What did you indulge in at the house, what did you give up?

We have planned an 11 sqm bathroom upstairs and a 4 sqm bathroom downstairs.

Such sprawling living areas are environmentally actually a disaster *SCNR*

We expect (if the purchase ever goes through) two bathrooms of 4 m² each. One will be enlarged by us, one will get a shower, the other a bathtub. We would not want to do without the tub, although at least I almost exclusively shower -- hopefully soon then in a standing shower .

We have a bathtub, but I exclusively take showers. I relax by working on electronics and other DIY projects in the large workshop in the basement that we have "treated" ourselves to. Everyone is just different.

To save water: A typical house construction today is environmentally a disaster anyway. An incredible amount of water is used in the production and use of cement/mortar and concrete. If you really want to save water, you have to build with clay-straw walls and/or with old stones and lime. And without a cement/concrete foundation. Or just live in the forest with unwashed dreadlocks and a compost toilet.

By the way, a bathtub bath does not mean a full bath to me at all. These example calculations usually compare a bathtub filled to the brim with a 2-minute shower with a small showerhead... Hopefully, this isn’t one of those golden environmental calves like glass bottles that are driven back and forth with a lot of gasoline.

But I think it’s good if people think about the environment at all!

In the end, every environmentally friendly measure means living like a dreadlock in the forest (e.g., vegetarianism-no animal products-vegan-no leather-no makeup-no home remedies-no house-> forest) but that is not the topic. I just find bathtubs stupid and prefer to let myself be sprayed by a rain-like giant shower. Back to topic Another "luxury" we will allow ourselves: An oak staircase in the basement and upstairs. We find the tiled concrete things horrible

Oh, nice, oak staircase. We also have a wooden staircase, but only made from the cheapest wood that was available. (Beech)
To be honest, with the first developer we got a quote from, a wooden staircase was just included as standard. Maybe they had cheaper craftsmen on hand than if they had to produce and deliver a concrete staircase..? Is a concrete staircase always cheaper than wood? No idea.

Oak certainly sounds like a good wood. Durable.

Then I want to join in as well. I am building right now and one constantly asks oneself: "Do I really need this?"

I treated myself to:
- Corner plot with the possibility of two terraces facing south and west
- "On top of the hill", nice view to three sides, one side directly facing fields.
- A lift-and-slide door and four double patio doors in the living area
- Flat roof bay window
- In the attic only floor-to-ceiling windows
- Bus system light. Homematic.
- 150 sqm, way too much for two people. But we are "working" hard on it....
- 9*6 m double garage.
- Access from garage to house.
- 10 minutes to the highway.

I really didn't give anything up, but it would have been nice:
- Orientation of the house to the south and not to the west. So we will rather have afternoon sun in the living room.
- Staircase with exposed concrete. Unfortunately thought of it too late.
- KNX and the complete program.
- Switch contacts in the windows from the factory.
- Many new furniture. For now, the old ones still have to do.

I think we are well positioned.

Greetings, torsan