Everyone has their own ideas about what makes a happy home but some standout attributes are universally desired by homeowners the world over. If you can tick off at least 20 of these bucket-list design features, you might just have a dream home.

From the golden rules of good design to expert tips for a flawless finish, click or scroll to get started...

It seems a given that doors and windows should work well but the devil is always in the detail. The tactile elements of a house are the key to living comfortably; you should be able to open and close all your doors and windows without a struggle. They should feel smooth and fit beautifully without gaps, drags or drafts and keep the noise and the elements out.

Like fashion, interior design trends go in and out of style, so it's important to have some individual touches that you will always love, regardless of what the colour of the year is.

Add plants, artwork, photographs and even statement walls in your favourite colours and you'll love your rooms forever.

Artwork available from Desenio.

Getting a flawless finish is the final icing on the cake when you redecorate. It can be difficult to get the perfect look throughout your house but when you do, you know you can sit back and relax.

The key to perfect paintwork, cornices, panelling and woodwork is to prepare your surfaces correctly and use the right paint for the job. Plus, masking tape is your best friend!

Featured paint from GoodHome by B&Q.

A cosy sofa to cuddle up on is essential in the living room. Not only does it need to complement the décor but it's imperative that it's the optimal size, perfectly plush and practical for the whole family.

Whether you prefer a classic style or a modern look, if you love your sofa, you'll be truly content.​

Featured sofa from Loaf.

Smooth, warm, textured or rough underfoot? Your flooring is highly individual depending on how you and your family use your home.

Light-coloured carpets might be perfect for some and a complete nightmare for others. Whatever you choose, though, it should be comfortable, well insulated and hardwearing.

Featured flooring from Tapi.

A waterfall shower or similar luxury bathroom experience is something we all dream of. Beyond the specialised shower head and cool décor, you need to have a never-ending supply of hot water and great pressure to gift that indulgent hotel-bathroom feel every day.

While custom sinks might be flight of fancy, a quality shower will always be a good investment.

Featured shower from Drench.

Whether you've got friends staying or you need a separate room for family members to retreat to if they're ill, having an extra bedroom that's actually spare is incredibly valuable.

Try to resist filling it with clutter, add personality with pictures and ornaments, plus add a good bedside lamp and table so it's a comfortable space for when you need it.

A kitchen island is both a stunning centrepiece and the main hub at the heart of the home. They're where the family can gather for breakfast and where the real fun is had when dinner party guests join their hosts as they prepare the feast.

If you have space to add one, you'll never regret it – it's one of those kitchen trends that isn't going anywhere.

Regardless of the size of your garden – small can be just as beautiful – a manicured section you can enjoy in good weather is a must-have.

Even just a few flowers or veggies planted in beds or a display of potted plants make it into a place where you want to spend time and relax.

This is a nuanced feeling; hard to describe but you'll know when you step through your front door whether a house has good flow or not.

It's achieved with a mix of clever architecture, practical use of space that makes moving through your home effortless and attention to details like colours, lighting, flooring and the placement of doors and windows. It's 100% worth talking to an interior architect before you remodel to get this right.

This is something you'll notice in a house that you own, rather than one you might have rented. The benefit of owning your home is that you can decide to strengthen supporting walls, remove unnecessary ones and know that when you hammer in hooks for pictures or put up shelves, you've got nothing structural to worry about.

If you don't have a garden, a beautiful balcony is the next best thing, giving you the easy option of walking straight out into fresh air. Bonus points if it's decorated with plants or you have a comfy chair, perfect for reading in the afternoon sun.

Whether it's a shed or a summerhouse, a mancave or a garden studio, adding a small garden room creates new options for making the most of your outdoor space.

It means you can have a little retreat that can be utilised all year round for a multitude of uses; even if it's somewhere just to hide away when you need a few minutes to yourself!

Featured garden room from Green Retreats.

If you've had all your white goods in the kitchen or slotted in wherever there's space before, you'll know how a practical utility room can be life-changing.

Plenty of storage options will keep everything organised and out of the way, plus it's ideal for busy families and separating laundry from social living spaces.

Being able to park your car inside a garage, or at least on the driveway, not only brings a potential reduction in your insurance bills but peace of mind. It also offers space to keep all those annoying essentials that houses seem to collect – kids' scooters, old bikes, mechanic's tools and so on – out of sight.

Never has a hardworking home office been such a luxury. Having a dedicated space means you can work from home efficiently and have the feeling of closing the door on your job at the end of the day. It can also double as a place to spend time on your hobbies and passion projects; whether it's a craft room, studio or study, that extra room can be priceless.

A gallery wall for pictures of all your important people, past and present, is a beautiful way to make a house a home. Whether you have it running up the staircase, or displayed in the front room, it's something you can really individualise to work as a memory board and a stunning design feature.

Good quality appliances not only make life easier on a day-to-day basis but they're also more environmentally friendly and will save money on your energy bills. Plus, even the cheapest options cost a fair amount, so if you can splash out on something that will last with a long guarantee, it's worth it.

Who doesn't dream of a walk-in wardrobe? For many of us, it's a goal for our one-day home, but if you have the space, a walk-in offers excellent storage options not just for clothes but handbags and shoes, too.

Plus, it's ideal for couples who get up at different times. There's no need to disturb your sleeping partner as you fumble about at 6 am for your favourite jacket.

Recycling and household waste management are more complicated than ever, so it's worth spending time to devise a system that allows you to easily sort and store plastics, paper, food waste and all the other categories that you might have available.

If designing a new kitchen, consider integrated systems or look for freestanding bins with various compartments to make separating a breeze. In an ideal world, create a dedicated space in a utility room for this essential task.

It sounds boring but when it comes to comfort and heating efficiency, there's nothing like a truly well-insulated home. Insulation can be improved and upgraded as you go and, if you add any extensions, make sure you go for high-quality materials. It'll pay for itself in bills over the next few years.

Artwork you love is something that really makes a home unique and individual to you. Art collections take a while to build up and it's important to buy what you love, not what you think you should like, or what might be valuable in future. Aim to hang pieces on your walls that make you happy and feel free to mix and match.

A vast stretch of cupboards and closets is every homeowner's dream. You want things to be out of the way but still accessible, the storage to look stylish but still offer plenty of room. If you have any secret storage spots in your home, like under the stairs or under the eaves, kit them out with easy-to-access shelves and drawers.

From exposed bulbs to wall sconces and pendants, good lighting is surprisingly hard to achieve. These days, light fixtures are as much a style statement as a necessity, so you want them to look great and make everything else look fabulous, too.

You should aim to have a mix of task lights that brighten areas of your home and mood lighting to soften and provide a relaxing ambience.

Nothing says 'perfect home' like feeling happy when you see it coming into view. Your front door, porch and entryway are the portal into your nest, so make sure they feel welcoming, friendly and well-designed.

Keep woodwork fresh with an annual lick of paint and make sure there's adequate light for the darker months. If you're blessed with a covered porch, a seat to take off muddy shoes will always be handy.

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