Built-In Luxury Features: Are They Worth It?

Homes are no longer simply homes. They’re classrooms, personal offices, multimedia entertainment and production hubs, places of business, gyms and more. That shifting landscape of homeownership has resulted in the addition of new luxurious built-in features, further limiting the need of homeowners to step out the front door if they don’t want to. Should they? Probably. Times, however, are a changing and even if a homeowner still holds a gym membership or likes the social connection that comes from in-person teaching or film screenings, they love the ability to opt out if they’re not feeling it.
 
Appliance manufacturers, tech companies, builders and media corporations have mostly conceded to the consumer demand for in-home luxury. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular recent home innovations that are increasing in popularity with homeowners and examine their potential for savings and future ROI (return on investment).
 


The Built-In Coffee Maker
Like a big cup of joe to get the morning started right? Maybe a built-in coffee or espresso machine is just what the doctor ordered. Built-in coffee makers are known for their greater temperature control, automated customization options, space saving and, of course, smart options which allow you to operate or amend previous selections from your bed with your smartphone. If you’re a one cup a day kinda guy or gal, investment in a built-in unit which averages between $3,500 and $7,000 dollars may not be the most solid investment. If you drink a lot of coffee, however, or you’re more interested in its future appeal to buyers… it might be worth it. While I couldn’t find any specific studies, a quick search over on the Google indicates that built-in coffee makers can and do add value to your kitchen and thus your home.


 
A Built-in Pet Kennel
Built in dog kennels have increased in recent years, fueled by the rise of Doggo Culture in the late 2010s. Dogs are everywhere now! For better or worse, this has led to a complete reexamination of how pets fit into the home and just how likely they are to be there in the first place.  In 1988, homes that owned at least one pet represented about 56% of the population. As of 2024, that number had risen to 66%.  65.1 million households own a dog, representing the highest levels of ownership for any domestic animal. Cats are a not so close second at 46.5 million households. While I’ve never even thought about a built-in crate or kennel in my home, huge numbers of people have. A quick Amazon search will show how popular said search is. I get it. A cage or kennel is not the nicest looking home piece. So, incorporating it into the furniture or obscuring it in some way to make it less of an eyesore is very appealing. Just know, if it’s something you plan to do, you’ll need to shop around. Be prepared to spend more cash too. Decent units that are safe and somewhat indestructible can cost a pretty penny and the overall return on investment in surprisingly low.
 
 
 
Built in Shelves, Cubicles, and Other Space Saving Storage Options
This is the one that makes the most sense. Of course, when most people think about built-ins of this matter, they think bookshelves. Which makes sense. However, built-in cubbies and lockers in mudrooms have seen an increase as well. Due to high rents and the increasing prevalence of smaller or micro-sized living units, Murphy Beds have seen a surge in popularity. For those unaware with the term, it’s a bed that can be folded or tucked away, freeing up space for daytime activity. Built-in book and storage shelves can definitely add value to a home, assuming they’re well-built and finished. People love the idea of freeing up valuable floorspace.


 
Smart Home features
The ultimate built-in? Fiber optic wiring. As smart fixtures (like thermostats, voice command receivers and automation sensors) and the need for constant and whole-home connectivity increase in prevalence, a rewire or wiring adjustment might be necessary. People want lightning-fast upload, download and streaming speeds. People like voice command, programmable and automated features and, of course, the ability to hide or obscure unsightly cables and wires. Everything from thermostats to light fixtures, sinks, showers, hot tubs, saunas, refrigerators, stoves and previously discussed coffee makers have built-in wireless control features these days. People like the ease of customization via smartphone and not having to get out from under a throw blanket on a cold winter’s day to flip a switch. Smart homes are here to stay and onboard smart home features can add significant value to your investment.


 
Built-in Speakers

Built-in speakers have become a long-standing favorite when it comes to home features, and for good reason. Imagine stepping into the shower and having your playlist follow you seamlessly from the living room to the bathroom, or setting the mood in the kitchen while preparing dinner. Whether it’s blasting classic rock during a Saturday cleanup or streaming a podcast while folding laundry, whole-house audio makes it easy to stay connected to what you love.

For tech-savvy and music-loving buyers, built-in speakers add significant value to a home. Even better, they can be integrated with other smart features—like lighting or home assistants—to create a truly customized and modern living experience.

 

 
Conclusion
In conclusion, built-in luxury features can increase convenience and space while upping the market appeal and value of your home. Which is great news for a resell. Some features are valued more than others. Some are more niche than others. It’s never a bad idea to consult with a builder, craftsman or real estate professional (hi!) to see just how much adding luxury built-ins to your home can affect its resell value and return on investment.