How to Design Your Own Home
28 Jan 2021 Custom Building
If you have ever dreamt of designing and building a home that is perfectly suited to you and your family, talking to a professional home builder can help you learn how it might be possible for you to design your own home. Designing a custom home can be exciting, but it can also be a complicated, expensive process, so it is important to work with a builder who can help you understand what options might be within your budget and how to make the most out of your money. At Northwest Construction, we can help you design your own home and offer our experience in custom home building as a resource for you to pull ideas from.
Tips for Designing Your Own House
Even without any certification as a home designer or architect, it is possible to have a hand in the design of your custom home. Some tips to help you get started on the design of your home include:
1. Create a Budget
It can be fun to start dreaming right away, but the first step that any home builder would recommend is to start by working out a reasonable budget. Your budget might not need to be exact to start, but having a general idea of what you can spend will help you to keep your home design in scope and prevent heartbreak later on.
2. Start with the Basics
The best way to start designing your home is with a list of bullet points. Begin writing down a couple of separated lists of what you want to be included in your home. The rooms that you want, design elements, additional features, and separated categories for needs versus wants will help you to narrow down what to include. It is also worth considering what kind of land you want to build on and the requirements for a location if you do not already have a property scouted out. This process will also help you to prioritize your desires so that you will know where to make sacrifices when the time comes. It can help to seek inspiration from other homes by reflecting on ones you have visited and by driving around and looking at homes, or by viewing past projects in a builder’s portfolio.
3. Sketch a Rough Layout
You do not need to use any fancy design programs to put your floorplan together. Sketch out a simple layout for your home of rooms and flow, taking into account that the floorplan could change depending on input from your builder. Having your floorplan drawn out will help you to get a better idea for the end shape and flow of your home. It will also help you to realistically understand how much space you have for different rooms and features.
4. Consider Your Family’s Future
If your family is growing, it is important to think about how to factor that into your home’s design. Think about any aging loved ones who might need closer attention and how you might be able to accommodate them in your home. If you are planning on growing old in the home you are designing, consider how you can make your later years more comfortable and make it easier to care for your home.
5. Consider Surroundings
Once you know where your home is going to be located, be sure to take into account the land on which you will be building. Be sure to consider the positioning of windows for the sake of natural light, access to the outdoors through patios and garden doors, and any beautiful views that might be available to ensure you can get the most out of your new home. Some types of land might also be restricted on the size of the home that can be built or unable to include features such as basements, so be sure to look into your land’s capabilities when designing your home.
If you would like to learn more about how to design your own home, or to find out more information about our home building services and how we can assist you with your dream home, please contact the team at Northwest Construction. We would love to hear from you.
