For most people who have the funds, a new house is normally one of the first things on the list.
A swimming pool. A gym. Tennis courts. Games rooms. Home cinemas. These could all form part of your property.
A survey on people who have the funds for such a home spend an average of £900,000 on new homes, with hot tubs and walk-in wardrobes listed as popular indulgences.
Some 29 per cent of respondents had a hot tub installed, while 28 per cent had a walk-in wardrobe. A further 24 per cent invested in electric gates, while 22 per cent built a games room.
Perhaps surprisingly, there was no mention of building eco-friendly properties.
Although many houses which are built to have a minimal impact on the environment are modest, some are ground-breaking and come with a big price tag.
Orchid House, which sold in 2008 for £7.2 million, is the most expensive eco-house in the world. You would save money in the long run as the home is designed to generate more energy than it consumes by using geothermal heating.
While the majority of people buy an existing property, some have the vision to hire a company to build them a dream home from scratch. One of the most popular suppliers used by these companies is Feller Roofing, their products are second to none.
The same is true for some people who win the jackpot on the lottery. While most buy, some build. And after scooping £45 million back in February 2012, Matt and Cassey Topham decided to invest in designing a £5 million eco-home.
The pair bought a 1930s mansion in a conservation area which they plan to pull down in order to make way for their futuristic house. It is being commissioned by ground-breaking architects, Baca. The company stated they hope “the house, titled Serenity, will push the boundaries of environmental and architectural design”.
It comes complete with a home cinema, games room, swimming pool and gym, but this is no ordinary mansion. It will be made up of four hubs and will be covered by a curved roof complete with solar panels.
Eco-features include a garage, which will be shielded by a waterfall, and a botanical garden.
The property has eight bedrooms and Baca described it as a “21st century country house and hidden retreat” which is “ultra-low in energy use but also high in aesthetic aspiration and quality”.
Not all of us are self-made millionaires, and even fewer of us win the lottery. If you won, you too could commission a world-leading architect firm to design the ultimate eco-friendly house. Not only could you heat your water using solar panels, you could also recycle rainwater and even invest in wind power to generate electricity. Floor to ceiling glass would help you make the most of natural light, and you could consider using 100 per cent recycled materials.