Things you wished you had installed\ bought for your home

seannash

Hi,
I'm at the beginning of a complete renovation and extension of my house and in looking for recommendations for things you've done to make your day to day life easier.

For example I've decided to make the downstairs all one level so that I can have a roomba robot vacuum operate whilst in at work.
Also the washing machine and tumble dryer will be upstairs close to the bedrooms as this is where the wardrobes are.

So do you have any other recommendations.

PhoenixParker

Design your hall/entry point properly.
Adequate storage for everything in a hall can really help to keep the rest of the house clean and tidy. It also makes a great first impression.

Really think through your daily activities and your future daily activities to decide what you need space for and plan accordingly.

Water John

If buying, get a heat pump tumble dryer.
If renewing the floor, dig it up and put down plenty insulation.

Morini

Have some power points wired so that they can be turned off from a wall switch.

And +1 about planning entry point and hallway.

Cian_ok

A utility room, if you have the space.

Oh. And a cupboard big enough to take both a sweeping brush and the ironing board.

Water John

And sockets can now also have USB charge points.
If rewiring also put in Cat 5 or Cat 6.

wait4me

seannash wrote: »

Also the washing machine and tumble dryer will be upstairs close to the bedrooms as this is where the wardrobes are.

Have a think about the noise associated with both. Often best away from a sleeping area.

wait4me

Cian_ok wrote: »

A cupboard big enough to take both a sweeping brush and the ironing board.

A must if you have the chance

seannash

wait4me wrote: »

Have a think about the noise associated with both. Often best away from a sleeping area.

I don't plan on running these at night but yes it's something to consider alright. Thanks

seannash

Water John wrote: »

And sockets can now also have USB charge points.
If rewiring also put in Cat 5 or Cat 6.

Can you give me a brief explanation for the cat 5 or 6. Unsure what benefits this would have.

(Just saw they are ethernet connections, is there a benefit of having multiple ethernet points now that WiFi is somewhat reliable)

seannash

Morini wrote: »

Have some power points wired so that they can be turned off from a wall switch.

And +1 about planning entry point and hallway.

Definitely going to be doing this.Thanks

bonzodog2

A power point in the hall and landing is handy for hoovering, also, depending on your internet provider, for router etc. Vent for dryer if not a condenser. Light for attic. Maybe a switch downstairs for immersion if appropriate. Might you ever get an electric car?

seannash

bonzodog2 wrote: »

A power point in the hall and landing is handy for hoovering, also, depending on your internet provider, for router etc. Vent for dryer if not a condenser. Light for attic. Maybe a switch downstairs for immersion if appropriate. Might you ever get an electric car?

In terms of an electric car not for a few years and to be honest I think I'll be out of this house in about 6 years but there is no parking beside the house so I wouldn't be able to charge an electric car beside the house.

clappyhappy

A neighbour has recently redone their home and they have put their washer & dryer upstairs. Initially I thought oh that's handy, but now I think it's a bad idea, you'll be bringing baskets of wet clothes down stairs to hang out to dry, assuming that you wouldn't be using the dryer in good weather. Also if the filter gets blocked in the washing machine consider the water wetting the floor/ceiling, unless you have concrete floors upstairs.

seannash

clappyhappy wrote: »

A neighbour has recently redone their home and they have put their washer & dryer upstairs. Initially I thought oh that's handy, but now I think it's a bad idea, you'll be bringing baskets of wet clothes down stairs to hang out to dry, assuming that you wouldn't be using the dryer in good weather. Also if the filter gets blocked in the washing machine consider the water wetting the floor/ceiling, unless you have concrete floors upstairs.

Hadn't honestly thought about a water spills. We won't have a line to hang clothes out as we dont have any outside space but it's got me thinking perhaps the shed/store room should house these things. I was hoping to keep that space as an extra room but I may just have to concede I need it for utilities.

Addle

A pantry in/off the kitchen.

Delphinium

Try to picture yourself in the kitchen and work out how you operate as a cook. Plan worktops and storage for how you will use them. I hate the kitchen sink under a window as I use the utility sink and an outdoor garden one for any veg prep that is messy, and the dishwasher takes care of wash up. I love to bake facing the garden window and have a wide worktop there for rolling pastry etc. That is very personal to me. Also I knew where every plate, cup, and bowl, dry goods etc were going to be stored so micro planned the shelves and drawers. But by them I had a few kitchens and knew what I needed. If you are short on space use high and low spaces that are normally ignored. Enjoy the process and make it what suits you!
I will be downsizing shortly so will come here for your wisdom after your experience.

looksee

Have the deep, wide drawers in the kitchen rather than presses. Have a tall, shallow press for dry food storage - you will avoid losing things at the back. And make sure one shelf is high enough to keep cereal boxes and tall bottles on.

the_pen_turner

integrated car port so that you can get in and out of the car without getting wet. helps keep of frost too.

I would put the washing machines upstairs. but make the room a wet room incase of any leaks.
I would put the garage beside the house so that I could put a concrete roof and deck on instead of a pitched roof. I would put a false road side bit of roof so it looked like there was a normal roof . this would act as a wind breaker and give privacy. I would cover it off and use it for drying clothes or to sit out on for our 3 day summers

Dtp1979

From experience, a dryer upstairs is loud as hell. Also the washing machine. If it's concrete floors then you're ok. Leaking is definitely a possibility.
Put in plenty of sockets in the kitchen worktop area
Plan where your xmas tree is going and leave adaquate sockets for the lights etc. No more double adapter plugged in to double adapter.
Same scenario wherever your tv/sky/dvd etc is going.
I'd also like to know if cat 5 is necessary any more in the age of wifi.
If you've Limescale, put in a water Softner.

ouxbbkqtswdfaw

Put the kitchen at the front of the house if you can.

The high horse brigade

Run cat5 to ceilings for ceiling mounted wireless access points, the best place to put them.

Ubiquiti Networks UAP-AC-LITE WLAN Access Point https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016K4GQVG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_WkbYzbNRVNT7X

the_pen_turner

frame out the attic for a room and design the floor plan to allow for a proper stairs.
floor out some of the attic properly for storeing stuff

Lisha

Switch for outside lights in reach of master bed (in case of hearing noises.)

Tall larder press in kitchen

Tall press for brush/Hoover/ironing board

Solar panels for hot water.

Plug point above kitchen presses for xmas lights and have them turned on/off by switch at normal level.

Big utility with space (wet room ish) for wet coats sports gear etc)

Storage storage and more storage

the_pen_turner

put all plumbing and services into a small shallow series of presses in the back hall . everything is hidden and easily accessible . if you want a hot press put it somewhere else and use a radiator with trv

DublinDilbert

Dtp1979 wrote: »

From experience, a dryer upstairs is loud as hell. Also the washing machine. If it's concrete floors then you're ok. Leaking is definitely a possibility.
Put in plenty of sockets in the kitchen worktop area
Plan where your xmas tree is going and leave adaquate sockets for the lights etc. No more double adapter plugged in to double adapter.
Same scenario wherever your tv/sky/dvd etc is going.
I'd also like to know if cat 5 is necessary any more in the age of wifi.
If you've Limescale, put in a water Softner.

Some CAT5 is still handy, for getting from your modem to wifi access points and things like alarm panels, cameras. Wifi is grand for web browsing but always nice to have options. Definitely a run to the tv points, alarm, front door etc... can be terminated when/if required

Lisha

On/off switch for bedroom lights/lamp in reach of bed (I'm a lazy reader)

Lisha

A friend of mine has speakers In Each room that are operated locally or from s main panel. The ultimate bomb for parties also id use it to drown out noise of arguing children.

For a stairs I'd put the lighting in the treads.
Also we have stairs going to unused attic, which is spectacular for accessing storage.

heroics

DublinDilbert wrote: »

Some CAT5 is still handy, for getting from your modem to wifi access points and things like alarm panels, cameras. Wifi is grand for web browsing but always nice to have options. Definitely a run to the tv points, alarm, front door etc... can be terminated when/if required

This +1. Run cat6 to all your tv points and back to where your modem is. Wired is always more reliable than wifi

Simple example we recently got sky q multiroom in. Sky mini box was completely unreliable with wireless. Since wired it is rock solid.


Here is a simple comparison
https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.howtogeek.com/217463/wi-fi-vs.-ethernet-how-much-better-is-a-wired-connection/amp/

callaway92

Addle wrote: »

A pantry in/off the kitchen.

Something I’ll def have when building - separate to a utility room too

The high horse brigade

Run at least 2 cat 5 to your main tv points as you'll most likely have at least 2 devices needing Ethernet.

la ultima guagua

Minimize the volume of water that has to be purged when you turn on a hot water tap ( i.e. pay attention ot hot water pipe run lengths and diameters ). If regs allow consider using plastic for hot water piping.

wexfordman2

looksee wrote: »

Have the deep, wide drawers in the kitchen rather than presses. Have a tall, shallow press for dry food storage - you will avoid losing things at the back. And make sure one shelf is high enough to keep cereal boxes and tall bottles on.

Dont ever get corner units in the kitchen, they are useless.

wexfordman2

Dtp1979 wrote: »

From experience, a dryer upstairs is loud as hell. Also the washing machine. If it's concrete floors then you're ok. Leaking is definitely a possibility.
Put in plenty of sockets in the kitchen worktop area
Plan where your xmas tree is going and leave adaquate sockets for the lights etc. No more double adapter plugged in to double adapter.
Same scenario wherever your tv/sky/dvd etc is going.
I'd also like to know if cat 5 is necessary any more in the age of wifi.
If you've Limescale, put in a water Softner.

Always always go for wired internet instead of wireless as a fist choice. Wired is better, faster, cheaper, more reliable and future proof.

wexfordman2

Lisha wrote: »

A friend of mine has speakers In Each room that are operated locally or from s main panel. The ultimate bomb for parties also id use it to drown out noise of arguing children.

For a stairs I'd put the lighting in the treads.
Also we have stairs going to unused attic, which is spectacular for accessing storage.

Don't install any electronic hardware into the walls or ceilings of your house. Electronics will not last as long as your walls, and you will end up filling the holes they leave behind after they die in a few years.

The worst place to put speakers are in a ceilings the second worst place is in a wall.

Multiroom music can be done using speaker systems like Sonos, or the new Google home devices.


Wire for a set of speakers outside too, and make sure you out some electrical sockets outside.

the_pen_turner

la ultima guagua wrote: »

Minimize the volume of water that has to be purged when you turn on a hot water tap ( i.e. pay attention ot hot water pipe run lengths and diameters ). If regs allow consider using plastic for hot water piping.

some people put in a full circuit with the holt water that is pumped around all the time so it is always hot . then you will only have cold water in each leg which would be very little.
if you ran this on a solar powered pump it would be great

Suckit

All mentioned
Wireless access points are definite as so much rely on them now and more will.
Cat 5 or 6 definite too.
Tall shallow press/cupboard for dried food (or tall with access to either side).
I would not be keen on the washer/dryer being upstairs unless it was a concrete floor or soundproofed, as unavoidable things can happen. Breakdowns, flooding, needing clothes early in the morning etc..
Some pre-wired speaker ports, and enough sockets around the house, USB ports with some sockets.
(To date, wireless speakers are nowhere near as good, and the intrusive Amazon/Google gadgets are useless).

Not mentioned (that i noticed)
Recessed bathroom cabinet.
Water syste/tank with filter if you are a new build (look into it even if you are not)
A small but not tiny room for relaxing or concentrating.

jca

Lisha wrote: »

A friend of mine has speakers In Each room that are operated locally or from s main panel. The ultimate bomb for parties also id use it to drown out noise of arguing children.

For a stairs I'd put the lighting in the treads.
Also we have stairs going to unused attic, which is spectacular for accessing storage.

Jesus your place sounds more like a night club than a family home..

jca

wexfordman2 wrote: »

Don't install any electronic hardware into the walls or ceilings of your house. Electronics will not last as long as your walls, and you will end up filling the holes they leave behind after they die in a few years.

The worst place to put speakers are in a ceilings the second worst place is in a wall.

Multiroom music can be done using speaker systems like Sonos, or the new Google home devices.


Wire for a set of speakers outside too, and make sure you out some electrical sockets outside.

What's with all the speakers? Are we gone back to the 70's? Everyone uses headphones now.

Lisha

jca wrote: »

Jesus your place sounds more like a night club than a family home..

Ha

My house doesn't have wired speakers or lights on the stairs.

I've seen stair lights in other houses and the owners found those invaluable when the were walking the stairs with small babies.

Question was what would I do if I could again that I didn't do the first time. I'd prob still not afford them but they would go on my wish list anyway.

wexfordman2

Suckit wrote: »

All mentioned
Wireless access points are definite as so much rely on them now and more will.
Cat 5 or 6 definite too.
Tall shallow press/cupboard for dried food (or tall with access to either side).
I would not be keen on the washer/dryer being upstairs unless it was a concrete floor or soundproofed, as unavoidable things can happen. Breakdowns, flooding, needing clothes early in the morning etc..
Some pre-wired speaker ports, and enough sockets around the house, USB ports with some sockets.
(To date, wireless speakers are nowhere near as good, and the intrusive Amazon/Google gadgets are useless).

Not mentioned (that i noticed)
Recessed bathroom cabinet.
Water syste/tank with filter if you are a new build (look into it even if you are not)
A small but not tiny room for relaxing or concentrating.

Sorry, but how exactly would speaker ports work ? Wired where, back to what, in a local or centralised location ? What device would you suggest putting them in to, what sources can the feed from and how do you control them ?

And the best wireless speaker system is Sonos, with excellent features and sound quality, and no real requirements to hardwired into your house.

I've had Sonos for prob ten years, but recently replaced them with Google home speakers, alos with excellent sound quality (albeit not quite up to the standard of Sonos).

The high horse brigade

wexfordman2 wrote: »

Sorry, but how exactly would speaker ports work ?

And the best wireless speaker system is Sonos, with excellent features and sound quality, and no real requirements to hardwired into your house.

I've had Sonos for prob ten years, but recently replaced them with Google home speakers, alos with excellent sound quality (albeit not quite up to the standard of Sonos).

+1. Especially now that the market is seeing Google assistant on third party portable speakers like Anker, Sony etc. Only put pre wired ports in the living room for surround sound. Everywhere else just use wireless speakers.

wexfordman2

The high horse brigade wrote: »

+1. Especially now that the market is seeing Google assistant on third party portable speakers like Anker, Sony etc. Only put pre wired ports in the living room for surround sound. Everywhere else just use wireless speakers.

Yep, pre wired speakers for surround sound, and that's it, everything else plan for "smart speakers"


Also, ensure your heating system is smart also.

Ursus Horribilis

Would love it if my living room was at the back of the house where it's more private. I rented a house that had two sitting rooms and loved that the back one was a cosy bolthole.

JonnyM

Install an insinkerator for food waste disposal.

With all the talk of bin charges etc well worth it imo.

jca

JonnyM wrote: »

Install an insinkerator for food waste disposal.

With all the talk of bin charges etc well worth it imo.

Now that's a great idea, certainly better than speakers speakers speakers..

jca

Lisha wrote: »

Ha

My house doesn't have wired speakers or lights on the stairs.

I've seen stair lights in other houses and the owners found those invaluable when the were walking the stairs with small babies.

Question was what would I do if I could again that I didn't do the first time. I'd prob still not afford them but they would go on my wish list anyway.

I know I was only joking you. I've seen people build houses that were all for the kids, they aren't kids for long and the house looks a bit stupid when they grow up.

Lisha

jca wrote: »

Now that's a great idea, certainly better than speakers speakers speakers..

Or a glitter disco ball?

Pkiernan

JonnyM wrote: »

Install an insinkerator for food waste disposal.

With all the talk of bin charges etc well worth it imo.

Thought these weren't permitted under Irish regs.

Exit. I was wrong.

jca

Lisha wrote: »

Or a glitter disco ball?

Now we're really hitting the 70's.. Starting to resemble my hippy parents place now( built in the late 60's early 70's) it's only recently the pub type front door was replaced with something that actually kept the rain out nevermind the wind..

jca

Pkiernan wrote: »

Thought these weren't permitted under Irish regs.

Regs? Regs? What regs? We're imagining here, away with you and your reality!!