Must-Haves for a Luxurious, Million Dollar Home

This post might get some of us into trouble. I mean, who doesn't have a taste for the luxurious, million dollar mansion?! Contributed by Megan Gates, this is the second edition of our Designer Guest Series. In this post, Megan gives us an inside look as to what a million dollar home has to offer, and she should know! Megan is an active, expert blogger for Long Island Real Estate, Suffolk Rentals, and regurarly posts on home improvement, architecture, high design, and fashion.  Follow her on twitter at twitter.com/MEGatesDesign.



Even though the economic state of our country may have affected many markets, the luxury housing market keeps seeing sales coming. Depending on what part of the country you may live in the $1 million dollar market is generally quick moving - a lot of buying and selling. In a busy city like New York, a $1.2 million is going to have around 1000 square feet, more of an apartment style place, a loft or a bachelor pad. On the west coast, a $1 million dollar budget can buy you well over 3,000 square feet in a nice home, depending on the city. The limits of what you can have are endless depending on your budget.

Beverly Hills Home via http://is.gd/P91tjE
What exactly are people looking for in the million dollar homes they're investing in? People obviously don't want ordinary, with an extraordinary budget; they want something spectacular!

Luxurious Kitchen

Many relators believe that a large and up-to-date kitchen is the main selling point in a home. This is no different when it comes to these extravagant million dollar homes. The kitchen must be big enough to fit the entire extended family in, with plenty of room to move around. Not only should you be able to host a ballroom party there, but also all of the appliances should be brand new. Restaurant style appliances are definitely a necessity; 16 stove burners, an extra large refrigerator, a couple of ovens, wine coolers, ect. only add to these wonderful homes.

Beautiful, Up-to-Date Kitchen via http://is.gd/MlhJfj
More Square Footage

The most obvious answer to what people want for more money is more room. More room in the house itself allows for more bedrooms, sitting rooms, activity rooms, bathrooms, man caves, and walk-in closets for the women!

Bonus Bedrooms

Having a lot of bedrooms in a large home is a plus.  If you have a large family, obviously each child should have their own bedroom, catered to their wants and interests. When purchasing such a gorgeous home, it is great to entertain and host guests so the extra space will be worth it. There should be a couple of guest rooms in case you decide to host a party with friends coming in from out of town. This will allow them to feel more comfortable during their stay. Having extra bedrooms is a great way to create two "mother-in-law" suites for both sets of parents, or to have an office and in-home gym.

Spa Bathrooms

No cramped half-baths for these luxury properties! The new trend of bathrooms is to make them as spa-like as possible. By having beautiful décor and a high-end shower + tub, the feeling of a spa retreat in a home is easily attainable. Master bathrooms can have extras like a jacuzzi tub and a door to walk straight into the master closet, added conveniences for a homebuyer.  Double sinks and large vanities should be implemented as well. A steam room, or a steam shower is a lovely way to relax within your own home.  Many people believe that the time spent getting ready in the morning should be the most relaxing, so why not personalize your master bath with all of these amenities.

California Bathroom via http://is.gd/vu9eGZ
Spa Bathroom via http://is.gd/vu9eGZ
Residential Spa Bathroom via http://is.gd/tasqKR

Plenty of Storage

In expansive homes, having plenty of room for storage is a must have. Walk-in closets for the bedrooms, pantries, and hallway closets and garages big enough to fit the entire family cargo, are a couple of examples. Depending on the size of the house, the size of the garage may increase with it. A homeowner with a budget in the millions will have lots of toys, extra cars and other vehicles, that they need room to store. A walk-in closet would be a necessity with the master bedroom, if not with each bedroom in the entire house. Having extra closets for storage, linens and a pantry in the kitchen will all make a potential homebuyer feel that there is plenty of room for them and their belongings.

Outdoor Entertaining

The entertainment space doesn't end in the house. Outdoor living spaces are becoming increasingly popular demand by people in the market for a new home. A pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen, and outdoor living area are all bonus value additions to a luxurious, million dollar home. Having such an expansive living space is fantastic for entertaining, or for family time (depending on the buyer).

Serene Outdoor Entertaining Area via http://is.gd/A7gIaQ
The housing market right now is definitely buyer-friendly, and there's no shortage of beautiful properties. The sky is the limit with million dollar homes!