Building a new home is one of the most exciting and meaningful projects you’ll ever take on. It’s also one of the largest financial investments many people will make in their lifetime. So it’s natural to want to stick to a budget. But here’s the truth: not all expenses are created equal, and some elements of a home are worth every extra dollar.
In fact, knowing where to splurge can make the difference between a house that feels “fine” and one that feels like home. The kind of home that supports your daily rituals, brings you joy every time you walk through the door, and stands the test of time, not just structurally, but emotionally and aesthetically too.
When you build smart, the big-ticket items don’t feel like splurges over the long haul. They become investments that pay dividends every single day—in comfort, durability, beauty, and peace of mind. So, where should you open up the budget a little? Let’s break down the high-impact areas of a new home build that are worth the extra spend—and why.
Let’s start with one of the most transformative—and overlooked—elements: windows, the soul of your space. Natural light makes every room feel more open, warm, and alive. It improves your mood, supports your circadian rhythm, and connects you to the outdoors. High-quality windows that are strategically placed and well-sized will affect how you experience your home from day one. They are worth the splurge because they are energy efficient, reducing your utility bill and improving insulation, they are durable, aesthetically pleasing, and bringing sunshine to your daily routine is priceless. You will see and feel the benefit of good windows every single day—and they’ll last for decades if you choose wisely.
Secondly, flooring, the true foundation of your home. You touch your floors more than any other part of your home. So it makes sense that investing in high-quality flooring is one of the smartest choices you can make. It impacts not just the look of your home, but how it feels underfoot, how it wears, and how easily it can be cleaned or repaired. We recommend solid hardwood or engineered hardwood, natural stones, large format porcelain tiles, and if your climate is right, upgrading to heated floors in key areas like bathrooms is a must. With flooring making the investment upfront for the high-quality materials saves you a ton of money in the long run, you won’t have to replace or refinish your floors as quickly or as often, and they help your resale value if you are looking to sell your home in the future. Over a 20- to 30-year timeframe, your cost per year for premium flooring often ends up being lower than replacing inferior materials every 5–10 years.
Let’s talk about your kitchen, the heart of the home. It’s also one of the most used and most visible spaces, so investing in quality cabinetry and appliances is a no-brainer. We recommend splurging on custom cabinetry with higher quality materials, hardware, and functionality, soft-close hinges, full extension drawers, and integrated pro-style appliances that are efficient and beautiful. You will use your kitchen every day, so it's going to get some wear and tear, but by investing in quality materials and appliances upfront, you avoid having to replace or repair those items as quickly or as often as you would otherwise. A beautiful kitchen adds enormous pride of ownership and is a huge selling point when you look to sell your home. A great kitchen not only makes your day-to-day better—it anchors your home’s long-term value.
Another space worth investing in is your primary bathroom, also known as your personal sanctuary. The primary suite is where your day begins and ends. A well-designed, luxurious bathroom isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a refuge, a spa, a recharging station. We recommend looking at spa-like features in this space, including walk-in showers, frameless glass, freestanding soaking tubs, custom vanities, heated floors, towel warmers, steam showers, and saunas. Once you have your layout and offerings selected, we recommend investing in the lighting of your bathroom space to ensure you are supported for all the functions this space will have. Getting ready for an event requires bright natural lighting, while soaking in a tub requires moody, dimmed lighting; supporting both functions is key to enjoying your space.
The one thing that Ballentine Architects Studio never compromises on is doors, hardware, and trim. We feel that these are the “touchpoints” of your home. You turn door handles. You open drawers. You notice the weight of a solid-core door versus a hollow one, even if it’s subconscious. You want to invest in solid-core interior doors, high-quality hardware in finishes that age gracefully, and custom millwork for both baseboards and crown molding. You touch these elements every day, high quality choices will make them satisfying to use. Cheap doors can warp and feel flimsy, add on cheap hardware that flakes and corrodes over time, and you start to age your home far faster than you should be. As Benjamin Ballentine, a respected Los Angeles-based architect, often says, “The pieces you touch every day—those are the ones that matter most. They shape your experience of the home.”
Something that is often overlooked is storage, this doesn’t just mean in your garage, it means creatively crafting storage and utility throughout your home. Few things improve your quality of life more than an organized home. Instead of adding closet systems and garage shelving after the fact, plan for smart storage up front. Look into custom-built-ins for mudrooms, pantries, and closets, invest in your laundry space with current technology, and pimp-out your garage. An organized home reduces stress, and custom built-ins add value to your home. When your home works for you, your whole day runs smoother. That’s an investment in your sanity.
There are always a few investments that feel like a burden because they aren’t beautiful, but they are vital to the enjoyment and functionality of your home. One of those is a good HVAC and insulation plan. These aren’t sexy upgrades, but they’re some of the most important. An energy-efficient, well-designed HVAC system combined with smart insulation and air sealing means year-round comfort and lower utility bills. Get a zoned system, and plan for air purifiers and humidifiers throughout your home. Especially as your family grows, adding pets or children to the home will put pressure on your HVAC and filtration systems. Investing in high-quality quality robust machinery upfront will allow you to grow without worry.
Lighting and window treatments seem silly to mention, but there are so many elements to properly lighting a home and covering your windows that we feel it's important to include them in this list. Lighting is an art and a science. It impacts how you feel in a space, how colors appear, and how functional a room is at night. We recommend a smart system with smart switches and automation, thinking about all uses for each space and accommodating them accordingly. Think undercabinet lighting, hallway lighting, art lighting, landscape lighting, everything is vital.
Your home isn’t just a structure—it’s a daily experience. The splurges mentioned above aren’t frivolous. They’re investments in your quality of life. And here’s the thing: what feels like a big spend during your build often becomes just “a bunch of widgets” over time.
In the grand scheme of a 30-year mortgage or a lifetime of use, the cost difference between good and great often shrinks dramatically. But the value—how much you enjoy your home, how well it functions, how long it lasts—skyrockets. So before you cut corners to shave a few thousand dollars off the upfront cost, ask yourself: Will I see or use this every day? Will better quality make this easier, more beautiful, or longer-lasting? Will I wish I’d gone a little further once I’m living here? When the answer is yes, it’s worth it. This is your home, your sanctuary, your legacy. Build it right—and it will return your investment every single day.