25 Custom Home Upgrades to Consider when Building Your Home

The beauty of building a new home is that you can pick and choose your favorite features to put your own fingerprint on your new space. At Hanson Builders, we offer a wide variety of luxury home plans, each with their own optional features that our clients can freely choose from. And if you decide to design your home plan from scratch, the options are endless!

Below, we’ve compiled 25 custom home upgrades that we offer for both semi-custom and fully custom home builds. Check them out to discover your new favorite home features!

1. Wood flooring: Solid hardwood flooring is beautiful, sturdy, and comfortable to walk on. With proper care, it can last for decades, adding value and longevity to your home.

2. Extra windows: You can never have too much natural light in your home, which is why our home plans provide options for adding plenty of extra windows on every floor.

3. Sunroom: This is the perfect place to relax, entertain, and enjoy views of the outdoors. Your sunroom can be screened, three-season, or climate-controlled for four-season use.

4. Deck: Whether you want a place to grill, host friends, or just enjoy some sunshine and fresh air, a deck built off your kitchen or sunroom could be just what you need.

5. Transom windows: Add a touch more light and help your home feel open and airy with transom windows along the tops of your walls. We commonly offer these in great rooms.

6. In-law suite: Some of our home plans offer flex rooms that can be upgraded to an in-law suite, including a bedroom, full bathroom, and closet.

7. Ceiling beams and soffits: Simple ceiling upgrades like these can be used to add decoration, house recessed lighting, and set a space apart in an open floor plan.

8. Staircase railings: We can integrate a variety of open railing designs to add safety, accessibility, and decorative flair to your staircase.

9. Double oven: If you host many family gatherings or want to cook multiple dishes at once, then a double oven can save you time and make it easy to prepare large meals.

10. Larger kitchen island: If you have a large family and need some extra space for eating breakfast or snacks, then a larger kitchen island with legs and generous seating is for you.

11. Built-in cabinets: Looking for extra storage space in your great room, laundry room, or bathrooms? Built-in cabinets blend seamlessly with their surroundings and look beautiful.

12. Entryway bench or key drop: Upgrade your mudroom or front entryway with convenient places to sit, put on shoes, and drop your keys. We can even add hooks for hanging jackets and hats.

13. Garage size increase: Make extra room in your garage for large vehicles, extra storage, a workbench, or recreational vehicles like snowmobiles and ATVs.

14. Extra bedroom: Upgrade your upper-level bonus room to an extra bedroom! You can use this option to accommodate the size of your family or create a guest room.

15. Raised ceiling: Many of our home plans have the option of adding a raised or tray ceiling in the owner’s suite to make the room feel more spacious and airy.

16. Owner’s retreat: Upgrade the owner’s suite bathroom to an expansive owner’s retreat, with a larger walk-in closet and free-standing soaking tub.

17. Vaulted bathroom ceiling: Make your bathroom feel even more spacious and luxurious with a vaulted ceiling. Consider adding skylights as well!

18. Walk-around shower: Enjoy a luxurious, tiled shower enclosure. You can also add half-walls with glass, multiple showerheads, and shelves.

19. Shower bench: Whether or not you’re adding a walk-around shower, a shower bench makes bathing easier and more relaxing and adds extra storage space.

20. Makeup desk: Give yourself your own dedicated space to get ready for the day or evening with a makeup vanity in the owner’s bathroom.

21. Window benches: Upgrade your home’s bedrooms with window seats that allow for reading and relaxing. Window benches are perfect for kids’ rooms and can even have storage drawers.

22. Reading alcove: Maximize your use of space on the upper floor with a reading alcove near the top of the stairs or in the hall. We can also add a window bench here with room for pillows and blankets.

23. Fireplace: Warm up your family room or great room with a fireplace. This can make your space feel cozier and create the perfect atmosphere for family gatherings.

24. Recessed power outlet for TV: We can add the necessary ENT conduit in a recess of your wall to help your wall-mounted TV sit cleanly without exposed wiring.

25. Basement bar and/or peninsula: Make your basement the ultimate entertaining space with a wet bar, cabinets, and bar seating.

Choose Your Favorite Custom Home Upgrades with Hanson Builders

When you build your home with Hanson Builders, you decide how to make it unique. We know that every family has its own needs, rhythms, and preferences, which is why we encourage you to choose the features that make sense to you. Whether you choose some of the features listed here or have your own ideas, our team would love to help you integrate your desired custom home upgrades.

Contact Hanson Builders today to discuss your new home!