25 bucket-list home features: how many do you have?

How many of these must-haves are on your list?

Everyone has their own personal ideas about what makes a perfect house but there are some standout attributes that are universally desired by homeowners the world over. If you can tick off at least 20 of these bucket-list design features, you might just have a dream home.

A kitchen island

A kitchen island is both a stunning centrepiece and main hub at the heart of the home. They're where the family can gather for breakfasts and where the real fun is had when dinner party guests join their hosts as they prepare the feast. Add one to your kitchen and you'll never regret it – it's one of those kitchen trends that aren't going anywhere.

A luxury shower

A waterfall shower or similar luxury bathroom experience is something we all dream of. Beyond the specialised shower head and cool decor, you need to have a never-ending supply of hot water and great pressure to gift that indulgent hotel-bathroom feel every day. While custom sinks might be flight of fancy, a quality shower will always be a good investment.

A beautiful garden

Regardless of the size of your garden (small can be just as beautiful), a manicured section you can enjoy in good weather is a must-have. Even just a few flowers or veggies planted in beds or a display of potted plants make it into a place where you want to spend time and relax.

A perfect flow of space

This is a nuanced feeling; hard to describe but you'll know when you step through your front door whether a house has good flow or not. It's achieved with a mix of clever architecture and practical use of space that makes moving through your home effortless, plus attention to the details like colours, lighting, flooring and the placement of doors and windows. It's 100% worth talking to an interior architect before you remodel to get this wonderful effect.

Gorgeous flooring

Smooth, warm, textured or rough underfoot? Your flooring is highly individual depending on how you and your family use your home. Light-coloured carpets might be perfect for some and a complete nightmare for others. Whatever you choose, though, it should be comfortable, well insulated and hardwearing.

A super-comfy sofa

There's nothing so essential in the living room as a cosy sofa to cuddle up on with a good book. It's one of the few things in a house where it's absolutely essential that it works even better than it looks. Whether you love a classic look or a modern arrangement, if you love your sofa, you're doing well.​

A flawless finish

Getting a flawless finish is the final icing on the cake when you redecorate. It can be difficult to get the perfect look throughout your house but when you do, you know you can sit back and relax. The key to perfect paintwork, cornices, panelling and woodwork is to prepare your surfaces correctly and use the right paint for the job. Plus, painter's tape is your best friend!

Individual style

Like fashion, interior design trends go in and out of style, so it's important to have some individual touches that you will always love, regardless of what the colour of the year is. Add plants, artwork, photographs and even statement walls in your favourite colours and you'll love your rooms forever.

Perfect doors and windows

It seems a given that doors and windows should work well but the devil is always in the detail. The tactile elements of a house are the key to living comfortably; you should be able to open and close all your doors and windows without a struggle. They should feel smooth and fit beautifully without gaps, drags or drafts and keep the noise and the elements out.

Solid, sturdy walls

This is what often marks out a house that you own, rather than ones you used to rent. Now you can decide to strengthen supporting walls, remove unnecessary ones and know that when you hammer in hooks for pictures, or put up shelves, you've got nothing structural to worry about.

A balcony

If you don't have a garden, a beautiful balcony is the next best thing, giving you the easy option of walking straight out into nature and fresh air. Bonus points if it's decorated with plants or you have an easy chair perfect for reading in the afternoon sun.

An outdoor building

Whether it's a shed or a summerhouse, a mancave or a garden studio, adding a small garden room creates new options for making the most of your outdoor space. It means you can have a little retreat that can be utilised all year round for a multitude of uses; even if it's somewhere just to hide away when you need a few minutes to yourself!

An organised utility room

If you've had all your white goods in the kitchen or slotted in wherever there's space before, you'll know how a practical utility room can be life-changing. Plenty of storage options will keep everything organised and out of the way, plus it's ideal for busy families and separating laundry out from social living spaces.

A large garage

Being able to park your car inside a garage, or at least on the driveway, brings not only a potential reduction in your insurance bills but also peace of mind. It also offers space to keep all those annoying essentials that houses seem to collect – kids' scooters, old bikes, mechanic's tools and so on – out of sight.

A home office

Never has a hardworking home office been such a luxury. With social distancing and the possibility of another lockdown at any moment, having a dedicated space means you can work from home efficiently and have the feeling of closing the door on your job at the end of the day. It can also double as a place to spend time on your hobbies and passion projects; whether it's a craft room, studio or study, that extra room can be priceless.

A dedicated spare bedroom

Whether you've got family staying or you need a separate room to self isolate, having an extra bedroom that's actually spare is incredibly valuable. Try to resist filling it with clutter, add personality with any pictures and ornaments, plus add a good bedside lamp and table so it's a comfortable space for when you need it.

A personal gallery wall

A gallery wall for pictures of all your important people, past and present, is a beautiful way to make a house a home. Whether you have it running up the staircase, or displayed in the front room, it's something you can really individualise to work as a memory board and a stunning design feature.

Quality white goods

Good quality appliances not only make life just that touch easier on a day-to-day basis but they're also more stylish and more environmentally conscious. Plus, even the cheapest options cost a fair amount, so if you can splash out on something that will last with a long guarantee, it's worth it.

A walk-in wardrobe

Who doesn't dream of a walk-in wardrobe? For many of us it's a goal for our one-day home, but if you have the space, a walk-in offers excellent storage options not just for clothes but handbags and shoes too. Plus it's ideal for couples who get up at different times –there's no need to disturb your sleeping partner as you fumble about at 6am for your favourite jacket.

Easy, invisible recycling

Recycling and household waste management is more complicated than ever, so it's worth spending time to devise a system that allows you to easily sort and store plastics, paper, food waste and all the other categories that you might have available to you. Most good kitchens will have integrated trash cans or perhaps you have a utility room with a dedicated space for this essential task.

Good insulation

It sounds boring but when it comes to comfort and heating efficiency, there's nothing like a truly well-insulated home. Insulation can be improved and upgraded as you go and, if you add any extensions, make sure you go for high-quality materials. It'll pay for itself in bills over the next few years.

Awesome artwork

Artwork you love is something that really makes a home unique and individual to you. Art collections take a while to build up and it's important to buy what you love, not what you think you should like, or what might be valuable in future. Aim to hang pieces on your walls that make you happy and feel free to mix and match.

Great storage

A vast stretch of cupboards and closets is every homeowner's dream. You want things to be out of the way but still accessible, the storage to look stylish but still offer plenty of room. If you have any secret storage spots in your home, like under the stairs or under the eaves, kit them out with easy-to-access shelves and drawers.

Lighting you love

From exposed bulbs to wall sconces and pendants, good lighting is surprisingly hard to achieve. These days, light fixtures are as much style statement as a necessity, so you want them to look great and make everything else look fabulous, too. You should aim to have a mix of task lights that brighten areas of your home and mood lighting to soften and provide a relaxing ambience.

A beautiful entrance

Nothing says 'perfect home' like feeling happy when you see it coming into view. Your front door, porch and entryway are the portal into your nest, so make sure they feel welcoming, friendly and well-designed. Keep woodwork fresh with an annual lick of paint and make sure there's adequate light for the darker months and, if you're blessed with a covered porch, a seat to take off muddy shoes will always be handy.