15 Must-Have Features in a New Home… or Just Expensive Extras?

Building our new home has sent me down more research rabbit holes than I can count. Along the way, I’ve discovered so many home features and products that had me questioning, “Is this a brilliant idea… or a completely unnecessary extra?” Some made it straight into our plans, others had me on the fence, and a few felt more like pure luxury than necessity.

If you’re building or renovating, here are 15 features that caught my attention… some intriguing, some divisive, but all worth a closer look. I’ll let you be the judge of which ones are must-haves and which ones you could happily live without. (This post includes commissionable links; for more information, see my full disclosure statement {here})

1. Hidden Laundry Drying Racks (Dryaway)

DryAway drying racks had been on my radar well before we started planning our new home. They’re a series of laundry drying racks that are installed inside open cabinetry and slide out whenever you need to air-dry clothes:

They’re available with 2, 4, 6, or 8 drying frames, and while the cabinet is typically left open, you can also add a vented cabinet door if you prefer the look, such as in this Raleigh showhouse:

It’s a clever way to air-dry clothes without sacrificing valuable counter or floor space.

My verdict: Made the cut ✅ This was one of the easiest decisions we made for our new home. We air-dry a lot of our clothes, and it will be so nice to replace our bulky folding drying rack with a dedicated drying space that’s always there when we need it and tucks neatly away when we don’t.

Another cool laundry option to look into is Laundry Jet, a powered laundry chute that sends dirty clothes from bedrooms and bathrooms straight to the laundry room through hidden tubing!

2. Powered Laundry Chute

Another laundry feature that grabbed my attention is Laundry Jet, a powered alternative to a traditional laundry chute. Instead of carrying overflowing laundry baskets through the house, you simply open a port in a bedroom, bathroom, or closet and feed your dirty clothes into it. Powerful suction then transports everything through hidden tubing straight to the laundry room, even in single-story homes where a traditional laundry chute isn’t an option.

My verdict: Skipping this one ❌ We actually had a traditional laundry chute in one of our previous homes, and I absolutely loved it. So I can definitely appreciate the convenience of a system like this. But now that Jeff and I are empty nesters, we simply don’t generate enough laundry for Laundry Jet to be worth the investment. If we were building this house while raising our girls, though, I’d be much more tempted.

3. Heated Tile Floors

Before we remodeled our Connecticut home, I thought heated tile floors sounded like one of those “nice, but unnecessary” luxuries. Then we installed Nuheat mats as part of our bathroom remodel, and I was completely won over. The heating mat is installed under your tile and is custom sized for your space, with warmth everywhere you want it and nowhere you don’t, such as beneath freestanding bathtubs and bathroom vanities:

Stepping onto a warm tile floor on a cold morning is a luxury that you really come to appreciate. One thing I hadn’t expected is that the heated floors not only felt warm underfoot, but also helped take the chill out of our bathroom during the colder months.

My verdict: Made the cut ✅ Heated floors were one of our favorite features in our last home, so even though we’re building in a warmer climate, they still earned a spot in our new build.

4. Built-In Wireless Phone Charging

I first came across built-in wireless phone charging at last year’s Raleigh Parade of Homes and thought it was a pretty clever idea. The charging pad is installed beneath a countertop or tabletop, so you can’t see it at all. You just set your phone on the designated spot (often marked by an illuminated rectangle), and it starts charging with no visible cords or charging pad.

One of the leaders in this technology is FreePower, whose hidden wireless charging systems have won multiple design and innovation awards. Their systems are geared toward luxury homes and custom installations, but there are also DIY-friendly options like InvisaCharge.

My verdict: Not for me ❌ I love the hidden, clutter-free look and can definitely see this being useful in a kitchen island, bedside table, or desk. But we tend to plug our phones in overnight and don’t often need to recharge them during the day. When we do, I prefer the flexibility of being able to charge my phone wherever I want instead of being tied to one designated spot.

5. Toe-Kick Vacuum

We installed a toe-kick vacuum in our last home as part of our kitchen remodel, and I found myself using it almost every day. Installed in the toe kick beneath your kitchen cabinets, it has a built-in suction inlet that you activate with the tap of your foot. Simply sweep crumbs and dirt toward the opening, and the vacuum sucks them into a bag hidden inside the unit – no dustpan required.

They’re also less expensive than you might think – mine was an earlier version of {this Sweepovac}.

My verdict: Skipping it this time ❌ I really loved having this in our previous kitchen, but since getting {this cordless Dyson vacuum}, I rarely sweep anymore (I just grab my vacuum instead). Because of that, I’ve decided to skip the toekick vacuum in our new home. But if you’re someone who regularly sweeps your kitchen floors, I think you’d love having one.

6. Retractable Screens

One feature on my must-look-into list while planning our new home was retractable porch screens. These motorized retractable screens stay completely hidden when they’re not in use, but with the push of a button, they lower to transform a porch or patio into a bug-free outdoor room without permanently blocking the view.

Living in North Carolina, where mosquitoes can quickly send you back inside, I think this is a features that could completely change how often we’d use our outdoor living space. The idea of enjoying dinner, morning coffee, or an evening outside without constantly swatting bugs (while still being able to retract the screens whenever you want an open-air porch) is a pretty compelling combination.

My verdict: Made the cut ✅ We decided to include retractable screens on the back porch of our new home because I genuinely think they’ll allow us to enjoy our outdoor living space so much more. Since the sun sets on the back of our house, we may even do a dual screen that includes a sun shade.

7. Whole-House Leak Detection

One feature that’s still on my research list is a whole-house leak detection system. These smart systems are installed on your home’s main water line and continuously monitor your home’s plumbing for leaks. If they detect a burst pipe or other major leak, it can automatically shut off the water supply to prevent water damage. Many can also send an alert to your phone if they detect an issue. One popular system is {this Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor & Shutoff}.

With how much damage even a small plumbing leak can cause, a system like this could definitely be a worthwhile investment, especially if you travel frequently.

My verdict: Maybe? 🤷‍♀️ The peace of mind is certainly appealing, but I’ve also come across reviews from homeowners who say their systems occasionally shut off the water in error (a few reviews said it happened while they were showering which wouldn’t be fun). I’d like to learn more about how often that actually happens, so if you have one of these systems, I’d love to know your experience!

8. Motion-Sensing LED Toe Kick Lighting

One feature I hadn’t considered until planning our new home is motion-sensor lighting in the toe kick beneath a bathroom vanity. These low-level lights automatically turn on when they detect movement, providing just enough illumination to navigate the room at night without having to flip on the overhead lights.

In new construction and remodels, wired LED light strips can be recessed into the cabinet but you can also DIY this on a dime with rechargeable motion sensor lights like {these} or battery powered options like {these}.

My verdict: Made the cut ✅ We decided to include motion-sensor toe-kick lighting in the primary bathroom of our new home because it’s one of those little luxuries I think we’ll appreciate every single day. And those middle-of-the-night bathroom trips definitely aren’t going to get any less frequent as we age! 😜

9. Staircase Lighting

Another lighting feature that made its way onto my radar while planning our new home is stair lighting. Small recessed lights installed along the wall next to the stair treads or in the stair risers softly illuminate each step after dark, creating a warm glow that’s both beautiful and practical, making it easier to navigate the stairs at night.

My verdict: Made the cut ✅ We decided to include stair lighting in our new home because it adds both ambiance and an extra layer of safety. Since we’re designing this to be our forever home, I also love that it’s a feature we’ll appreciate even more as we get older.

10. In-Drawer Outlets

One feature I already know I love is in-drawer outlets such as {this one by Docking Drawer}. They allow you to install electrical outlets inside a drawer, creating a hidden spot to power and charge everyday items while keeping cords and clutter out of sight. We had one in a kitchen drawer in our last home, and it was such a convenient way to keep phones, tablets, and other devices charging without leaving cords scattered across the countertops:

For our new home, I’m planning to expand on that idea by adding Docking Drawer outlets in several more locations. I’m especially excited about using {this Docking Drawer outlet} in a bathroom drawer to keep hot styling tools like a hair dryer and curling iron organized and ready to use, all while keeping the countertops clutter-free:

My verdict: Made the cut ✅ Having one in our last home completely sold me on the concept, so adding them to additional rooms was an easy decision. I’d love to hear from those of you who have them too… where have you found them most useful?

11. Built-in Dog Wash

Built-in dog washes have become one of the trendiest features in new construction. These elevated wash stations are typically installed in a mudroom or laundry room and make it much easier to bathe your dog, especially after muddy walks, beach trips, or rainy days. I had fun playing around with AI to create this rendering of a simple but beautiful dog wash station (complete with a Boston terrier, of course!):

My verdict: Skipping this one ❌ I think it’s a fantastic feature if you have larger dogs, but we’re small dog people and bathing them in the kitchen or laundry sink has always worked well for us. But if money and square footage were endless, I’d add one in a heartbeat!

12. Water Bottle Filling Station

Built-in filtered water dispensers are a feature that’s becoming more common in custom homes, especially mudrooms and home gyms. They provide chilled, filtered drinking water on demand, making it quick and easy to refill reusable water bottles before heading out the door or after a workout. One of the most popular options is {this Elkay Liv water dispenser}, which features a touchless design:

My verdict: Skipping this one ❌ I can definitely see how it could be useful, especially for large families who are constantly filling water bottles. But since we’re already planning to have filtered water through a beverage faucet at our kitchen sink, adding a separate water bottle filling station wouldn’t be worth the expense. If money were no object, I’d actually get {this Kohler Aquifer Beverage System} paired with {this beverage faucet}, which dispenses filtered ambient, chilled, hot, and sparkling water at the touch of a button:

13. Pull-Down Closet Rods

Another closet feature that’s been on my radar is pull-down closet rods such as {these}. Installed on higher hanging rods, they allow you to pull clothes down within reach and then push them back up when you’re done. They’re especially useful in closets with tall ceilings where upper hanging space might otherwise go unused. A common configuration is to have two drawers below and two hanging rods above, with the upper rod being a pull-down:

To access the upper rod, you simply grab the black handle hanging in the middle and pull it down. The rod rotates to an easy-to-reach height, giving you full access to everything on it.

My verdict: Maybe? 🤷‍♀️ Our closet design includes some tall hanging space, so pull-down rods are something we’re considering. I love the idea of making every inch of the closet functional, but I want to see how our final layout comes together before deciding if they’re worth adding.

14. Smart Toilet

When we first started planning our build, a smart toilet wasn’t anywhere on my radar. But because of Jeff’s frequent international business travel (where smart toilets are much more common), he put it on the must-have list for our primary bathroom.

I started researching the options and was surprised by how hard it was to find one with all the high-tech features we wanted that didn’t also look like it belonged on Star Trek. We ultimately landed on {this Kohler Claude toilet}, which I think strikes the perfect balance between modern technology and timeless design:

My verdict: Made the cut (thanks to Jeff!) ✅ I’ll admit, I’m still wrapping my head around spending this much on a toilet, but I’m also really curious to see if smart toilets live up to their hype.

15. Hidden Recessed Medicine Cabinet

One of the cleverest hidden storage ideas I’m considering is concealing a medicine cabinet behind framed artwork on the wall next to my bathroom vanity. Instead of a traditional mirrored medicine cabinet, a framed piece of art would swing open to reveal hidden storage for medications, toiletries, and other everyday essentials.

I’ve found several options from Fox Hollow Furnishings on Amazon {HERE}, including {this horizontal option}, which would allow you to create a stacked artwork look:

While Fox Hollow Furnishings has several sizes and frame finishes, I’d love to be able to choose my own unique frame, so I’ve also been considering DIYing one instead.

My verdict: Hopefully! ✅ It seems like this would be a relatively simple DIY project that could add a custom touch to our bathroom while creating a clever hidden storage solution. Stay tuned!

So what do you think? I’d love to know which of these features you would splurge on, which ones you’d skip, and whether there are any must-haves that didn’t make my list!

XO,