In addition to overseeing industrial and commercial development projects, I have been a luxury home builder for over 30 years. My definition of a luxury home has less to do with price per square foot or actual cost, but rather, the quality of workmanship that goes into a home. The special custom features that accent the home are important because they reflect the home buyers character or taste in an individual way. A luxury home should include some design flourishes that add to quality of life, highlight interiors or exteriors in an artistic way, and are made from materials that last for a long time.

Square Footage is Not the Definition of a Luxury Home

Many builders and home buyers confuse large square footage homes with a luxury home. A 2,000 square foot home could be defined as a luxury home or a 6,000 square foot home, that is just a big box, built with cheaper materials, may not be classified as a luxury home.

Let me explain the difference. Some builders rely upon business plans that rely upon a market searching for less expensive square footage. So, say they build 4,000 square foot homes and sell at a cheaper square footage than comparable properties. Lets compare this to someone constructing a 2,000 square foot home that is custom built with details. This home would cost $400,000. But the 2,000 square foot home is built with more expertise and detail -- and this is where the true quality of a luxury home exists.

Custom Features in Luxury Homes

I will give some solid examples of custom features in a home that make all of the difference in day-to-day living. Currently, I'm building Craftsman style homes in the Asheville North Carolina area. In some of these homes, the stair rails are custom made. You may find a stone harp on a cathedral ceiling, or a slab of redwood for a fireplace mantle. The redwood would be imported from a reliable source, and the finest cut of redwood available. Some other details would be faucets, light fixtures, custom stonework, custom embellishments on the front or back of the house, hardwood floors, and custom windows or windowpanes. These are among the features that make a house a unique luxury home, though this is not a definitive list.

Popular Custom Features in Contemporary Luxury Homes

Today, there are some common amenities the contemporary home buyer may want to add to a luxury home. These include billiard rooms, wet bars, wine cellars, home theaters, outdoor fireplaces, home offices, home gyms. In warmer climates, swimming pools, outdoor kitchens, and outdoor living rooms are commonly requested additions to luxury homes.

Use of Extra Bedrooms in Luxury Home as Living Space

A luxury home is well-planned and executed. This means that the home utilizes space to the optimum potential for the homeowner. Many of the mansions which have been built in the last decade are constructed with number of extra bedrooms. This is not the best use of space when only two adults are living in 4,00-6,000 square feet of space. Even with just one or two children, this sort of space can be adjusted to fit a billiard room, wet bar, home theater, or home gym instead. Any of these features would add to the quality of life of the inhabitants of the home and make better use of space then extra bedrooms.

This is merely a short list of some of the amenities and special custom features that can be added to a luxury home. The list could be as unique as the owners imagination. For those looking for a custom builder, remember to look for a builder with a number of years of experience and good references. Attention to detail, as well as an ability to hire the right subcontractors to install the custom features correctly, is a must. Finally, if you are looking to build a custom home, know your budget. This way you will be able to decide upon the specific building materials used, and the design in advance.