Top 10 Design Elements That Make A Home A Great Place To Live
by Eric Olson

Home design is constantly evolving, reflecting our ever-changing lifestyles. What we wanted out of homes 10 or 20 years ago is very different from what we want out of our homes today. Imagine if you had the opportunity to build your dream house or remodel an existing home into something better. What are the elements that would make it a truly great place to live? We decided to ask our experts at the Plaskoff Design Group to weigh in on this matter and formulated the following list of what we believe are the top 10 design elements that make a house a delightful place to live.

1. Open Floor Plan
Having the public rooms of a house be open to each other with lots of windows, natural light and a sense of open, flowing space has become very popular. “What makes it so appealing is the impression of more space it gives,” says John Himes, Chief Architect at Plaskoff Construction. An open floor plan could mean a kitchen that opens up onto a family room which opens up onto something else, like a pair of glass doors that lead out to a yard and pool. So there’s a sense of flow and of views that tie several spaces together. “Ideally, you want your public spaces to be open and flowing, and your private spaces to be able to be closed off,” says Matt Plaskoff, owner of Plaskoff Construction.

2. Large Family Room
Usually the heart of the home, a large family room encourages family togetherness time, whether to watch a movie, play games, read or just hang out. Ideally it’s open to the kitchen, which allows family members to stay more connected to each other while at home. Mom or dad could be in the kitchen cooking, while the kids are on a computer, doing homework or watching TV. It’s also ideal for entertaining, as people tend to entertain larger groups but on a more casual scale. “Southern Californians want great rooms that open to the kitchen, but smaller and fewer formal living spaces, because they just don’t get used as much anymore for entertaining,” says Plaskoff.

3. Big Gourmet Kitchen
While not everyone may need a pizza oven or a separate freezer, a large, comfortable kitchen is a wonderful thing to have in a home. There’s plenty of space for preparing meals, for family members to hang out together and for entertaining guests at a large party. To fully do it justice, you’ll want beautiful countertops and cabinetry and industrial grade appliances, such as a commercial range, a double oven, warming drawers, and a large refrigerator. “While all this stuff is showy and looks really great, people who are into cooking truly appreciate it and feel it’s worth spending the money on,” says Pegi Miller, Director of Design at Plaskoff Construction.

4. Spa Master Bathroom
While most people want a large master bathroom, many wish to go a step further and create a spa experience in their own homes. “People want more luxurious finishings, steam showers, jacuzzi tubs, etc.” says Miller. “They want to feel like they’re going to a spa, only they’re at home.” A beautifully designed, large master bathroom can become a favorite place to retreat and let your cares melt away as you soak in luxurious spa-style surroundings. Light your favorite scented candle, put on some relaxing music and slip into the healing waters of your Japanese inspired spa tub.

5. Home Office
A well designed home office can enhance people’s lifestyles in so many ways, from bringing order to the running of your life to being able to work from home now and then. Designing the ideal home office varies by the individual and the demands of their specific work. Often a smaller space with a bigger computer screen is the right formula. With the advances in digital storage technology, people just don’t need a lot of physical storage space anymore. A home office, therefore, doesn’t necessarily have to be that big, according to Himes. Emphasis should be placed on lots of natural light with maybe a nice view. It should be a place that inspires you to spend time in.

6. Media Room
These are becoming very desirable as people tend to stay at home more. A media room gives you the opportunity to watch what you want, when you want, with comparable picture and sound quality in the comfort of a favorite chair or sofa. Media rooms can be set up to give an at-home theater experience, complete with row seating and a large screen. Or they can be more casual, with comfortable sofas surrounding a state-of-the-art television and sound system. “The use of these rooms depends on how people live,” says Miller. “Some may use them for everyday viewing, while others use them for entertaining guests and treat it like going to a movie theater.”

7. Storage, Storage, Storage
It’s true, we live in a consumer society. As a result, people own lots of stuff and they need places to put their stuff. Hence, ample storage is extremely important when thinking about designing or remodeling a home. In fact, the more, the better, according to our experts. Large, walk-in closets, linen cabinets, lots of built-in shelves, a kitchen pantry, garage storage, storage for books, for a wine collection, toy storage for the kids – these are all good things to have. In fact, smart, efficient storage solutions can be custom built and help maximize the use of space, helping you stay more organized and making things easier to find. A streamlined, clutter-free environment can greatly add to the pleasure of living in your home.

8. Indoor/Outdoor Living
An open indoor/outdoor living experience is key to having a great home that fits in with the Southern California lifestyle. People want to be able to have their house readily open up to the outdoors, according to Miller. This could mean having large windows and lots of doors that open onto outdoor landscaping, whether it’s a pool, a deck, a garden or an outdoor dining area. “Here in Southern California, we’re fortunate enough to live in a climate where you can live outside for the better part of the year and it’s worth taking advantage of,” says Himes. An outdoor kitchen area is a great way to move an indoor activity outdoors when the weather permits. They’re perfect for entertaining and families love them.

9. Outdoor Living Rooms
“These are becoming really important,” according to Miller. “Everyone’s asking for a covered outdoor room.” These casual spaces allow homeowners to enjoy the moderate Southern California climate outside with sofas, tables and other comforts. Family and friends can spend a warm summer evening outdoors watching television, having dinner or entertaining. An outdoor fireplace allows you to extend your outdoor time well into the evening.

10. Personality/Unique Elements
Imparting personality to your home by incorporating unique decorative and built-in elements can make a home a truly special place to be. This could mean things like a wall niche or alcove to display artwork, an element in an entry way that’s a little unusual, a decorative floor medallion, or a tile mosaic behind an oven range. “You want something that kind of sets the home apart; some element that adds character,” says Miller. It’s often small details that can add up to create a big impression. For more ideas on how to decorate with character, read our next newsletter.

Special thanks to the Berman family of Hidden Hills and the Cunningham family of Westchester for providing photos of their homes.