Custom Home Features Worth the Investment in 2026

Luxury Custom Home Features

These luxury custom home features are designed to elevate daily living, not just impress. 

We’ve incorporated these high-end features in many homes across North Vancouver and the Lower Mainland to enhance comfort, functionality, and long-term livability.

Pictured: Hidden walk-in pantry in Haven (Net Zero Lifestyle) custom home built by Hasler Homes.

Hidden Walk-In Pantry

A concealed pantry keeps everyday appliances, bulk storage, and prep clutter out of sight while remaining easily accessible from the main kitchen. Integrated shelving and thoughtful lighting turn this luxury custom home feature into a highly functional extension of the kitchen.

Why it’s worth including in your home:

• Keeps the main kitchen clean by hiding appliances and bulk storage.
• Improves kitchen organization and day-to-day workflow.
• Creates a streamlined, high-end kitchen design.

Best suited for: Homes designed for entertaining and family living.

Pictured: Primary bedroom in Japandia custom-built home by Hasler Homes.

Tranquil Primary Bedroom

A tranquil and well-planned primary bedroom provides a quiet, private space that is separated from the busier areas of the home. Thoughtful proportions, controlled natural light, and durable material choices elevate the room by creating a comfortable, functional space designed for rest and relaxation.

Why it’s worth including in your custom home:

• Provides a private, quiet space away from high-traffic areas to help you unwind and recharge.
• Supports better rest with a calm, uncluttered environment.
• Improves overall livability by clearly separating rest from active living spaces.

Best suited for: Homeowners who value privacy, comfort, and a strong sense of retreat within their home.

Pictured: Japandia custom spa-inspired bathroom.

Spa-Inspired Bathrooms

Spa-inspired bathrooms are a highly sought-after custom home feature, especially in North Vancouver. They provide a comfortable and peaceful space for daily routines and bathing. Features like a freestanding tub elevate the room by creating a dedicated bathing area while allowing the rest of the bathroom layout to remain efficient and easy to maintain.

Why it’s worth including in your home:

• Creates a calm, retreat-like space for bathing and downtime.
• Elevates the overall bathroom experience without adding unnecessary features.
• Adds long-term value, especially when the bathroom has a well-planned layout and uses durable, high-quality materials.

Best suited for: Homeowners who want a functional bathroom that also offers a quiet, restful place to unwind.

Pictured: Walk-in closet with built-in custom storage at Haven (Net Zero Lifestyle).

Walk-In Closet with Custom Storage Solutions

A walk-in closet with custom storage keeps clothing, footwear, and accessories organized and easy to access while reducing visible clutter in the primary bedroom. Built-in shelving, drawers, and hanging zones elevate the space by turning it into a functional extension of the primary suite.

Why it’s worth including in your custom home:

• Keeps clothing and accessories organized and easy to access.
• Reduces visible clutter in the primary bedroom.
• Maximizes usable storage.

Best suited for: Homeowners who value organization, efficient storage, and a clutter-free space.

Pictured: Concealed blinds by Conceal IT at Japandia custom home.

Concealed Blinds

Concealed blinds keep window coverings hidden within the ceiling or walls while allowing for easy operation when needed. This unique custom home feature helps maintain clean sightlines and a more streamlined interior.

Why it’s worth including in your custom-built home:

• Keeps windows visually clean without exposed hardware.
• Preserves views when blinds are open, especially in rooms with large windows.
• Maximizes natural light while maintaining privacy when required.
  

Best suited for: Homes with large windows or clean, minimalist interior designs.

Pictured: Home theatre at Belmonte custom home built by Hasler Homes.

Home Theatre

A home theatre provides a dedicated space for watching movies, sports, and streaming content without impacting the rest of the home. Purpose-built seating layouts, sound control, and integrated technology and smart features elevate the space by creating a comfortable, immersive viewing experience.

Why it’s worth including in your home:

• Creates a dedicated area for entertainment without disrupting other living spaces.
• Improves sound and viewing quality compared to multi-use rooms.
• Keeps media equipment organized and contained.
  

Best suited for: Homeowners with space for a dedicated room who want contained, high-quality entertainment.

Pictured: Kitchen wine storage at the award-winning Duchess custom-built home.

Wine Storage

Wine storage provides a dedicated place to organize and display a collection while keeping bottles stored in proper conditions. Whether integrated as a highlight custom home feature (as seen above at our Duchess project) or designed as a separate wine room (check out Japandia), thoughtful storage elevates the space by combining function with visual interest.

Why it’s worth including in your custom home:

• Keeps wine properly stored and organized.
• Can serve as a visual feature when integrated into a main living area.
• Can be designed as a small display or a dedicated wine room, depending on space and needs.
  

Best suited for: Homeowners who collect wine or want a functional feature that can also act as a design focal point.

Energy-Efficient Custom Home Features for North Vancouver Homes

Energy-efficient custom home features help lower long-term operating costs while improving comfort and performance.

In North Vancouver’s coastal climate, these features are key to building homes that remain comfortable and efficient year-round.

Pictured: Solar panels on the roof at Linda Vista custom home by Hasler Homes.

Solar Panels

Solar panels generate electricity directly from sunlight, helping to minimize reliance on the electrical grid and day-to-day energy costs. When planned as part of a custom home design, solar panels can be coordinated with other energy-efficient custom home features, such as EV charging and high-efficiency mechanical equipment.

Why it’s worth including in your custom home:

• Reduces day-to-day energy costs.
• Supports long-term energy efficiency and sustainability.
• Can be integrated cleanly into your home design without impacting aesthetics or functionality.

Best suited for: Homeowners looking to reduce energy use and operating costs over the long term.

Pictured: Advanced building envelope at Haven (Net Zero Lifestyle).

Advanced Building Envelope

An advanced building envelope focuses on insulation, air sealing, and high-performance assemblies to reduce heat loss and heat gain throughout the home. When designed and implemented properly, this energy-efficient custom home feature improves comfort while reducing overall energy use.

Why it’s worth including in your custom home:

• Reduces energy and utility costs.
• Improves year-round comfort by helping to maintain more consistent indoor temperatures.
• Lowers the demand (and wear and tear) on heating and cooling systems, especially in North Vancouver’s climate.
  

Best suited for: Homeowners who want lower energy use, improved comfort, and a home that performs efficiently year-round.

Client Story: Clients who recently built a Net Zero Energy+ home with Hasler Homes in North Vancouver shared with us that they did not need to turn their heat on until December! This highlights the impact a high-performance building envelope can have when designed and built correctly.

Pictured: Hot water on demand system at Linda Vista, a Certified Built Green Home.

On-Demand Hot Water

On-demand hot water systems (tankless water heaters) heat water only when it is needed, rather than storing it in a tank. This energy-efficient custom home feature improves efficiency by eliminating standby heat loss while providing a consistent supply of hot water throughout the home.

Why it’s worth including in your custom home:

• Reduces energy use by heating water only when required.
• Provides consistent hot water for daily use, even during peak demand.
• Frees up mechanical room space compared to traditional tank systems.
  

Best suited for: Homeowners who want a space-saving hot water system that provides consistent hot water and reduces energy use, especially in homes with higher or overlapping hot water demand.

Pictured: Large, high-efficiency windows at Japandia in North Vancouver.

Large High-Performance Windows

Large high-performance windows let in more natural light while reducing heat loss and unwanted heat gain. This feature helps lower energy use by reducing the need for artificial lighting while improving overall home comfort. In addition to performance, oversized windows contribute to a home’s overall look and feel, providing a stunning aesthetic.

Why it’s worth including in your home:

• Increases natural light, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.
• Improves energy efficiency through high-performance insulation and glazing.
• Enhances comfort by limiting drafts and temperature fluctuations (especially near windows).
  

Best suited for: Homeowners who want to prioritize natural light, comfort, and energy efficiency.

Smart Home Features & Technology

Custom smart home features and technology focus on making everyday living more convenient and efficient. When planned early, these systems integrate smoothly into the home’s design and infrastructure.

Pictured: Custom home security features at Linda Vista, including a security camera.

Built-In Security Custom Home Features (Cameras, Doorbell)

Built-in security features integrate cameras, doorbells, and monitoring systems directly into the home’s design rather than adding them later. This approach allows the system to be centrally controlled and coordinated with other smart home features.

Why it’s worth including in your home:

• Ensures cameras and doorbells are positioned for optimal coverage.
• Keeps security devices discreet and integrated into the home’s design.
• Ensures reliable performance without exposed wiring or add-ons.

Best suited for: Homeowners who want dependable security that is built into the home, not added on after the fact.

Pictured: Smart home system control screen at Linda Vista.

Smart Climate Control System

A smart climate control system manages heating and cooling based on zoning and scheduling, helping maintain consistent temperatures and reduce energy use. This energy-efficient feature also allows homeowners to adjust settings remotely when needed, providing simple, convenient control.

Why it’s worth including in your custom home:

• Maintains consistent comfort throughout the home.
• Reduces energy use by adjusting heating and cooling based on occupancy and schedules.
• Provides simple control through a central system or mobile device.

Best suited for: Homeowners who want reliable comfort control and more efficient heating and cooling.

Pictured: Smart lighting in Japandia custom kitchen by Premier Automation and Design.

Smart Lighting

Smart lighting allows homeowners to control brightness and colour temperature through schedules, sensors, and central controls. Lighting can automatically adjust based on time of day or occupancy, while still allowing simple manual control at switches or through an app.

Why it’s worth including in your custom-built home:

• Reduces energy use by turning lights off or dimming them when spaces are not in use.
• Improves comfort by adjusting light levels and warmth throughout the day.
• Keeps lighting consistent and easy to manage across the home.
  

Best suited for: Homeowners who want practical, efficient lighting control without relying on multiple switches or complicated systems.

Flexible & Lifestyle-Driven Spaces

Flexible and lifestyle-driven spaces allow a home to adapt to how it is used day-to-day and over the long term. 

In North Vancouver, these custom home features help homeowners make better use of space as lifestyles and household needs change.

Pictured: Indoor-outdoor living space at Haven (Net Zero Lifestyle) custom home in Lynn Valley, North Vancouver.

Indoor-Outdoor Living Space

An indoor-outdoor living space connects interior living areas with patios or decks, creating one continuous, usable space. When designed with features like outdoor kitchens, built-in heating, and integrated sound or entertainment, this custom home feature extends how and when the space can be used.

Why it’s worth including in your home:

• Expands usable living space beyond the home’s interior.
• Allows outdoor areas to be used comfortably year-round with heating and weather protection.
• Works especially well for North Vancouver and Vancouver homes, where covered outdoor spaces help homeowners make the most of changing weather conditions.
  

Best suited for: Homeowners who enjoy entertaining or want a flexible living space they can use year-round.

Pictured: Home gym and rock climbing wall at Valleyhouse custom home built by Hasler Homes.

At-Home Gym

An at-home gym provides a dedicated space for exercise without relying on shared or off-site facilities. Home-based workout facilities can also incorporate unique custom home features, such as a rock climbing wall or specialized training zones.

Why it’s worth including in your home:

• Makes regular exercise more convenient and accessible.
• Allows the space to be tailored to specific activities or fitness goals.
• Supports long-term use by accommodating equipment or features unique to the homeowner.
  

Best suited for: Homeowners who want a flexible, private workout space designed around their fitness needs.

Pictured: Valleyhouse main house and custom coach house.

Adaptable Spaces for Multi-Generational Living

Adaptable spaces are designed to accommodate changing household needs over time, such as a coach house, secondary suite, or flexible living area. These spaces allow families to stay close and connected while maintaining privacy as needs evolve.

Why it’s worth including in your home:

• Supports multi-generational living while preserving independence and privacy.
• Adapts to changing needs, from growing children to aging family members.
• Allows the home to evolve over time without major renovations.
  

Best suited for: Homeowners who want to plan for long-term flexibility, family growth, or aging in place while keeping loved ones close.

Storage & Everyday Functionality Features

Storage and everyday functionality features can make a noticeable difference in how a home functions day to day. Thoughtful planning and design can help simplify routine tasks and keep frequently used spaces organized.

Pictured: Brightwater laundry room.

Dedicated Laundry Room

A dedicated laundry room provides a defined space for washing, drying, and organizing laundry away from the main living areas. Custom home features like built-in storage, a sink, folding counters, and hanging space elevate the room by making everyday laundry tasks more efficient and contained.

Why it’s worth including in your home:

• Keeps laundry tasks organized and out of sight.
• Improves efficiency with dedicated areas for folding, hanging, and storage.
• Reduces clutter in other parts of the home.
  

Best suited for: Homes where laundry is handled regularly and a functional, well-organized utility space is a priority.

Pictured: Mudroom with built-in storage and bench at Haven (Net Zero Lifestyle).

Large Mudroom with Custom Built-In Storage

A large mudroom with built-in storage creates a practical transition space between the outdoors and main living areas. In North Vancouver homes, where wet weather and outdoor activities are common, this feature helps keep dirt, water, and everyday outdoor gear contained.

Why it’s worth including in your custom home:

• Keeps mud, moisture, and outdoor gear from spreading through the house.
• Provides dedicated storage for coats, shoes, bags, and sports equipment.
• Makes day-to-day routines easier for families with children.
  

Best suited for: Families and active households who need durable storage for outdoor clothing and equipment, and want to keep the rest of the home tidy and dry.

Pictured: Pet wash custom home feature in Linda Vista project.

Pet Wash Station

A pet wash station provides a dedicated area for cleaning pets without using household sinks or tubs. In North Vancouver homes, wet weather and muddy trails make this feature especially useful for managing muddy paws and keeping the rest of the home clean.

Why it’s worth including in your home:

• Keeps mud and water contained in one easy-to-clean area.
• Reduces wear and mess in the main bathrooms.
• Makes routine pet care quicker and more convenient.
  

Best suited for: Homes with dogs or other pets, especially if outdoor activities are part of daily life.

Greg’s Must-Have Custom Home Features List for North Vancouver Homes

After decades of building custom homes on the North Shore, Greg Hasler has seen which custom home features consistently deliver the greatest comfort, functionality, and long-term value.

The list below highlights features that perform well in North Vancouver’s climate, support everyday living, and continue to provide value years after move-in.

Greg’s must-have custom home features include:

1. Hidden walk-in pantry for a clean, functional kitchen
2. Spa-inspired primary ensuite designed for daily comfort and long-term use
3. Walk-in closet with custom storage solutions tailored to real storage needs
4. Advanced building envelope to reduce energy use and improve year-round comfort
5. Indoor-outdoor living space with an outdoor kitchen, built-in heating, sound, and entertainment
6. At-home gym for convenient, private workouts
7. Dedicated laundry room with a folding counter, hanging space, and utility sink
8. Large mudroom with custom storage solutions to manage wet weather and daily gear
9. Concealed blinds to preserve views and maintain clean sightlines
10. Solar panels integrated as part of the overall energy strategy
11. Smart lighting for efficient, flexible control throughout the home
12. Smart climate control for consistent comfort and reduced energy use

Ready to Plan Your Custom Home?

Planning a custom home is about more than choosing features. It’s about making the right decisions early. 

Contact Hasler Homes to discuss which custom home features make sense for your home and how to plan them properly from the start.

Contact Hasler Homes

FAQs About Custom Home Features

Below are answers to some of the most common questions homeowners ask about custom home features.

What custom features add the most value to a house?

The features that add the most value are those that improve daily usability, energy performance, and long-term appeal. Features like a high-performance building envelope, well-designed storage, high-quality kitchens and bathrooms, and flexible living spaces tend to hold their value because they align with what buyers consistently look for. 

In markets like North Vancouver, features that improve comfort and reduce operating costs are especially valuable.

What are the best custom home features for energy efficiency in North Vancouver?

The best energy-efficient features for North Vancouver include an advanced building envelope, high-performance windows, on-demand hot water systems, smart climate control, and solar panels when site conditions allow. 

These features work well in a coastal climate by improving comfort, reducing heat loss, and lowering long-term energy use.

How do I decide which custom features are right for my home?

The right custom features depend on how you live, your site conditions, and your long-term plans. Factors like family size, daily routines, and North Vancouver’s climate all play a role.

Working with an experienced builder like Hasler Homes helps ensure features are planned early and tailored to your lifestyle, budget, and property.