Lifestyle has become the main focus for homebuyers today; therefore, the more amenities a home offers, the higher the perceived value. Luxury items can range from surf pools to towel warmers in the bathroom and come in all price ranges. Adding a few luxury items will not only make your home more comfortable but can go a long way in impressing buyers and convincing them to pay list price when it comes time to sell. Even if you can’t afford a mansion, you can still enjoy many of the luxuries found in them. Modern mansions offer an array of technology driven amenities. Here are some of the indulgences you’ll find in today’s luxury homes.
1. Garage Turntables
You’ve probably seen these turntables in the showroom of automobile dealerships. The car sits on a platform that rotates. If you have a classic car, it’s a great way to show it off, but the platforms have found other uses that may contribute to safer driving. In homes where space is limited to turn around and the vehicle must be backed out onto the street, the turntables can turn the car to face the road. This can help prevent some objects from blocking the field of vision and make navigating into traffic less hazardous. The garage turntables can be used inside or out. You can purchase an inexpensive model for around $8,400 or a top of the line version for approximately $40,000.
2. Indoor/Outdoor Rooms
The recent trend of combining indoor and outdoor space has led to the creation of seamless transitions from the interior of the home to outdoors. Glass walls that can be slid back and hidden from view as well as open air rooms make this possible. Here, the homeowner can relax and enjoy the view of the ocean front or gaze at the stars each night. They also provide an outstanding venue for entertaining. Many include outdoor kitchens, bars or fire pits and decorative features such as fountains, waterfalls or gardens. Furnishings may range from patio furniture to more formal sofas and chairs. Plush throw pillows add comfort to the casual atmosphere.
3. Spa Bathrooms
Luxury homeowners want resort-style bathrooms that convey a spa-like atmosphere. Elements that present a natural feel such as stone and wood accents are a few of the features you can expect to see. Skylights are also a favorite, since they fill the room with natural light. Most will have double vanities and a sunken tub, and walk in showers with seating are also common. Rain showers are especially refreshing, offering the delicate feel of a misting rain. When it comes to staying cozy and warm, the spa bathroom leaves nothing to chance. You’ll find heated towel racks, heated toilet seats and radiant heated flooring. They even bring in a fireplace.
4. Entertainment Rooms
Entertainment rooms come in all forms, including home theatres, game rooms, billiards rooms and sports bars. A luxury home may have one or all of them. Home theatres are always open and you never have to check for movie times. Moreover, there’s always something playing that you want to see. You can settle back in a comfortable chair and enjoy the movie on a wall sized screen and with a sound system that rivals any movie theatre. You’ll even find massive video screens out by the pool area where the homeowner can watch a movie while taking in some sun. The home theatre may double as a game room or an entirely separate area may be dedicated to arcade games, a bowling alley or skating rink. A home bar is the perfect man cave and provides an ideal place to invite friends for a game of pool or to watch the football game.
5. Wine Cellar
Wine cellars have become a popular feature in homes of all sizes. They provide a storage solution to preserve wine and enhance its flavor. Wine cellars can range from small counter top models that store a few bottles to a room sized space containing hundreds. In a luxury home, you can expect the wine cellar to be designed specifically for that purpose. The wine cellar is a temperature and humidity controlled area with UV free lighting. The shelves and racking systems are intended as much for display as for storage and are often custom built from high quality wood. The floors are usually marble or other natural stone. Most will also include a tasting room with comfortable seating, a table or bar and wine glasses.
6. Gym
A private gym is a major convenience for the luxury homeowner. After all, no one particularly likes driving to the gym, using sweaty equipment and showering with strangers. Health conscious luxury home owners avoid this by having their own. It also enables them to work their fitness routine into their schedule. A luxury home gym entails more than a weight bench out on the patio. The floors are typically wood or padded for high impact activities. You’ll find the same, if not better quality, treadmills, ellipticals and weight machines that are in the gym and usually a better quality television and sound system. Some will also include an indoor pool.
7. Designer Dressing Rooms
Large walk-in closets are transformed into designer dressing rooms in the luxury home. The new dressing rooms are taking on the design of posh lounges with designer sofas and breakfast nooks. Clothes and handbags are displayed in glass cases beneath accent lighting. Some have lights that come on automatically when the cabinet door is opened. More recently, a “virtual stylist” has been added, which consists of computer screens and iPads that allow people to work remotely with a stylist.
2 Point Highlight
Lifestyle has become the main focus for homebuyers today; therefore, the more amenities a home offers, the higher the perceived value.
Adding a few luxury items will not only make your home more comfortable but can go a long way in impressing buyers and convincing them to pay list price when it comes time to sell.
