4 Steps To Designing Your Dream Home In A ‘Financially Savvy’ Way

Published on 02/13/2023
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Owning a home you can design yourself is a fantastic opportunity. You get to design a room that is ideally suited to your tastes and way of life. But where do you even begin? How do you make decisions about what to put in your house and how do you draw out blueprints that a builder or architect can use? You don’t need to be an expert to create the ideal home, so don’t stress. Simply follow a few easy steps to translate your idea into detailed drawings that a contractor may use. This article will walk you through the six processes of home design and assist you in creating the house of your dreams.

Design The Perfect Window Seat All On Your Own

Design The Perfect Window Seat All On Your Own

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Determine your budget for designing a home

Although it is the least enjoyable aspect of home design, this step is crucial. Every other choice you make will be influenced by your budget.

Expenses for a custom house design can mount up rapidly. You’ll probably need to have difficult conversations during the design process about which wishlist items you actually need and which ones are unfeasible.

You should budget money for:
– Architect fees
– Building permit fees
– Inspections
– Site work
– Foundation
– Framing
– Interior and exterior finishes
– HVAC, plumbing, and electric
– Driveway and deck

Budget a portion of your spending for unforeseen issues. Nothing ever goes exactly as you expect, and you don’t want an unforeseen problem to push you over budget.

Think about house placement

You must choose a location for your home before you can begin designing it.

The layout of your home’s interior depends on where it is on the property and how it is orientated. The placement of each room may be influenced, for instance, by the fact that some sides of the home will receive more natural light than others.

Learn about local building codes before you make any judgments. There can be limitations on the location and style of construction of your home.

Consider energy conservation. Direct sunlight will cut down on heating bills in a cool environment. It is advantageous to locate the house in an area with greater shade in a hotter environment.

Tall hedges and trees can offer shade and act as a windbreak. Remember that as smaller trees grow, they will block more sunlight. Give the trees room to grow unless you want to take them out.

Drainage and sewage pipes may be affected by hills on the property. Rainwater runoff needs to be channeled away from your home’s foundation if you’re at the foot of a hill. You might need to install a sewage pump if you live at the top of a hill. Both may raise your expenses.

Think about your home’s access. A long driveway or additional grading may increase costs. If you anticipate needing other structures, like a shed, on your property in the future, consider where they will be situated in relation to the house.

Consider the view one last time. While enjoying your morning coffee, what would you like to observe outside the window?

Match your home to your lifestyle

You have the opportunity to construct something specifically suited to your way of life when you design your own home. Consider your ideal home in the context of your lifestyle. For instance, is it better to have a large or little home? How many bedrooms are necessary?

Where does your family typically congregate? Everyone remembers to account for the kitchen and the bedrooms when making a design, but make sure you have a place to unwind as well.

What kind of storage do you require? Where is it needed? For instance, do you require a large closet in the mudroom to store winter clothing or outdoor gear, or can the majority of your closet space be found in the bedrooms?

Anyone who works from home? How much room will your contemporary home office require?

Choose the style of your home

You don’t need to have your house completely planned out just yet, but you should know what design you prefer.

Do you envision a more contemporary or historic design, for instance? Traditional homes are typically composed of materials like brick, wood, stucco, or stone and have tall, pointed roofs with gables. Small windows and vibrant colors are present.

Muted hues, big windows, and clean lines are common characteristics of modern homes. They might make use of concrete or reinforced steel.

The floor plan is another significant distinction. A typical home’s layout separates the area into rooms with distinct functions. With fewer dividing walls and spaces that have various uses, modern homes frequently have open concept floor layouts.

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