When it comes to building a custom home, the fourth time around gives you the chance to reflect on what truly worked, and what didn’t. After living in our last custom build and loving so many aspects of it, there are a few custom home features we knew we wouldn’t change. In fact, we’re recommitting on these favorites because they delivered both form and function in a way that really elevated our daily life.
Here are five custom home features we’re keeping from our last build, with a few exciting twists for this next chapter.
Clopay Garage Doors
When it comes to curb appeal and durability, Clopay garage doors were a major win in our last home. We chose their Canyon Ridge style, which offered that beautiful carriage-house look with a faux wood finish, and we couldn’t have been happier. Beyond the product itself, Clopay was a fantastic company to work with: reliable, professional, and super helpful throughout the process.
For this new custom home, we may stick with the same door style, but with a subtle design twist. We’re planning to paint the garage doors to match the home’s exterior instead of using the faux wood finish. It’s a cleaner, more modern look that will still showcase the beautiful design of the doors while better blending with the overall color palette of the home.
💡 Custom home feature tip: Don’t underestimate the visual impact of garage doors. Whether you go bold or blend, a high-quality style like Clopay’s Canyon Ridge offers both beauty and performance.
Hardwood Flooring
Choosing the right flooring is one of the most important decisions in any custom home build. Last time, we selected ADM Hardwood Flooring in the color Sea Smoke, and it was absolutely perfect. The tone is warm, neutral, and modern without being trendy. It complements just about any design style and always makes the home feel light, airy, and grounded.
So for this next build, we’re not overthinking it. We are 99% sure we will choose something that resembles this flooring. Why mess with perfection?
💡 Custom home flooring tip: A timeless hardwood shade like Sea Smoke gives you flexibility in decor and doesn’t show every speck of dust or pet hair.
Using Color in the Kitchen Cabinetry
We’re still big believers that kitchen cabinetry is one of the best places to play with color in a custom home. In our previous house, this design choice added so much personality and warmth, and we’re bringing that energy into our new build, just a little different.
This time, we’re thinking about going green in the pantry cabinetry while keeping the main kitchen more neutral with white oak cabinets. It’s a fresh take that still lets us inject color and depth while keeping the main space light and clean.
💡 Custom kitchen design tip: Using bold colors in secondary spaces like pantries or wet bars can make a statement without overwhelming the main kitchen.
Black Interior Windows
While we also love the look of clean, white window interiors, there’s something about black interior windows that just stops you in your tracks. They feel almost architectural, kind of like art frames for the outside world. In our last home, this detail gave each room depth and contrast, and we can’t imagine doing without it.
So yes, they’re coming with us again. We’ll be doing black interior window frames throughout the new custom build to keep that elevated, modern-meets-timeless vibe.
💡 Custom home windows tip: Black interior windows work beautifully with both light and dark interiors, giving you flexibility for years to come.
Mudroom Built-Ins
The mudroom is one of the most functional areas of the home and having custom built-in cubbies made a huge difference in keeping our lives organized. Shoes, jackets, backpacks, dog gear… everything had a place.
Henry will definitely be building custom cubbies again for the mudroom in our new home. It’s not just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have for us. It’s truly the best use of space when you’re constantly coming and going.
💡 Custom mudroom feature tip: Built-ins can be tailored to fit your exact lifestyle.
Final Thoughts: Some Features Are Just Worth Repeating
Building a custom home is exciting, but it doesn’t mean starting from scratch on every decision. Sometimes, the best ideas are the ones you’ve already lived with and loved. These five custom home features proved their worth in our last build and we’re even more excited to see them come to life in a new setting.
Whether you’re planning your first custom home or your fifth, don’t be afraid to stick with what works. The right features will continue to serve you, year after year.
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