Several things, some small, some big:
BIG -- Major! Hire your landscape designer along with your architect and contractor. Have the three work as a team FROM THE BEGINNING. You will save yourself all kinds of headaches, and the landscape plan can maximize savings. Like if your contractor is digging a trench, the irrigation, outdoor wiring and such can be laid in the same trench. Stones can be harvested from the construction site for later use in building garden walls, pathways, etc. Land grading can happen when the heavy equipment is on site, instead of bringing the back-hoe back in. Certain plants and trees can be marked to "save," giving your garden a head start. Most importantly, a landscape designer can help to situate your house on the property to maximize views, maximize outdoor land use, and save energy. Plus you get a more cohesive indoor/outdoor flow.
Other Stuff:
Hose bibs everywhere. Better to have lots of winterized hose bibs than have to drag long hoses around. Even if you have irrigation installed, you will need hoses to water potted plants, wash to car, etc. etc.
Exterior electrical outlets everywhere. Think landscape lighting. Think holiday decorations. Think outdoor dinner parties. Think what a pain it is to have to run a big orange extension cord through the snow just to get lights up in that tree by your driveway.
Vacuum cleaners: Own two. Keep one upstairs, and one downstairs. Worth every penny!
Dog/Cat door: If you have pets, where is the dog/cat door going to go? Needs to be someplace unobtrusive. Also don't cheap out on this, the cheap ones get dirty and break down. There are "step-through" dog doors that are better for you pet, especially as they age. Make sure it has a double weather curtain.
Computers: Designated closet at chest height (no bending!!!) for all your computer stuff -- modems, wireless routers, etc. Ugly to look at, a pain to deal with. Make it both easy access and hidden.
And speaking of easy access -- electrical outlets, hose bibs, the controls for the irrigation -- there is NO REASON these things need to be 6" from the floor. Universal Design principals put them higher, and as you and our general population ages, you will find this makes life easier for you, and your house easier to sell.
Stairs -- Same thing, make the rise 3"-4" instead of 6". As people age, stairs become an issue. With shallow stair steps, it's more accessible for you and potential home buyers.
Doorways -- Make them wider. They don't have to be crazy-wide, but wide enough to pass through with a walker or wheel chair.
Washer/Dryer -- Elevate them so they are easy access. Use space underneath for long-term storage (drawers or pull-out shelves), and keep laundry supplies at chest level for easy access. Build in a laundry sink, indoor drying racks, and a large folding/drying table. People (meaning "guys") often give poor attention to the laundry area, which is heavily used.
Closets -- Cedar line the back walls to keep away moths.
Recycling/Composting -- Where will that be collected? How much are you willing to carry in one trip? Decide if you want many trips with a light load, or less trips with a heavier load.
Speaking of compost, plan a spot for that away from the house, and probably screened.
Kitchen Garden -- this is part of how your house is situated on the land. The kitchen garden if you want one shouldn't be too out of the way, needs to be pretty in it's design, and obviously needs sun and irrigation. It can and should be incorporated into your overall home/garden design.
Great thread, thanks everyone for the great ideas!
Q
Window treatment for glass wall.
Q