We all hope to live in an amazing home when we grow up. Many of us dream of designing our own home. I certainly had visions of creating my own ‘Grand Design‘ when I was a kid. The idea of designing my home from scratch that reflected my unique style and met my individual needs was thrilling. I loved tuning in and watching Kevin McCloud follow home-builders as they created their dream homes. It was my favourite show on TV.
As we all learnt from watching Grand Designs, there is a substantial cost and time investment involved when it comes to building your own home, not to mention the emotional investment required. So it is super important to do your homework, plan for all eventualities, have a contingency fund that is much larger than you think you need and expect the timelines to slip repeatedly. But there are a few more things to consider when designing your house. Let’s take a look at what they are so that you are well-equipped to turn your vision into a reality with as little drama as possible.
Things to Consider When Designing Your House
1. Make Sure Your Location is Correct
The first thing to consider when designing your house is location. Acquiring a piece of land is a necessary first step before you can start designing the luxury home of your dreams. It’s important to deeply scrutinize the site to make sure it is the perfect location for your new home. Examine the site meticulously, ensuring it’s sufficiently level and will provide a solid foundation.
The soil conditions profoundly impact the foundation of the house. If the soil condition is unsuitable, you might incur additional costs for grading and developing the land. This could prove to be expensive and energy-draining. So, it’s vital to thoroughly investigate the land and refrain from hastily buying due to an attractively low price.
It’s also worth checking that the land isn’t on a known flood plain and checking to make sure there are no plans to build close by in the future. The last thing you want is a shopping centre popping up right next door and destroying your beautiful uninterrupted views.
2. Work on the House Program
This is the phase where you decide everything that will be included in your house. Often referred to as the ‘program’ by architects, it consists of a comprehensive list of all the rooms you wish to have in your home. Therefore, it’s essential to contact a building designer to develop the first draft of your program. It is always worth bringing in professionals to help you master your interior design project management.
Begin by identifying the fundamental rooms. Following that, draft a separate list for any supplementary rooms, considering that your budget will have the final say. This list should reflect the size of your family. Consider factors such as:
- The number of bedrooms required including a master bedroom
- Whether bedrooms should have closets and bathrooms
- The size of the living room
- Whether the kitchen should be open or closed
If necessary, remember to include storage spaces, garages, workspaces, and outdoor areas like patios, balconies, or roof decks. Once you have everything noted down, drawing up the floor plan will be much easier, whether you decide to do it yourself or hire an architect.
3. Prioritize Your Requirements
In your new family home, you might consider incorporating various amenities and features. These could include a rooftop deck or swimming pool, setting up a small generator for power backup, or designing a room dedicated to gaming or fitness. Additionally, you might find the need for extra storage space or a study room or home office.
However, while all these elements can be beneficial, it’s vital for a homeowner to prioritise correctly. The expenditure on a swimming pool, for example, could be better used for other home improvements that add more value to your home. Consider making eco-friendly home upgrades to make your home more sustainable and potentially save you money down the line.
4. Consider the Role of Each Zone
As a first-time home designer, the temptation to create something bold and fashionable can be strong. However, consider each room’s practicality to fully enjoy your newly designed living space. For instance, if you’re part of a big family or regularly entertain large groups, your dining room’s design should prioritise space and ample seating arrangements. Similarly, a home office in constant use should feature well-arranged storage areas and excellent lighting.
5. Plan for the Future
It is always a good idea to consider any changes to your family situation in the future and how this might affect the way you use your home. Will you need to accommodate college students returning home, provide space for grandchildren coming to visit, care for ageing parents, or even house extended family during festive seasons? Similarly, if you’re planning to transition from a traditional office job to running your own home-based business, your custom home design should incorporate a productive home office or a versatile space.
Constructing a home is a multifaceted process. Even the best-laid plans can quickly be derailed if you do not pay attention to the main things to consider when designing your house. Hopefully, now that you know what they are you will feel much better equipped when it comes time to start work on your very own Grand Design.