The Best Investments We Made When Building Our Modern Farmhouse

When we tell people we built our home while working full time, the first question is usually how—but the second is always, “What would you do again?”

Because when you’re building, every upgrade feels like a big decision. Costs add up fast, and it’s hard to know what’s actually worth it versus what just looks good on paper.

Now that we’re living in our home, there are a handful of investments we would choose again every single time. These are the ones that didn’t just add value—they improved how we live day-to-day.

Here’s what made the cut:

1. 9-Foot Basement Pour

This is one of those upgrades that doesn’t feel exciting in the moment—but it completely changes the space.

A standard basement can feel a little… tight. Ours feels like a true extension of the home.

• More natural light with taller windows

• Feels open instead of cramped

• Gives you flexibility for future finishing

If there’s even a small chance you’ll finish your basement someday, this is 100% worth doing upfront. It’s not something you can easily change later.

2. Geothermal Unit

This was definitely one of the bigger investments—but also one of the smartest long-term decisions we made.

• Lower monthly energy costs

• More consistent heating and cooling

• Energy efficient and environmentally friendly

It’s one of those things you don’t “see,” but you feel it every single day—and over time, it pays you back.

Although we have loved this decision (and at the time we did it, it had a 30% tax credit for install), there are some CONS I have heard people say as well:

• Higher upfront cost – one of the more expensive upgrades during the build

• Slower ROI – savings happen over time, not immediately

• Complex install – requires drilling/digging and more planning

• Specialized repairs – fewer service providers if something goes wrong

• Not ideal for every lot – depends on land and layout

While we’d still choose geothermal again, it’s definitely one of those decisions where you need to weigh the long-term benefits against the upfront cost and complexity.

3. Double Shower Heads in the Master

This one leans more toward luxury—but it’s the kind you actually use. I thought my husband was cray cray for wanting this, but I will admit I was wrong (for once). It's so convenient and with a 5 and 2 year old, very easy to put them both in there to "play" and clean up after dinner.

It’s a small detail that elevates your everyday routine more than you’d expect.

4. Retractable Faucets in the Master Bathroom

This is one of those subtle upgrades that ends up being incredibly practical. Ours are from Delta and can be found here:

Retractable Faucets

I wish we would have installed these in every sink in our house! It’s not flashy, but once you have it, you won’t want to go back.

5. A Wide Front Porch (7 Feet wide) + Porch Swing

This might be one of our favorite parts of the entire house. We intentionally went wider than standard, and it made all the difference.

• Plenty of space for furniture and movement

• Feels welcoming and functional—not just decorative

• Perfect for slow mornings, evenings, and hosting

• Huge plus - you can storm watch peacefully on the porch swing :)

6. 10-Foot Ceiling in the Kitchen / Vaulted Ceiling in the Living Room

If there’s one place to prioritize ceiling height—it’s the kitchen & living spaces.

• Makes the space feel significantly larger

• Adds natural light and openness

• Creates a true “wow” moment when you walk in

We spend so much time in these areas, and the height completely changes how it feels! I toured A LOT of new home builds, and this was one of those things that stuck out with me in every home we walked through.

7. 3-Car (Single) Garages

Instead of a traditional multi-bay garage, we opted for three single garages—and this was such a good decision for how we live.

• More flexibility for storage and organization

• Easier access (no shuffling cars around)

• Great for separating vehicles, side by side, tools, etc.

We were a little worried how it would look from the exterior front of the house, because to be honest I had never seen a 3-single-car-garage where the garage doors faced to the side and not the same way as the front door, but the depth didn't effect the overall look of the house that much from the front at all!

Here's an example of how far the garage portion jets out compared to the rest of the house from the front.

Final Thoughts

If we had to sum it up, the best investments weren’t necessarily the most expensive—they were the ones that improved how our home functions and feels every day.

When you’re building, it’s easy to get caught up in trends or what looks good in photos. But the real question is:

Will this make our life better on a daily basis?

These did—and we’d choose every single one again!