To Build in Costa Rica

Looking for a little something to procrastinate on, and with a little brain fodder assistance from my friend Vanessa, here is what I found for today. A google search for ‘cool ideas for new homes’ revealed Houzz’s forum where there was a plethora of incredibly practical ideas to plan for.

Bullet point form works for me. Pardon the repeats, it must mean they are extra important.

GENERAL ELECTRICAL

• (courtesy of my friend Vanessa) Electrical OUTLETS ideas: Cooper TR7740W-BOX (outlet with USB ports)…$20 each. I would NEVER have thought of this all by myself, but must say, it is genius!

• if you are thinking of placing your sofa/ lounges away from a wall, place outlets in the floor so that you can have lamps on either side or behind the couch. If you rearrange furniture, the outlets can be obscured by a rug, ottoman etc
• Dimmers on all the light switches
• A drawer with a built-in outlet to serve as a charging station for electronics…
  Choose a “media station” area to host your security, tech an other low voltage needs so that all the electrical can chase back to one location, preferably hidden.
• Wire for speakers during construction, to create the surround sound effect. Also consider when to wire for intercom, alarm system, fire detection alarm, CO3 alarm

• Electrical outlets every 6 feet (including outdoor fixtures on the porch/deck.)

• plan for at least one electrical outlet and a water source on every side of the outside of the house. If you might decide to install a jacuzzi outside, run the 220 line now, and you might as well run a television cable at the same time.
• it’s a good idea to have heavy duty power outlets outside, like on a garage or outbuilding, so that you can use them for any outside work, including filling tires with air, yard work, house fixits etc

KITCHEN

• (I love this idea) Make room for 2 dishwashers and never unload dishes again … use the space that would otherwise be a cabinet.
• make all the bottom cabinet spaces into drawers. It takes only one movement to see what’s inside. You won’t be disappointed you did this.
• a walk-in pantry
• place the outlets under the cabinets instead of on the wall, so that when you tile the backsplash you won’t have unsightly outlets in the mix
• design for a hamper for dirty dish towels in the kitchen or pantry
• an in-counter composting container
• the best extractor air-vent you can afford
• cabinet with pocket doors to house microwave, toaster and coffee maker (or in my case dehydrator, Vitamix, juicer) so they are convenient, but you simply close the cupboard door to hide them. Wire appropriately for said items. Install more outlet space than just the standard 2 plug outlet to avoid playing ‘musical plugs’.
• Reverse Osmosis water filtration system on all faucets in the kitchen eg. ice maker, instant hot water, refrigerator water supply.
• tankless water heater under kitchen sink for all kitchen water. For this, only a cold line needs to be run to kitchen, no heat energy lost by water sitting in pipes and no running the water till it gets hot, more efficient and green.
• sponge storage in the front of kitchen sink. The front of the sink panels hinge down and are lined with plastic mini-bins. It’s the perfect cubby for those unsightly sponges.

BEDROOM

• bedroom lights switched at bedside or BETTER remote access to all of your electronics and lighting from an iPad or universal control

BATHROOM

• If space allows in the master suite, design for a separate toilet compartment to where the bath tub and shower are. Obvious reasons.
• Ceiling fan in the bathroom for tropical homes.
• Create a ledge for resting your foot to shave your legs, and a recess for your shampoo/ razors/ soap etc
• Hand-shower in all showers

GENERAL HOUSE HOLD

• Install extra blocking in the walls at closets and bathrooms (particularly places where you might want to add shelving or grab bars in the future)
• Think universal design (wider doorways, fewer stairs, spaces everyone can use)
• Drip irrigation lines to every planter on the deck.
• Central Vacuum System & incorporate it in your kitchen kick-plates & base-boards in other rooms with hard-surfaced floors if possible. This way you can sweep the dirt right over to the kick-plate & it is sucked away without the need for a dust-pan.
• A second refrigerator (even if it is in the garage) is super convenient for when family come to stay, holiday time or entertaining.
• A grey-water system, rainwater capture and dual-flush toilets to conserve water
• Solar panels on roof. Solar pool pump. Even if you can’t afford it at the beginning, wire for it.
• Pocket doors whenever possible. You will LOVE how much space you save.

This list but scratches the surface… if any readers have ideas to add, we can create an ever better idea mosaic… email me at tobuildincostarica@gmail.com