Residential Home Construction: 5 Ways to Optimize Energy-Efficiency, Ambience and Space

In residential home construction, it is all to easy to focus on building materials and external visual appearance, rather than honing in on the details. Yet, seemingly small details can have a substantial impact on the functionality, energy efficiency and cosmetic appeal of your home. Smart design choices early on will maximize ease of maintenance, optimize the overall usability of your space and reduce costs associated with the upkeep of your home.

Reflecting on these design details will ensure that dream home fulfills you and your family’s needs for decades to come. You can also maximize flow, comfort and organization in your home by creating in-home and outdoor storage areas; this simple, low-profile approach will help maximize the square footage that your living space provides.

Energy Efficiency

Each climate is unique; when planning your construction project, it is important to account for seasonal fluctuations in temperature. Those living in regions with four seasons and/or extreme fluctuations in temperature will want to take the steps necessary to ensure energy-efficient design choices.

Poor planning can lead to unevenly heated homes, and increased energy bills in the long run. Effective and efficient heating and cooling control are key to comfortable living and proper installation of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air condition) systems will ensure flexibility in heating and cooling different areas of your home.

Building Lots & Window Placement

Each building lot is unique: perhaps the land is uneven or irregular; maybe you are building on a slope. Or, perhaps your lot is modestly sized and has several neighbors. Lot size, shape and proximity to other homes are just a few aspects that you should consider during the initial construction planning phase.

You will also want to think about window size and placement; how much natural light do you want in each room, and how will the angle of the home and property affect indoor light and ambiance at different times in the day? Windows have a significant impact on the visual appearance your home, inside and out. Choose window location carefully; windows also frame your view of the outside world, including adjacent homes, streets and natural scenic elements.

Indoor Storage Systems

Closets and mudrooms.

These areas are just as important as your main living space: a reasonably-sized bedroom closet can minimize or even remove the need for bulky dressers and excess furniture. A well-designed closet will increase convenience and help you to keep clothing, coats, shoes and other items organized.

Incorporating a mudroom near or adjacent to the main entrance of your home will create an additional space for jackets, backpacks, shoes and other items that would otherwise add clutter to your living space. If the overall design of you home will not allow for a mudroom, you can also install discreet built-in storage systems along hallways and in otherwise unused areas in the home.

Optimizing Available Kitchen Space

Pantries and wine cellars are an excellent way to keep the supplies you need on hand, yet safely stowed out of the way. Incorporating these areas into your design plans will guarantee maximal maneuverability in your kitchen and allow you to maintain a sleek, clutter-free cooking environment.

Pantries.
Though a large kitchen can be luxurious, it is just as important to include a pantry setup for storage of basic dry and canned goods, backup supplies and excess cookware and bakeware. Beyond the convenience of backup food storage, a well-planned pantry will allow you to stock up on sale and bulk items, thus saving you money long-term.

Wine Cellar
For wine connoisseurs, a wine cellar provides an ideal space in which to securely house those precious bottles. Wine cellars ensure proper storage conditions and will allow your wine to remain exquisitely preserved in a humidity-controlled environment – that is, until the time comes to pop the cork!

Outdoor Storage

As you evaluate and calculate your overall space requirements, keep in mind that a garage, whether stand-alone or attached, can dramatically increase your property’s storage potential. A basic garage can accommodate vehicles, bicycles, tools, yard maintenance equipment and outdoor sports goods that are best kept out of the main home. Garages also create a space for general storage items that are used infrequently.

How Harkraft Can Help

At Harkraft, our expert builders have a sharp eye for the the nuances of energy-efficient, space-optimizing design. We provide free estimates and are eager to help you craft the ambiance that you want in your home.  We will strategize with you to optimize your available space and we specialize in closet and pantry systems, wine cellars, mudrooms and garage facilities, both attached and stand-alone. You can reach us at 763.544.4478 or toll-free, at 888.544.7111.