A Ho-Ho-Home for the Holidays

December is here, and as the song goes, there’s no place like home for the holidays. For new-home buyers who want to ensure they are well-equipped for holiday celebrations, Deerfield, Ill.-based Meritus Homes offers a number of suggestions for features and finishes to consider in the home design process.

“We build semi-custom and custom homes at all our communities, so our buyers have the flexibility to think about any and every facet of their lifestyle as we take them through the process of creating their ideal home,” said Brian Brunhofer, president of Meritus Homes. “Whether we tailor one of our proven floor plans to a buyer’s needs or design a completely custom home for them, we make sure they choose the features that make the home perfect for their lifestyle year-round. And that can be as specific as weighing how they spend the holidays, which for many is a very important time for family and traditions.”

Brunhofer pointed to a number of floor plan designs and features available at Meritus’s new-home communities across Chicagoland, including The Reserve of St. Charles, just three miles north of downtown St. Charles, and Ravenna of Long Grove in northwest suburban Long Grove, as examples of choices buyers can make to ensure their home is holiday-ready.

Party-Pleasing Floor Plans

“From a big New Year’s Eve bash to a casual family holiday brunch, parties are a big part of the holidays, even for those who might not entertain much the other 11 months of the year,” said Brunhofer, noting that most new-home buyers are already looking for a modern, open layout that naturally provides great flow for a party. “One of the key elements buyers should think about in a party-friendly floor plan is a living space that is open to the kitchen, which lets hosts enjoy time with guests even as they handle last-minute preparations.”

He added that some buyers still appreciate having a separate, formal dining area, particularly for holiday entertaining. “We still see plenty of demand for a traditional dining room,” said Brunhofer. “In fact, one of the best selling plans in our portfolio, the Dunberry, has the best of both worlds – an open kitchen and family room configuration that most families want for their day-to-day lives, as well as a separate dining area for more formal occasions.”

Kitchens For A Crowd

When it comes to the kitchen, Meritus Homes includes a variety of holiday-friendly features in every home it builds, such as a substantial kitchen island that provides an expanse of counter space where helpful guests can be put to work or a casual buffet meal can be served. Additionally, double ovens means there is always plenty of room to handle the holiday ham while simultaneously warming side dishes.

One of the most popular features Meritus offers in its homes is a butler’s pantry adjacent to the kitchen. “This is a great space during the holidays because homeowners have a separate area, out of the way of the bustling kitchen, to set up a bar or serving station,” said Brunhofer. “Plus, the butler’s pantry provides plenty of extra storage for specialty dishes and glassware that might only make an appearance during the holidays.” 

A Place to Rest for a Long Winter’s Nap

Brunhofer noted that comfortable guest accommodations that give privacy to overnight visitors and homeowners alike make holiday gatherings more enjoyable for all. “No one wants to share a bathroom with guests if they don’t have to, or ask visitors to sleep on the pull-out sofa in the family room,” he said. “Even if buyers don’t plan to create a dedicated guest room, they can make design choices that ensure family or friends will have their own space when they make an extended holiday visit.” 

One option that is especially appealing to buyers with teenage children is a secondary bedroom with an attached bath. “Older kids love having this space, even if it comes with the understanding they’ll give their room up to overnight guests,” Brunhofer said. Alternatively, Meritus offers designs with a first-floor den and an adjacent powder room or full bath, which can be utilized as private accommodations for guests without displacing family members.

Topping the Tree

The holiday tree is a cherished part of the season for many families, and according to Brunhofer the 10-foot first-floor ceilings included in every home Meritus builds offers just the right space for a “Griswold Family”-sized tree as the centerpiece of holiday décor. And for those who go all-out with a super-tall tree, Meritus can work with buyers to include a vaulted or volume ceiling in their living space, or even create a two-story family room like the one featured in the builder’s Prescott floor plan. 

“This season is all about enjoying family and creating lasting memories,” said Brunhofer. “We hope to add to those memories by giving our buyers a home that is the perfect backdrop for their holiday traditions.”

Meritus Homes was founded by homebuilding veterans Brian and Karen Brunhofer. The couple has more than 30 years of combined homebuilding experience, during which time they led teams that delivered more than 10,000 homes to the Chicago area. Meritus Homes is currently building in Long Grove, Naperville, Inverness and St. Charles.