See the handy vacuum under the sink at the No. 8 home constructed by Dan Stauffer of Wild River Construction? It’s right where you need it most.

And instead of lugging a big device around the house, you may want to consider a central vacuum system featured in Dan Bailey’s No. 5 home. With the new “Hide-A-Hose,” it’s simple to put that hose away. The suction whips the hose right into the wall for storage. Each inlet can cover up to 2,300 square feet.

When you’re finished, the suction from the central vacuum power unit retracts the hose.