5 Key Considerations When Building A Custom Home
When thinking about the build process, it’s important to prioritize your must-have features well in advance. Keeping this list and having this vision of how you want your home to look aesthetically and what features you need to make it function with your lifestyle will help ensure that you and the project team will remain on the same page and accommodate your wish list. In this blog, we’ll reveal our list of features that are most commonly requested by CM Ragusa clients, we hope that these features leave you feeling inspired as you plan your new home.
1. A Functional Layout
One of the primary focuses when planning a new home is the floor plan, or layout. We’re seeing a shift in the way that homes are designed, but most of the time clients prefer an open concept. How do you want each of the spaces to flow, and how do you envision yourself moving throughout your home? Your lifestyle and how you function throughout your day should be one of the deciding factors in deciding on the layout. You’ll most likely go through several variations of your floorplan, but having a general idea of how you want each of the spaces to flow into each other will make the decision process more streamlined between you and your builder.
2. An Office or Flex Space
A flex space or dedicated home office is a frequent request in many of our homes. The beauty of having a dedicated workspace is that it serves as a quiet and private space, ideal for being productive. Some choose to use a spare bedroom as an office, this multi-purpose space can work well for those occasional work from home days, and increase the function of your home. A dedicated workspace will also serve as a drop zone for you at the end of the workday, so when you arrive home you can keep all of your work essentials in a single space, eliminating the morning runaround.
3. Custom Storage
The functionality of your home is dependent on how it’s organized. Whether it’s custom cabinetry, built-ins, or closet organization systems. The way that you plan the storage within your home will help keep everything neatly organized and this will give you peace of mind. When you’re in the process of planning any sort of cabinetry, think about what you need to store in a space and how those needs could evolve over time, this way you have more than enough storage space to meet your needs now and well into the future. Details like custom built-ins add character to your home and are a popular way to elevate the look of a space. They’re a great way to keep mudrooms and entryways organized as well.
4. Outdoor Living Spaces
While the warm seasons are fleeting here in New England, the demand for more thoughtful outdoor spaces remains a top request by homeowners. Many choose to make the outdoor space they have available an extension of their main living spaces, offering plenty of space to entertain and enjoy the warmer seasons. Features such as an outdoor kitchen create a space to cook and dine al fresco, making this a perfect opportunity to create a true secondary kitchen, features such as fridges, sinks, and ice makers can assist in making the cooking and cleanup process similar to cooking in your main kitchen. Incorporating features like a seating area on the patio help once again to achieve that cozy, and inviting environment.
5. A Kitchen for Gathering
At the top of every homeowner’s priority list is the kitchen. It’s a space where we spend so much time and make so many priceless memories, so incorporating a thoughtful design in your new home is often at the top of the list. Here a thoughtful layout can make all of the difference, this is different for everyone. One of the many features that often creates a design challenge is deciding on whether or not to include an island or peninsula. This is a design choice that often dictates the flow of the space and will determine the greater layout. To maximize seating banquettes are another great option, and they also serve as a beautiful design element.
Last modified: December 16, 2025
