Keeping ergonomics in mind, there’s nothing more frustrating than too little counter space in a kitchen. Countertops should be around 25 inches, with a slight overhang to prevent sauce and mess from dripping directly onto your lower cabinets.

Especially for those who enjoy entertaining friends, kitchens are a common place for people to spend time while eating meals or just during social interactions. For this reason many people choose to remodel their kitchen design above all other custom home alterations. Some people may focus on extending the size with large home additions, but smaller design changes can also create a completely new atmosphere for a kitchen. Besides space for a dining room, table 84% of owners consider walk-in pantries and a double sink necessities. They’re not huge alterations compared to some, but can still have a great effect on the space.

Kitchen remodeling services are one of the most requested home additions, and can help raise the value of your home. Even minor and mid-range kitchen remodeling projects have an average ROI of 81.8%. Modern kitchen designs offer new ‘green’ appliances that can help reduce your impact on the environment, and save you money. More than 84% of homeowners consider a walk-in pantry, table space for eating, and a double sink essential to a well functioning kitchen.

If you don’t have room to add a full addition to your home, then doing some work to your basement can open up an entire new area in your home. From man caves to child playrooms, finished basements offer exciting new possibilities for homeowners. Plus, 66% of homebuyers want a partial or full basement when making a new home purchase.

Okay, this one is a lot better. Once again, new technologies make it possible to install certain bathroom fixtures that clean themselves. For instance, new products automatically mist bathrooms with anti-bacterial spray. Heated floors and new blower drying systems make it possible to keep bathrooms dry and moisture-free. In turn, this prevents mold and grime buildup. These are great features to include in a full bathroom on the first floor (a feature 81% of homeowners want) — the bathrooms that get the most day-to-day use.

When it comes to home additions and quality remodeling, some things are obvious. (For instance, bigger is better. In fact, adding 1,000 square feet to your home increases its value by as much as 30%.) What is not obvious is how to add color and a certain oomph to homes — and particularly kitchens — without overdoing it. One emerging trend is simply to paint cabinets. “The most classic choices include white, off-white, and gray,” The Tennessean writes. It is becoming more popular to paint cabinets “a contrasting accent color, like charcoal gray, black, or even blue or green,” the publication continues. Choosing metallic accents for countertops and lighting fixtures is also a trendy choice at the moment.

Kitchen design can be simple, fun, and a valuable investment down the line, too. Revamp kitchens with more cabinetry, open shelving, painted cabinets, and metallic accents.

Another important step when building custom homes that are suitable for all ages is to install fall-proof features. Even something as simple as a full bathroom on the first floor (a feature already desired by 81% of homeowners) can do wonders for preparing homes for senior living. Some even use the adjoining room as an office, nursery, sewing room, or den before converting it to a master bedroom later in life. To keep homes senior-friendly, cover kitchen and bathroom floors with tile with at least some texture, and, when applicable, make sure any carpeting is low to the ground with a tight weave.

Home design isn’t just about looks. More Baby Boomers want to build or purchase homes where they can grow old — some senior-friendly adjustments, like lever and paddle handles, a full bath on the first floor, and slip-proof tile makes it possible.