms that have both style and function. Lighted tray ceilings provide a lovely touch of class and accent lighting to boost the romance of your space.
An oversized bedroom allows for a couch and two chairs, creating a cozy private sitting area to enjoy away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the household.
Others prefer a morning room as part of the master suite that faces east and provides a glorious view of the morning sun with walls of windows on three sides.
6. Dedicated home offices (or dual offices) with custom built-ins.
A beautiful, functional home office is an absolute must-have. Many people are working from home now and need to have a professional, separate area for work for one or two adults.
People also want dedicated study spaces for their children, in case they need to do virtual learning or homeschooling during the day or for a homework spot in the evenings.
7. Dedicated home gyms.
Home workout areas are more popular than ever. We are seeing homeowners design rooms for home exercise equipment, yoga, weight training, and more.
Often a room over the garage or a room in a finished basement works well for a home exercise space. For very heavy exercise equipment, it can be best to have the home gym on a concrete floor.
8. Luxury laundry rooms with custom cabinets and patterned tiles.
Laundry rooms are getting a lot more attention now with people wanting larger, more functional, and more beautiful spaces. We are seeing bold wallpaper patterns and patterned floor tiles, in addition to boldly colored cabinets.
Many people also want countertops and a farmhouse sink in the laundry room to provide workspace for folding and a washing area for delicates.
9. Dual master suites:
Having two master suites in a home is always a popular choice that retains big-time resale value. We see people choosing one of these three options, primarily:
- Secondary bedroom or mother-in-law suite on the main level.
- Secondary master on the upper floor near young children’s rooms.
- Basement millennial room with kitchen for older children to have an apartment.
Multigenerational homes are becoming more common as families help each other with childcare, eldercare, chores, and expenses. There are a lot of advantages to having more adults from the family under one roof.
10. Outdoor kitchens
Outdoor kitchens are soaring in popularity as people enjoy getting together outside all year-round. Having an additional kitchen area outside helps minimize the foot traffic in and out of the house. It’s perfect for fish fries, steaks, or burgers.
Most people center the outside kitchen around a grill with a built-in custom counter, sink, and cabinets. Sometimes, we also see people include an under-the-counter fridge or even a dishwasher outside.
11. Wet bars/dry bars
Most of the homes we build have wet bars or dry bars in them. Wet bars are the most requested with bar sinks, wine/beverage coolers, ice makers, custom cabinets, and countertop space for pouring and mixing drinks.
12. Butler’s pantries
Butler’s pantries are making a huge comeback in luxury homes today. Homeowners often include beverage coolers or ice makers in them. They also have plenty of custom cabinet space for storing fine china, glassware, extra table linens, and overflow storage for the pantry, if needed.
13. Pot-fillers over the stove
For those who love to cook a lot but don’t enjoy lugging a large pot full of water back and forth from the sink to the stove, a pot-filler is just the luxury item for you. A pot-filler can provide water directly above the stove through a specialized, foldable faucet.
When you aren’t using the filler, you fold it out of the way against the backsplash over the stove. When you need it, you simply extend it out and fill water into your large pot. It makes life easier.
Ready to build your own luxury home in the Lexington, SC area?
We can help! We are an award-winning builder that builds luxury custom homes all over the Midlands of South Carolina. If luxury is what you want, we can deliver your dream home.
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