There are two types of people in this world; those who regularly imagine how they’d decorate their dream home after winning the lottery, and liars. Which one would you like to be today?
Still here? Then we’re guessing you went for the former option. And who can blame anyone for wanting a little escapism in the face of geopolitical turmoil and a cost of living crisis back home.
You’re not not alone; here at IDEAL we’ve turned to The Sims for our escapism, and have been hiding out in the virtual world, furnishing our dream home with all the fixings. With that rigorous, scientific research completed, we’ve come to a few conclusions; here are 7 things that should be in your dream home.
A Serene Outdoor Space
It’s a narrative thread that runs through every Cribs episode, and every dream home competition commercial for Raffle House, Omaze and the rest. And that is; an expansive, opulent garden is perhaps the defining feature of a truly luxurious property.
Because of this, we start, rather counter-intuitively for an article about dream homes, outside. As an antidote to the hustle and bustle of modern life, having an alfresco area to unwind is essential. Whether it’s a blossoming garden, a landscaped patio, or a cosy deck, your dream home should offer an outdoor sanctuary where you can relax and appreciate nature’s beauty.
To add a touch of luxury, including elements like an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, or a hot tub can elevate the experience and provide the perfect setting for entertaining guests.
A Home Bar
The kitchen is without doubt the heart of the home, the place where the real magic happens, where meaningful conversation is cooked up and as such, it’s also a great place to host guests.
And what could be more luxurious than showing off your dream home to (admittedly green-with-envy) friends and family? Whether you’re all enjoying a home-cooked meal – hey, we’re dreaming here, and it’s foie gras and lobster on the menu – or just hanging out, drinking and chatting, a dream kitchen can be the perfect place to play host.
Now, imagine adding a bar to that kitchen, stocked with a wine fridge, pumps and spirits. You and your friends will no longer need to go out! And that wonderfully indulgent feeling of being in control of the invites will be all yours. Check out our article on how to create the IDEAL wine bar experience at home.
A Home Theatre
For the movie lovers and video game players (who, as we already mentioned, seem to be multiplying exponentially) nothing says dream home like a home cinema set up. Being able to dedicate a whole room to your hobby in all its high definition, surround sound, perfect, immersive best, is the definition of a dream. If you are wondering what it takes to create such a haven, then check out this guide to building a great home entertainment system. Of course, with money no object, you probably wouldn’t have to get your hands dirty!
Water Features
Let’s take a step back outside for a moment. Every great dream house has a dream garden to go with it. Otherwise, we’d be discussing dream flats, right? And in that dream garden, you’re going to want waterworks. Nope, not the trickling, punctured hose kind; we’re talking about pools, spas and fountains.
Your dream garden could contain a great number of items and be designed any number of ways, but nothing quite encapsulates the idea of luxury like a fountain; purely superfluous but installed for the cosmetic, aesthetic thrill of it.
Just don’t actually dream of trickling water, or you might wet the bed.
A Home Gym
For those of us who love our fitness, having a personal gym to get our home workouts in so conveniently would be fantastic. Taking health and fitness into your own hands is luxury living personified, and that person is going to be looking sculpted and toned, no doubt.
Back to reality and creating your own home gym needn’t require heaps of investment, equipment and effort. In fact, you can create a home gym using items you’ve got lying about the place already. Not quite the dream, sure, but a practical way to keep fit nonetheless.
Read: 10 tips for creating your IDEAL home gym
A Library
Finally, one for the lovers of more serene moments which don’t require ostentatious displays of wealth to feel meaningful. A home library is a classic dream house idea for excellent reasons; nothing could be more inspiring, more adept at getting the creative juices flowing, than being able to retreat to your own home library to peruse books, get your head down with some writing, or simply relax in the pages of a novel.
There are so many different designs that your home library could have, from modern to medieval and beyond, but perhaps the most important element is, of course, the books. Choose them wisely!
A Walk-In Wardrobe
The must-have for clothes enthusiasts and shoe collectors alike, a walk-in wardrobe is the epitome of luxury and practicality. With plenty of storage space, you’ll have all the room you need to keep your attire organised and dust-free. Adding features like a full-length mirror, task lighting, and seating will amplify the room’s functionality whilst maintaining an air of luxury.
The Bottom Line
Even with just seven new ideas, you may have already formed a picture of your dream house’s interior. Though achieving the home of your dreams may be years away, it’s never too early to do a little picturing of the future. Let this serve as inspiration for your journey ahead!