Having a family is great. But what’s even better is having a family home that is perfect for you and your loved ones. A place where you all feel comfortable, safe, and at peace. A place where you create lifetime memories.
But what really counts as the perfect family home? The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all. You don’t need a 5,000 sq. ft. palace to have a happy family. What matters most is creating an environment that suits your family’s needs and brings you together. Here, we’ll talk about how you can build the perfect family home and offer some tips on why having family is important.
Prioritize The Kitchen Space
The kitchen space underscores why having family is important. Most single people think little about this space as long as it serves its purpose. However, the kitchen is a central point in the house for families.
A family kitchen needs more than a gas or electric stove. It requires a spacious countertop for meal prep and space to gather for family meals. Not to mention enough storage space for pots, pans, utensils, and groceries. It needs cabinets and drawers that are easily accessible for children to help with cooking or cleaning.
If you are building a custom home, you are obviously in luck. You have the chance to design your family kitchen from scratch and plan the entire setup with your family’s needs in mind. Think about all the elements that make it functional. Consider the size, layout, and storage options to ensure it can accommodate all the electronics and features you need.
You don’t need to worry much if you buy an already-built home. You can still make your kitchen more family-friendly with remodeling and renovations, even if you have to work with what you have. That’s what kitchen renovation companies exist for. You can expect to pay between $12,000 to $60,500, according to 2024 Forbes estimates. However, the final cost will depend on how much space you have, labor cost, and the extent of the project.
Design a Welcoming Deck And Patio For Family Gatherings
Another reason why having family is important is the joy of spending quality time together. Yes, you live in the same space, share the same car, and eat the same food, but how do you spend time together? The TV room is great, but it would be much better to have a designated family space where you can catch up, chit-chat, and reflect on the day’s events. That’s where a deck and patio come in handy. A front deck is an excellent extension of your home that serves as a mini-hangout spot where you enjoy tea as you play a family game or read your favorite book.
The back patio is perfect for grilling, dining, and lounging with family. Considering that not many single-family homes in the US have a patio, yours would be among the unique ones. Statista estimated that about 215,000 homes had a back patio in 2022. If you install one, you can host all those family gatherings and reunions you have dreamed of. Most local building contractors can offer custom design options if you don’t already have one.
Install a Properly Measured HVAC System
A comfortable home underscores another reason why having family is important. Usually, you only think of a proper heating and cooling unit once you have a family. You want to create a cozy or cool environment for your kids to play in and sleep comfortably.
An HVAC is your best bet to keep your home temperature controlled and comfortable. It allows you to warm your home in winter and cool it in summer without those ancient wood stoves. A single unit is all it takes to keep your kids active and happy running up and down the entire house.
But while at it, the HVAC system you install must be a proper fit for your home. If it’s too small, it becomes overworked, leading to high energy consumption. And if it’s too big, it will consume more energy than necessary, leading to increased costs. These heating and cooling units are among the top consumers of power in most households, according to the Energy Information Administration.
For your monthly bill’s sake, you need an HVAC unit that corresponds to your home’s square footage. That requires the input of a professional technician. That way, you can avoid energy wastage that leads to expensive utility bills and frequent HVAC repair needs. According to Forbes, the whole process would cost anything from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the unit size.
Make Practical Bathroom Design
A spacious bathroom is another space that demonstrates why having family is important. You get to think of ways to make or remodel it to serve everyone in your family, something you wouldn’t normally do as a single person. When designing your family’s bathroom, you must consider how you will accommodate all the toothbrushes, hair products, towels, and toilet items for everyone in your household. As much as you can share it with your little ones, they will need one of their own at some point. So, you also have to think about privacy and accessibility for everyone in your family.
You can design a bathroom that suits adults and children, with features like a double sink, adjustable shower heads, and bathtubs. You can even add safety features like non-slip flooring for kids. Add storage solutions like cabinets or shelves to accommodate everyone’s toiletries, and you have the perfect bathroom for your family.
However, you can still do remodels or renovations if you already have a home bought from the real estate market. You can add minor changes like handrails for kids and elderly family members or go overboard with complete remodels to include individual shower doors, heated floors, and towel racks. According to Angie’s List, such remodels cost as little as $6,631 and as much as $17,551, depending on what you want.
Make Outside Living Safe and Comfortable
Outdoor playing and hangouts are another reason why having family is important. It’s easy to get lost in your career and the grind of everyday life and forget the little things that bring joy to life. But if you have a family, that can be a constant reminder to enjoy life and the small moments.
Your backyard is one of the best places to share moments with your loved ones. Here, you can ensure your lawn is well taken care of and has nicely cut soft grass that your kids can play on. You can add a few swings, slides for the little ones, or a pool for everyone. You can make simple additions, like installing proper lighting for late-night gatherings. If you wish to enjoy evening diners, a fire pit and an outdoor kitchen would be great additions.
However, the entire place needs to be safe. For instance, you must hire tree companies to trim and prune those overgrown Arborvitae or Oaks. You don’t want anything falling on your house, property, or even your loved ones. After that, have someone come regularly and check the structural integrity of your pool, the slides, and the swings.
Ensure Your Home Has Reliable Water Treatment Systems
While you care for your safety, the need for it is enhanced when you have a family. This sense of responsibility is among the top reasons why having family is important. You work hard to ensure that your family is safe and healthy, and while at it, you also get to take care of yourself.
There are many ways to keep your family safe and healthy, but one that is often overlooked is water safety. Contaminated water can cause serious health issues for your loved ones. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that around 7.2 million Americans get sick yearly from illnesses spread through water. It doesn’t have to be you or your family members.
Ideally, your well water or municipal water should be clean and safe to drink. But that’s not always the case. Most of it has microorganisms deposited from snow melt, drilled oil and gas, or old pipes. So, before you contract that well drilling business, you need to install a water treatment unit.
Look For Family-Friendly Flooring Ideas
Anyone with a family will tell you that walls and floors constantly get splashed with spills and stains. Kids and pets run all over the house and can create a mess in no time. Unlike you, they are less careful, and accidents are bound to happen. The last thing you want is to watch your kids crying due to falls caused by slippery floors.
Learning to consider the safety and comfort of others is another reason why having family is important. It gets you thinking of how you can improve your home for their benefit. That’s why you want something safe and comfortable for the whole family when choosing floors. You also want it to be durable and easy to clean.
It’s no secret that kids stain walls and floors at the slightest chance. While you can regularly clean or repaint walls, a stained carpet might be a problem. At some point, a floor scrubber won’t work. So, what is the solution yet your children must play?
Solid and engineered timber or stone flooring are great options. They are durable, easy to clean, and less slippery. Polished concrete and tiles also make great floors for families with kids. You can also use other non-conventional materials such as cork, rubber, and coir. However, if you want to go for carpets, remember that polypropylene carpets are dirt-resistant.
Opt For Durable Asphalt Paving For Driveways and Play Areas
As a family, you are bound to have multiple cars and bikes, and your kids will definitely want space to ride their scooters or play with outdoor toys. You don’t want them going onto the street, but at the same time, you don’t want them riding the bikes on the lawn. You need a driveway and play area that can withstand all the traffic.
The best material for such areas is asphalt. It is robust, durable, and can last for 15-30 years, according to Angie’s List. Asphalt paving can handle all kinds of weather conditions without cracking or buckling. Plus, it’s easy to clean.
What’s more? Asphalt looks neat and presentable. Rarely will you find algae or moss growing on it. When installed well and with proper maintenance, it should offer an even surface that is not slippery.
Invest in a High-Quality Septic System for Family Health
Very few times have you thought about where all the toilet waste goes. Unless there is an issue, most people tend to forget. Besides, the public sewer system and the city take care of that as you go on with your business. However, a septic system becomes a priority for one-fifth of U.S. households not connected to the public sewer system. That’s about 21 million families, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The fact that you have to think about the environment, the waste, and the health of others and yourself is another reason why having family is important. You don’t have to worry about any of those things with a septic system that works perfectly. It should be able to treat wastewater and retain solids before releasing the treated water back into the environment.
Investing in a high-quality decentralized system means regular septic tank services, proper use of the system, and being mindful of what goes down the drain. It also means ensuring proper installation and regular inspections to detect potential issues. According to Forbes, a well-maintained septic system can last for 20-40 years, depending on several factors.
Incorporate Large Windows for Natural Light
Energy conservation makes little sense when paying only $44.73/month. However, when you have a family of three or more, you notice that the energy bill is not as small. You start looking for ways to reduce costs while keeping your home warm and well-lit.
This energy conservation consciousness is another reason why having family is important. It brings the realization that you can incorporate large windows in your home design and reduce your reliance on light bulbs during the day. It might not seem like much, but it serves more than just lighting purposes.
Large windows let in natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for your family. They also offer great views of the outdoor landscape, making children more interested in what’s outside. The added bonus is that natural light improves mood and productivity, benefiting adults and children.
When designing your building plans, incorporate large windows in rooms, such as the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms. If you already have small windows, you can contact a window replacement company to upgrade to larger, energy-efficient ones. Your family will appreciate the aesthetic value as you get to cut down on your expenses.
A family home is not just about having a roof over your head. It’s about creating a safe and comfortable space for everyone to thrive in. So, when making decisions, consider how everyone will fit in.