TRENDY NEW HOME GADGETS? MAYBE NOT!

Here are a few new home “gadgets” that are fast becoming necessities.

Consider a hot water dispenser at the kitchen sink. A handy tool if you are a hot tea drinker.

And how about a pot filler over the stove. If your sink is in the kitchen island and the stove on the back wall, a pot filler is essential.

Install a vegetable steamer in your kitchen counter. It cooks food in a delicious and healthy manner and doubles for a vegetable sink. We use one made by Wolf/Sub-Zero.

Heated floors are a treat in tiled bathrooms, especially in the Colorado winter. And while we are on the subject, a heated driveway is also a wonderful winter asset. No reason to shovel snow if it can be avoided.

I really enjoy a lighted make-up mirror. Pick one up at Bed Bath and Beyond and have the electrician pre-wire for it before drywall. Give some thought to the height. The mirror will actually be higher than the electrical box.

A rain shower head is a must, and don’t overlook the pleasure of numerous shower heads in your shower.

If you plan to grow old in a two-story home, consider installing an elevator or at least frame in a place where one could be added later.

Cabinet drawers can now house your microwave, your refrigerator and/or your dishwasher. Talk to the cabinet designer and see what would give you the most functional convenience. What I though was going to be a vegetable refrigerator drawer has turned into the dandiest long neck beer cooler. Hey! It works at our house!

And speaking of coolers, the latest and hottest kitchen appliance is a wine cooler. Sub Zero has a good selection.

Electronic gadgets are endless. Look into programming your lighting, your audio systems, and more. With a “smart house” you can drive up your driveway, open the garage door, set the lighting, and turn on the music and the fireplace with one touch. Everything is ready but pouring the wine; and it’s waiting in the cooler!

Written by Marianne Wise for Timber Ridge Properties