Hey, what's up, everybody? It's TJ with Sanctified Homes. Today, I want to discuss two often overlooked areas when building a new home that can add extra living space and functionality. You can maximize your home's potential without a huge investment by focusing on these spots. Let’s dive in!

1. Outdoor Living Spaces

When building a new home, many homeowners overlook the outdoor space. While you might already plan to include a deck or patio, it’s often a simple design with minimal thought given to expanding it. However, by slightly upgrading this area, you can add significant functionality to your home.

A larger concrete patio or a spacious deck allows you to create an inviting area for entertaining or relaxing with family. You can add comfortable seating, dining tables, or even outdoor kitchens. These spaces are perfect for summer barbecues or cozy autumn evenings around a fire pit. Depending on your location and climate, this can become an extension of your indoor living area, significantly increasing your usable space throughout the year.

In cooler or bug-heavy regions, consider adding a three-season porch with screen windows. This setup provides outdoor access while protecting you from the elements, letting you enjoy your space in comfort almost year-round. With just a few design upgrades, your outdoor space can become one of the most versatile areas in your home.

2. The Mudroom (or Family Foyer)

Most people are familiar with the concept of a mudroom—a small space where you drop coats, shoes, and other outdoor gear. But here at Sanctified Homes, we like to call it a family foyer because "mudroom" makes it sound messy and uninviting. This is another overlooked area where a little creativity can add major functionality to your home.

While many homeowners settle for a simple bench or a few cubbies in the mudroom, there’s so much more you can do with this space. By slightly expanding the square footage, you can turn it into a multi-purpose area without a huge increase in cost. Consider adding extra storage for coats, boots, and backpacks, or even a space for canned goods or pantry items.

For those interested in prepping or extra security, you can design this space to include a hidden safe room with a lockable door. Adding a bit more planning and imagination into the design of your family foyer can transform it into a highly functional area for your family’s everyday needs.

Conclusion

Outdoor living spaces and family foyers are two areas that can significantly improve the functionality and livability of your new construction home. With a bit of foresight and smart design choices, you can create spaces that are not only beautiful but incredibly useful. These additions don’t have to break the bank, but they can make a world of difference in how you use your home.

So, if you're planning to build or remodel, don't forget to take a closer look at these areas. For more great ideas and tips on home building, check out our resources at Sanctified Homes. And as always, don’t forget to raise your standard—we’ll talk to you guys soon!