Dream house, we all have a mental list of what our’s would have if and when we build one. I recently polled my Instagram audience to see what their dream house must haves were. From their suggestions, I compiled the ultimate must have list for your dream house! I hope this list gives you ideas and inspiration for your own dream house. Whether you are remodeling, in the building process or simply day dreaming, use this list to help you create the home of your dreams!
I broke down the must haves into categories to help you navigate through the list more easily. Have fun designing your dream home!
If you want to follow along on our family’s dream home journey, you can read this post about our dream home, follow me on Pinterest (where I share tons of dream house inspiration) or follow me on Instagram where I share our building journey.
Exterior
Exterior Must Haves
Wrap around Porch
Porch Swing
Screened in Patio
Covered Patio
Gas Lanterns
Pool House with Cabana boy (this made me laugh out loud)
Infinity Edge Pool
Spa
Waterslide
Outdoor Shower
Outdoor Bathroom or Easy Access to one
Storage Closet for Pool Toys and Outdoor Cushions
Bocce Ball Court
Mini Golf Course / Putting Green
Drinking Fountain
Tv
Large Entertaining Area
Kitchen
Pizza Oven
Fireplace
Hammock
Greenhouse
Cut Flower Garden
Vegetable Garden
Hose Bibs with Hot and Cold Water
Good Lighting
Outdoor Electrical Outlets on all Corners of the House
Outdoor Central Vac
Wireless Security Cameras
Outdoor Stairs to Outdoor Second Story Deck
Courtyard
Governor’s Driveway
Paverturf.com (artificiale turf that goes between large pavers)
Porte Coche
Balcony off Second Floor Window
Interior Details
Family Room Sources Here 
Game Room Sources Here
Interior Must Haves
10′ Ceilings (minimum)
Coffered Ceilings
Tall Baseboards
Wood Floors Throughout
Gorgeous Stair Railing
Double Staircase
Wainscoting
Crown Molding
Lots of Trim Work
White Walls
Brick Walls
Walk in Closet in every Bedroom
Lots of Natural Lights
Large Windows
Oval Window
Window Seat
Arched Doorways
Transoms above each Doorway
French Doors / with Transom Windows
Wide Doors
Wide Hallways
Handicap Accessible Features
2 Story Foyer
Accordion Doors that Open up to the Outside
Large Family Room, Kitchen, Dining Room for Family Gatherings
Designer Pet Door
Elevator
Central Vac
Remote Control Blinds
Tankless Water Heater
Basement
Indoor Tramp
Luggage Closet
Fireproof Closet for heirlooms
Wall Safe
Secret Room
Hidden Passageway
Hidden Gift Closet
Hidden Storage in Doorways
Hidden Step Drawer at the Bottom of the Stairs for Shoes
Electrical
My Office Sources Here
Electrical Must Haves
Wall Plugs with Phone Chargers
USB Chargers in Drawers
Floor Plugs
Mantel Outlets
High Exterior Outlets for Christmas Lights
Outlets in Closets
Speakers throughout the House for Music
Intercom
Beautiful Chandeliers (some of my favorite chandeliers here)
Dimmers for all Chandeliers and overhead lighting
Lights Controlled by Phone
Small Can Lights (on dimmers)
Keyless Entry with Phone
Kitchen
Kitchen Sources here
Kitchen Must Haves
Large Island
Drawers in Islands
Double Island
Marble Countertops
Waterfall Countertop
White Cabinets
Inset Cabinets
Soft Close Cabinets
Pretty Hardware (My Favorites here)
Huge Dish Cabinet with Glass Doors
Kitchen Linens Closet
Farm Sink
Sink Grates
Window above Sink
Pullout under Sink for Cleaning Supplies
Hot Water Faucet
Reverse Osmosis Water System
Ice Maker
Hidden Microwave
2 Dishwashers
La Canche or La Cornue Range
Custom Hood
Double Oven and 6 Burner Stove
Warming Drawer
Combi Steam Oven
Pot Filler (My Favs here)
Built in Coffee Machine (like Miele)
Wine Refrigerator
Hidden Outlets
Hidden Paper Towel Drawer
Pot Drawers
Dish Drawers with Peg Dividers
Spice Drawer
Knife Drawer
Cookie Sheet Cabinet
Felt Lined Drawer for Silver
Appliance Cupboard
Pullout Shelves
Cutting Board with Hole above Trash
Hidden Trash
Recycle Trash
Electrical Dustpan
Walk in Pantry or Butler’s Pantry
Butler’s Pantry
Costco Door from Pantry to Garage for easy unloading
Motion Light
Sink
Second Fridge
Hidden Door to Pantry
Dog Feeding Station
Lots of Storage
Dining Room
Dining Room Sources Here
Dining Room Must Haves
Fireplace
Closet for Linens and Dishes
Large for Family Gatherings
Speakers for Music
Laundry Room
Laundry Room Sources Here
Laundry Room Must Haves
Closet for Vacuum, Mop and Broom with Outlet
Gift Wrap Station
Dog Wash
Dog Feeding Station
Built in Dog Hairdryer
Dum Waiter to Upstairs Bathroom or Bedroom
Laundry Shoot
Built in Drying Racks
Folding Counter or Island
Linen Closet
Laundry Room on Each Floor
Mud Room Must Haves
Lockers for each Child
Storage Shelves for Shoes
Brick Floors
Mirror
Master Bedroom
Master Bedroom Sources Here
Master Bedroom Must Haves
On Main Floor
Tall Ceilings
Fireplace
Balcony or Private Patio
Ascending and Descending TV at Foot of the Bed
Mini Fridge
Private Sitting Room Attached
Access to Outdoor Jacuzzi
Closet Details Here
Master Closet Must Haves
Large Walk in
His and Her Closets
Washer and Dryer
Shoe Wall
Rotating Shoe Rack
Ironing System
Dressing Room
Sunglass Drawer
Jewelry Drawer
Mirrored Closet Doors
Luxurious Carpet
Chandelier
Master Bathroom
Master Bathroom Details Here
Master Bathroom Must Haves
Heated Floors
His and Her Toilets
Bidet
Steam Shower
Rainfall Shower Head
Vintage Looking Faucets
Foot Niche in Shower for Shaving
Makeup Counter or Vanity
Drawer with plugs for toothbrushes and curling irons
Lots of Storage
2 Sinks
Freestanding or Clawfoot Tub
Warming Rack for Towels
Secondary Bathrooms
Bathroom Details Here
Secondary Bathroom Must Haves
Built in Hampers or Access to Laundry Shoot
Outlets in Drawers for Toothbrushes
Window
One for every Bedroom
High Counters
Garage Must Haves
Recycling Center
4 Car Garage
Lift System to Storage or Attic
Extra Tall Garage Doors
Epoxied Floor
Bike Storage
Custom Cabinets for Storage
Door to Backyard
Other Dream Spaces
Home Gym Details Here
Other Rooms to Consider Adding to your Dream Home
Home Office
Library with Built in Bookcases
Prayer Room
Separate Guest House
Loft for Teens
Home Gym
Theater Room
Sport Court
Silver Closet
Christmas Closet
Dream Locations
Dream Locations
Ocean Front
Mountain Views
Cul da Sac
On a Golf Course
Close to Family
Dream Services
House Keeper
Gardener
Chef
Chauffer
Hairstylist
Masseuse
Well that was fun! A girl can dream right?! Thank you so much for all of your brilliant ideas on must have features in your dream house! I hope this helps build the house of your dreams!
This was so much fun to read through! Gave me so many inspiring ideas for our future dream home. Thank you for putting this together, and I am truly excited to watch your dream home come to life
Yay! Thank you so much! You are the sweetest! xoxo
Wow! This was such a great idea to have a blog post of. So many great ideas which I would have never thought of, yet were many that would interest me. Thank you for compiling this. I hope to one day build again. There is always something you would do different yet so many the same. Thanks again !!
Thank you Doris! I hope when you build this list is helpful to you! xoxo
We just built our home and wish I had this for a reference. Luckily, we had a wonderful interior designer that advised us to incorporate many of these items. I would add to the garage list, to install electrical outlets to charge cars. This needs a particular kind of outlet. Many of the new cars are going to need this feature or you may have a guest that will need it for their cars. It is cheeper to put this in during the building stage. Also, we opted for an all-season room instead of a traditional deck. We still have a small outdoor barbecue deck but the all season room allows us to enjoy “the outdoors” all year long.
Oh what a great idea! Thank you for sharing! xoxo
Hi, hope you are doing good this Sunday.
I’m catching up on my blog reads. I have a question,
what room is that pictured (the picture above the Gym picture)?
Do you have 3 tvs? Is this a movie theater room? Or a TV sports room?
This is the first time I’m seeing this room so I have lots of questions.
I look forward to your reply.
Hi Mimi,
That is our kid’s game room. They play video games, watch sports, movies, etc in there. I have a full blog post on it here…https://randigarrettdesign.com/transitional-family-game-room-reveal-3/
What kind of trees are in tour back yard for privacy??
They are ficus trees. xo