The Most Common Layout Regret New Homeowners Have
When building a new home, it’s exciting to choose custom finishes, explore open floor plans, and watch a unique vision come to life. However, there are crucial layout decisions that can impact how you live in the space for years to come. After over 40 years of experience, Joseph Scott Homes, trusted Mount Pleasant home builders, have identified the layout feature most often overlooked—and most commonly regretted.
So what’s the one feature homeowners wish they had prioritized? Surprisingly, it’s a dedicated mudroom or drop zone.
Why a Mudroom or Drop Zone Matters So Much
At first glance, a mudroom might seem like a minor detail. But once you live in the home, this space becomes essential for controlling messes, creating order, and improving your family’s daily routines. Joseph Scott Homes consistently advises clients to make room for a practical and functional mudroom. Over the decades, these Mount Pleasant home builders have seen how this small area provides a big impact on quality of life.
Practical Benefits of a Mudroom
– Keeps shoes, backpacks, coats, and sports gear in a centralized location
– Minimizes dirt, moisture, and debris in the main living spaces
– Adds much-needed storage for seasonal items, cleaning supplies, and more
– Provides a transitional area between outdoors and indoors, a valuable feature in Wisconsin’s changing seasons
Organizational Perks Homeowners Love
Homeowners are amazed by how a mudroom helps create a more organized and stress-free home. Joseph Scott Homes often incorporates features like built-in shelves, individual lockers, cubbies, and even charging stations. A well-designed mudroom simplifies routines and helps keep the rest of the home cleaner and more pleasant to live in.
Why This Feature Often Gets Overlooked
With so many exciting upgrades to choose from—including custom kitchens, spa-like bathrooms, and spacious living areas—mudrooms can fall to the bottom of the priority list. According to the experts at Joseph Scott Homes, homeowners tend to consider it a “nice extra” rather than a “must-have.”
Short-Term vs Long-Term Thinking
It’s easy to focus on style and decorative features during planning discussions. Flashy finishes often take center stage over functional design choices. Mount Pleasant home builders explain that while mudrooms aren’t glamorous, they are extremely practical. When left out, the realization often hits once messy daily routines begin—especially when kids, pets, and weather are involved.
Building Within a Budget
Trying to stick within a budget can lead to cutting less glamorous extras like a mudroom. Joseph Scott Homes knows that even a small, cost-effective design can dramatically improve the feel and function of a house. A modest mudroom doesn’t need a huge footprint, yet it delivers significant benefits for years to come.
What Does a Great Mudroom Include?
Mount Pleasant home builders agree—if you’re going to include a mudroom, maximize its usability. Joseph Scott Homes recommends focusing on four critical areas to create a space that truly supports everyday life.
Strategic Location
The best spot for a mudroom is between the garage and the main house entryway. This allows family members to drop off keys, shoes, and outerwear without dragging messes into central living areas. Joseph Scott Homes often places mudrooms near laundry rooms or kitchens for extra convenience and workflow.
Smart Storage Solutions
– Cubbies or lockers designated for family members
– Wall hooks for jackets, backpacks, and leashes
– Benches for convenient seating and hidden shoe storage
– Overhead or side cabinetry for seasonal gear and supplies
Durable Materials
Given the heavy wear these rooms endure, Mount Pleasant home builders encourage using tough materials. Joseph Scott Homes typically recommends tile or waterproof floors, scuff-resistant wall finishes, and durable cabinets and hardware that can stand up to wet coats, muddy boots, and paw prints.
Extra Functional Touches
– Small utility sinks for cleaning gear or rinsing dirty hands
– Charging stations for electronics
– Wall hooks for purses and key racks
– Storage closets for pet supplies or cleaning items
Joseph Scott Homes: Experts Who Help You Get the Details Right
Founded by seasoned builders James Joseph Fuchs and Michael Scott Lawrence, Joseph Scott Homes brings over four decades of experience to every project. This Mount Pleasant home builder is known for offering true custom builds, unmatched quality, and thoughtful details that improve daily living.
A Custom Builder Who Listens
Joseph Scott Homes believes that every home should reflect the people who live in it. Their approach revolves around asking the right questions and guiding you through the layout and design process. They make sure to align your home’s form with its function—whether you’re dreaming of a clever drop zone or a luxurious chef’s kitchen.
Whole-Home Integration
From foundations to finishes, Joseph Scott Homes takes pride in whole-home build integrity. In addition to craftsmanship, the company values sustainability, energy efficiency, and smart-space planning. Their Mount Pleasant home builders build homes designed to stay beautiful and functional well into the future.
Other Layout Features You Shouldn’t Skip
While the mudroom is one of the most commonly regretted omissions, it’s not the only layout consideration to think about. Joseph Scott Homes frequently helps clients add these smart home features that enhance livability and long-term value.
Flexible Spaces
Today’s families need adaptable rooms. Whether it’s a playroom that later becomes a home office or a guest suite that transforms into a gym, versatile design matters. Mount Pleasant home builders at Joseph Scott Homes strategically plan rooms that can be adjusted as your needs evolve.
First-Floor Laundry
No one wants to haul baskets up stairs every day. Placing laundry rooms on the main floor near bedrooms or mudrooms makes laundry easier to manage. Joseph Scott Homes recommends designing a laundry space that is functional, accessible, and even pleasant to use.
Open-Concept Living with Defined Zones
Open layouts remain popular, but defining different areas within the space is essential. Without structure, open plans can feel chaotic instead of spacious. Joseph Scott Homes balances flow with form by using partial walls, ceiling details, and furniture layouts that visually guide you through the space.
How to Avoid Regrets in Your Future Home
Joseph Scott Homes works closely with Mount Pleasant homeowners during the early stages of planning to avoid layout regrets. Their team takes time to evaluate your lifestyle and suggest smart features that will matter long after the construction dust settles.
Tip 1: Think About Your Day-to-Day
Walk yourself through a typical weekday. Where do you put groceries when you walk in? Where do shoes go? This mental simulation often reveals missing elements, like a mudroom or poorly placed pantry, that could make your new home more functional.
Tip 2: Prioritize Function Over Flash
It’s easy to spend your budget on dramatic lighting or expensive stone countertops. But features like a mudroom, extra storage, or hallway planning can add real ease to your life. Joseph Scott Homes helps clients find the perfect balance between function and curb appeal.
Tip 3: Ask for Expert Guidance
Don’t hesitate to ask your builder questions. Joseph Scott Homes has crafted homes in Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Walworth Counties. Their team uses decades of experience to help clients avoid costly decisions and take advantage of ideas they might not have thought of.
Build Smarter—Not Just Bigger
It turns out that the one layout feature homeowners often regret skipping—the mudroom—isn’t about size or luxury. It’s about smart living. Working with trusted Mount Pleasant home builders like Joseph Scott Homes ensures you won’t miss the small choices that make a big difference.
Your dream home deserves more than good design—it needs to function for your life today and tomorrow. With thoughtful planning and an expert team, Joseph Scott Homes makes sure your home feels complete from day one. No regrets, just a home built for the way you live.
