More Than a House: Custom Home Features That Elevate Everyday Living

How today’s buyers are designing their dream homes

September 15, 2025

Expansive sliding doors steal the spotlight in this lakeside home by Interior Impressions, TEA2 Architects, and Kootenia Homes. The space seamlessly connects indoor and outdoor living spaces.

A custom home isn’t just a house—it’s a chance to create spaces that match your passions, from indoor sport courts and high-tech golf simulators to serene spa zones and tucked-away sculleries. This tailored approach is one of the best parts of choosing custom, and Tim Forsberg, vice president of Boyer Building Corp., can speak to it well. “It’s really about how a house caters to a specific [buyer],” he says. “A house can operate and function just fine, but [custom building] is about the additional features we put in that fit their lifestyle.” These added amenities often come to fruition through big splurges, functional layouts, and high-priority features that dabble into the realm of luxury.

Sometimes it’s the more subtle details—finishes, woodwork, or concrete—that distinguish a home. “It’s important to consider the products your home is built from,” says Donella Olson, founder and principal of concierge remodeling firm Two Island Design Build. “Think reinforced concrete, engineered lumber, high-performance windows and doors, weather barriers, insulation, and optimized mechanical systems.”

Wall-paneled millwork and wallpaper also can add dimension and character. “There is a greater appreciation of the architectural details we saw in homes built 80 years ago,” says Amy Leferink, founder and principal designer at Interior Impressions. “The use of rich woods for millwork, stairways, cabinetry, and paneling has made a comeback, and I’m here for it!”

An inviting patio by Yardscapes Inc. serves as a go-to spot for outdoor entertaining in comfort and style.

According to Forsberg, audiovisual (AV) systems are another big-ticket item homeowners are splurging on. Integrating AV or smart-home technologies certainly comes with a cost, but its convenience and sophistication are invaluable. Forsberg explains, “You can spend $35,000 or $100,000 on audiovisual depending on if you want to include mood lighting, theater speakers, or full-home connectivity.”

Meanwhile, sculleries or butler’s pantries secluded from the main kitchen allow homeowners to prepare food separately from an entertaining space. According to Leferink, “Many homeowners are creating what is, essentially, a second kitchen [so] the main kitchen can look beautiful and pristine at all times.”

For wellness-focused homeowners, saunas and steam showers are critical splurges that tap into relaxation and ultimate respite. Olson explains, “Not only do they add elegance and elevate experiences, but they also are powerful detoxifiers that enhance health and wellness.” These features transform everyday routines into restorative rituals and reflect a growing desire to bring spa-like serenity into the home.

Sculleries are an increasingly popular request, as showcased in this Boyer Building Corp. project, where even the family dog has a spot to relax and stay close
during meal prep.

But at the end of the day, smart and thoughtful design begins with a layout that works for everyday living—whether it’s open and airy, purposefully defined, or crafted for flexibility, flow, and everyday ease. Although closed-concept floor plans with separate, private spaces are growing increasingly popular, Forsberg still finds the open-concept plan to appeal to homeowners because the “the kitchen becomes part of the entertaining area and meeting space.”

Layouts that blend indoor and outdoor spaces also are trending—seasonal porches and retractable windows allow homeowners to enjoy outdoor living (even in the Midwest). Forsberg says, “In most of our designs, people are trying to tie in the outside to gain extra square footage and spend more money on porch areas as auxiliary spaces for entertaining.”

That’s why pouring funds into landscaping is equally worth considering, especially entertainment features such as outdoor pools, fire pits, and large patios. David Kopfmann, founder and lead designer at Yardscapes Inc., believes retractable screens are worth the investment, too—especially in Minnesota weather. “They allow flexibility to still have an indoor-outdoor feel, but they keep the bugs out,” he says. For an added indulgence, Kopfmann says including outdoor lighting “accentuates your landscaping and home in the evening and provides security as well.” Luxury landscaping completes the picture—blending beauty, function, and curb appeal to create outdoor spaces that feel as elevated and intentional as the homes themselves.