Designing your dream home is one of the most rewarding projects that you would ever face. It’s your chance to create a space that reflects your lifestyle, future plans, as well as your values. However, building a home from the ground up can be a little bit complicated. From big picture decisions like layout and style to the smaller details such as the lighting and the materials that you use, every choice is an important one.
Photo by Expect Best
Whether you are starting with a blank plot of land or you are remodeling your existing home, we’re going to have a look at some of the key phases from concept to construction and help you to make confident, informed decisions along the way.
Define Your Vision and Priorities
Start by getting a clear picture of what it is that you actually want to achieve.
You need to think past just the square footage or the number of bedrooms that you are picturing. Focus on how you want to live in the space.
You should be thinking about what you need from this home today and what you are going to need from it in the next five, ten, or twenty years. Do you ideally want to have an open concept, or are you somebody who prefers to have defined rooms for all your purposes? What natural light or outdoor access do you want to have?
Before you start building, you should ask yourself many questions. You should consider the size of your family, whether you are working from home, and whether you’re going to be entertaining frequently in your home.
You also need to think about adding plenty of storage. Create a list of all your must-haves and your nice-to-haves. This list is going to help you get started as you start planning things in more detail.
Work with the Right Design and Build Professionals
Vision is defined; you need to make sure that you are bringing in the right professionals to turn your ideas into plans.
Architects help you turn your needs into a practical design and plan. They’ll also examine zoning laws, light, airflow, and aesthetics. Designers usually focus on internal flow and finishes, whereas builders handle the execution of your project, such as the timelines in the construction.
When choosing these professionals, make sure you choose those who have a track record of homes similar to what you want. Ask for references and look at their past projects. Communication is important; your team of professionals needs to understand what your end goal is and be able to offer you smart solutions without pushing their preferences onto your plan.
Plan the layout Around Your Lifestyle.
The layout of your home is going to affect how you feel about it; it’s also going to impact the function of everyday life. Good designs will support your routine, reduce clutter, and also make every square foot count.
You need to think about things like the position of the kitchen; it should be near the entryways so that you can have easy grocery unloading. The bedrooms should ideally be away from any noisy areas, such as the living room, and you need to make sure you are adding plenty of storage throughout, including closets, cabinets, and built-ins.
You also need to think about natural light and how each room connects to the outdoors. Having careful window placement, patio access, or a sunroom can change how your home feels.
Choose Materials That Match Your Long-Term Goals
The materials that you use are one of the most important decisions that you will make in your design process. Not only does it affect the way that your home will look, but it also impacts the durability, maintenance needs, and long-term costs of your home. When you are choosing the materials, you need to think about the weather conditions in your area, how long you want them to last, and how you are going to look after them. Sustainability and energy efficiency are also things that you might want to consider..
For exterior features like your windows, siding, and especially the roof, durability should be a top priority. Your roof takes on the full force of weather in every season: snow, rain, wind, and sun. It’s not the place that you need to be cutting corners.
This is why hiring a reputable roofing contractor becomes essential. The quality of your roofing material matters, but even the best shingles are going to fail if they aren’t installed properly. If you talk to and work with a professional contractor, they will be able to make sure that your roof is installed correctly, meets the code requirements, and stands up to time and climate.
They will also be able to help you choose the right materials for your home’s design. Whether it is architectural shingles, metal panels, or tile roofing, it affects not only the performance of your home but also impacts the way that it looks. A good contractor will be able to help with both.
Budget Smart: Plan to be Flexible
It is very common for home builds to go over budget; however, you can minimize that risk when you have a good plan and smart choices in place. Start by breaking up your budget into categories, including site prep, design, materials, labor, permits, and contingency.
Be realistic about what you are able to afford and make sure you have some wiggle room left for any unexpected costs. This should be between 10 and 15% of your overall budget. Some decisions may need to change once construction begins, so if you are flexible, it means that you are able to adapt without feeling stressed.
Focus your spending where it matters most, so things like foundational systems, your plumbing, HVAC, and electrical installation, windows, and roofing. These parts are difficult and expensive to change later. You can always change the cosmetic features later down the line.
Finally
Designing your dream home means that you need to have careful planning in place, be a little bit creative, but also be able to deal with problems. It takes time and effort; however, the result is a space that is built solely for you.
Start by having a clear vision in place and working with experienced professionals. Make smart material choices and focus on quality over the way it looks. Never underestimate the value of having long-lasting systems in place, especially when it comes to your roof. If you are planning to build a new home or a major renovation, make sure that you partner with trusted contractors early in the process. It’s one of the best decisions that you are going to make for your future home.
Do you know someone who might enjoy this article or would find it useful? Share it!
