Planning to remodel or build soon? Want to have an ExtraOrdinary Home? One that goes way beyond the norm in your neighborhood but doesn’t blow your budget? We started collecting over 1,000 uncommon, affordable convenience built-ins in 1998, when we first began writing books and consulting to help people have truly extraordinary — but affordable — homes. And by the time we’d found the first 200 features, these 34 home design principles became obvious. Use them as you plan your next remodeling or building project, and you’ll be on your way toward creating a home that’s truly beyond the ordinary!

An ExtraOrdinary Home…

… can be affordable.

… provides a healthy environment.

… is a safe environment.

… accommodates the needs of people of all ages and physical limitations.

… incorporates efficiencies that save steps and/or time.

… protects the belongings of its owners.

… minimizes harm from external threats such as pests, fire, flooding, terrorism, chemical attacks, etc.

… minimizes the risk of intruders or vandals entering and/or doing damage.

… is quiet.

… facilitates communication.

… provides physical comfort.

… is chock-full of everyday conveniences.

… has an abundance of natural light.

… has adequate and appropriately varied lighting systems and fixtures.

… has adequate and accessible electrical outlets, and switches of the appropriate types.

… is safe when the power goes out.

… is easy to maintain.

… minimizes unnecessary wear and tear of its components.

… helps its inhabitants stay organized.

… minimizes clutter by providing adequate storage for all its inhabitants' belongings.

… has storage space that's appropriate for all its stored items.

… offers storage near where the stored items will be used.

… enables storage of frequently-used items in easy-to-reach locations.

… minimizes wasted space and utilizes spaces that are otherwise unused.

… allows maximum access to everything in it.

… facilitates traffic flow.

… enables unnecessary items to be out of sight or out of the way.

… has features that make moving people and things within it easy.

… is energy and water efficient.

… can accommodate new technology as it becomes available.

… has living areas and features that can serve simultaneous multiple purposes.

… has living areas and features that can be modified as its residents' needs change.

… is enjoyable for visitors and overnight guests.

… is a safe and comfortable place for living with cats and dogs.

Like this article? Then you’ll love our book with the same title that includes over 175 uncommon, affordable convenience built-ins that increase your quality of life and your home’s resale value! We also offer a free version of this book at www.extraordinaryhomes.com: The 34 ExtraOrdinary Home Principles: Over 70 Fabulous, Affordable, Innovative Ideas That’ll Improve Your Life and WOW You!

© Copyright 2005 by Carol Abrahamson/ExtraOrdinary Homes. All rights reserved.

Carol Abrahamson consults, writes and makes presentations about more than 1,000 fabulous features that can improve your life, add value to your home and make you the talk of the town. She spent years researching them via thousands of sources just so you can quickly and easily use them to create your affordable, extraordinary Home of Your Dreams™. Learn more about her work via http:// http://www.extraordinaryhomes.com or carol@extraordinaryhomes.com.

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