When building a custom home, there are many unique features and luxuries homeowners want to include. However, these additions can quickly add up in cost without careful planning and open communication with your builder.

Design elements like bringing nature inside, incorporating ceiling designs and adding electrical ideas can make the building process go more smoothly for everyone involved. Here are some of our top custom home ideas to consider!

Indoor Courtyards

Courtyards have been leveraged by a range of cultures for centuries, offering privacy and a connection to nature that is becoming increasingly important in our crowded and noisy world. Today, savvy home builders are once again using courtyards as a central design feature to meet homeowners’ lifestyle needs.

The best custom homes are built with a strong relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. A courtyard is one of the best ways to achieve this. Often located in the center of the house, a courtyard can be easily accessed from multiple rooms. The use of trees, water body, pergolas and colors can add to the beauty of the space as well as provide a sense of privacy. The courtyards can also be used as a contemplating space or an area where meditation takes place.

In addition to providing a visual focal point, a courtyard also allows the sun’s natural light to enter the interior of a home, enhancing its overall energy efficiency. Many custom homes that incorporate a courtyard will include large windows to allow the maximum amount of daylight to flow throughout the entire home. Some will even include the option for homeowners to open and close these large doors and expanses of glass from their smartphone app, further enhancing the sense of indoor/outdoor living.

Another benefit of the courtyard is its ability to provide separation and privacy within a floor plan. This type of spatial distancing is especially useful for spaces that need to feel separate from other rooms, such as home offices, guest rooms and fitness rooms. It’s also an effective way to add privacy to multigenerational house plans, where the children’s living quarters are separated from the parents’ bedroom and bath suite.

Depending on your style, the courtyard can be made to look as rustic or as contemporary as you want. If you prefer a more minimalist look, try incorporating a zen garden with gravel and a single tree or shrub. On the other hand, if you like a more tropical vibe, you may opt for more lush vegetation. Whatever your preference, the key is to create a courtyard that will complement your home’s interior décor.

Outdoor Living Rooms

Outdoor living rooms give you the opportunity to add a stylish, relaxing and multifunctional space to your garden that will be an extension of your home. They’re great for entertaining or simply soaking up the sun with a good book. Bringing your indoor style outdoors can be easier than you think thanks to a variety of weather-resistant furniture and accessories.

To make your outdoor living room feel like an inviting place to relax, you’ll want to start by choosing comfortable lounge seating and dining options. Bench seating is ideal for squeezing in a few bums for family meal times, while armchairs and coffee tables will give it a reading nook vibe. Layered rugs will keep toes cosy and help bring your outdoor design together.

If you have a back deck, patio or porch area that is partly sheltered by trees or other tall structures, consider adding a pergola-style structure to it to create an extra element of privacy. This will also provide a focal point, drawing the eye up to add height to your outdoor living area.

Another option to consider is a fire pit. Whether you’re planning a permanent feature or prefer to go for a portable version on wheels, a fire pit will instantly turn your outdoor space into an all-weather retreat for relaxing with the family. The warm glow from the flames will add to the ambiance and, once it gets dark, you can roast marshmallows for an added touch of cosiness.

The finishing touches can really help your outdoor space to feel like an extension of the inside of your home, so don’t be afraid to accessorise! A framed mirror leaning casually on a wood mantel can add an unexpected touch to your garden, while planters and vases can fill the air with colour and greenery.

Creating a comfortable and inviting garden room for lounging, eating and playing is a fantastic way to make your property stand out from the crowd. With a bit of inspiration and some clever ideas, it’s easy to transform any outside area into a luxurious addition to your home.

Sun Tunnels

A sun tunnel (also known as a tubular skylight) is an effective way to bring light into rooms and spaces of your home that don’t have access to natural light via windows or other sources. They redirect sunlight from a roof window through highly reflective tubing into your space. They’re a great alternative to traditional skylights and can be more cost-effective, depending on your installation needs (such as whether you want them to open/close or have blinds).

Bringing greenery into your home is another popular custom home idea that adds beauty and function. Indoor courtyards can be a serene place to read or study, and creating a spot where a tree could grow will help bring in some fresh air while adding a touch of originality to your floor plan.

If you’re building a new house with high ceilings, consider incorporating some lofty features like an arcade room or extended storage areas. These custom home ideas will help make your family and guests feel at home in a spacious new environment.

Alternative Materials

When it comes to building homes, homeowners have a lot of options to consider. The materials you choose will influence the overall look of your home, as well as the cost and construction time. Some materials aren’t as widely used, but can add a unique twist to your custom home design. With creativity from the designer and open-mindedness from the homeowner, these alternative materials can open up a world of possibilities for your new custom home.

Alternative construction materials are becoming increasingly popular as builders seek alternatives to wood framing due to rising lumber prices and material shortages. These building materials aren’t necessarily cheaper than wood, but they can help builders avoid the costly delays associated with lumber shortages.

Many of these materials are also environmentally friendly, and many of them are harvested in much less time than traditional woods. Bamboo, for example, can be harvested in just 3-5 years, making it an ideal choice for framing materials as opposed to traditional woods that can take decades to grow. Cork is another sustainable option that’s growing in popularity for flooring materials.

Other green home ideas include incorporating solar panels and energy efficient windows. These features can reduce your home’s energy costs, allowing you to save money on utility bills over the long term. You might even want to consider building with recycled materials, such as reclaimed wood or metal, to create a more eco-friendly and budget-friendly home.