Most aspiring homeowners have a specific design in mind for their dream home, which they would want to see come true. By now, you must have put much effort into making this dream a reality. One thing to note is that the home designing process is somewhat demanding, meaning you’ll need all the expert advice you can get.
In most places around the globe, the value of the real estate market has risen over the last few years. Home design charges have skyrocketed, adding to the burden of so many other costs. In one way or another, it has weighed down on the average consumer, and it’s for this reason, we saw the need to compile some tips any first-time aspirant in homeownership could use. Before we get right on with it, you must have tangible reasons why you would want to design your own house. Of course, many commercial house plans are readily available online, not to mention the many home design apps available today. But one thing stands out: the fulfillment you get from knowing that you designed your own house. This having been iterated, here’s how to design your new house.
Content Table
1. Your Family Comes First
- Advice: Prioritize your family’s current and future needs when designing your home. Consider the number of bedrooms, storage space, and areas for relaxation and entertainment.
- Tip: Think about your family’s lifestyle. Do you need an open-plan living area for socializing or separate rooms for privacy? The design should enhance your family’s daily routines.
Before embarking on the design process, you need to consider the size of your family. If you don’t have any, there’s a high likelihood that you have plans to add in a few members. After all, a home is not a home if you live in it alone. Anyways, it’s essential to consider the space needed for each family member and to make sure that the home design you come up with will be consistent with your family's needs. You may want to sketch it up while sitting with your family to have a rough idea of how they’d want the house to be. Also, you can use online solutions such as Sweet Home 3D software to create a design that you and your family will find appealing. It’s also an interactive way of having your spouse, kids, and other family members involved in the designing of their first house.
Don’t stop there, the internet is a hub of information with fresh ideas every day and no one can offer expert advice like Michelle Doornbosch. You may get inspired by the many house design websites over the internet. And remember, the comfort of your family comes first, so here are some factors you need to consider when designing a comfortable house for your family:
- Health and well-being – There is a very close connection between comfort and well-being. Your levels of comfort have an effect on your health. It is, therefore, paramount to ensure that your house design doesn’t contravene on your comfort.
- Noise nuisance – Outdoor noises such as those from traffic, nightclubs, and noisy neighbors can jeopardize your home’s comfort. Just like you, June, who was also struggling with this problem, shares her expertise at www.aquietrefuge.com and suggests considering soundproofing when designing your first house if comfort matters to you. This will ensure that unwanted indoor or outdoor noises are well handled. Since noise can impede the quality of sleep and your concentration and relaxation, soundproofing can be a great way to ensure you design a home that will be good for your health and your family's overall well-being. On this note, various soundproofing systems are in the market, but acoustic foam panels are known to do the best job.
- Thermal comfort—Weather conditions vary from location to location. Some are hot, while others are icy, especially in summer and winter. It’s thus important to ensure that you’ve designed your house appropriately for your climatic region.
2. Planning Is Key
- Advice: A solid plan ensures the home is functional and meets all your requirements. Sketch out ideas, create a list of must-haves, and decide on the home’s layout before beginning construction.
- Tip: Be realistic about your budget. Prioritize essential features first and allocate funds accordingly. Use architectural software or hire a professional to refine your ideas.
A house is a long-term investment that is supposed to last very long. You, therefore, need to consolidate all your efforts into making this a reality. By now, you’ve probably encountered many home designs that didn’t meet your standards. It’s highly likely that you also clearly know what will last and what will not. This is why the importance of proper planning doesn’t need further emphasis. With planning, you’ll be able to achieve the best result and avoid sloppy mistakes down the line. As the saying goes, everything rises and falls on leadership. You will, of course, work with a team of contractors and other personnel. They’ll rely heavily on your sound judgment and the solid plans you made before. So many building mistakes can be traced to insolvent plans and poor decision-making.
3. Consider The Landscape
- Advice: Your home's natural environment should influence your design. Consider sunlight, wind patterns, and views when deciding on window placements and outdoor spaces.
- Tip: Plan your house to maximize energy efficiency by incorporating natural light, using climate-suitable materials, and considering eco-friendly features like solar panels.
We all live in different geographic locations. Some have rough terrains while others are even like tennis courts. Sometimes, you may need to hire heavy machinery to level down the rough terrain to the required level, costing you more resources and time. However, some places warrant such, which can significantly impact your home’s design. Simply put, the land on which you intend to build your first house, and the imminent physical features may dictate your ideal design. In simpler terms, you need to distinctly identify the right location for your new home and the perfect design, depending on the nature of the landscape. Your landscaping will allow you to spare adequate room for outdoor recreational activities such as backyard sports and gardening.
4. Work With The Experts
- Advice: Hiring professionals like architects, contractors, and interior designers ensures the design is visually appealing, structurally sound, and functional.
- Tip: Collaborate closely with your team of experts to bring your vision to life. Be open to their suggestions, but make sure the final design reflects your family’s preferences and needs.
You need help to accomplish much when all is said and done. You might want to use a professional or borrow their wits while designing your first house. Some countries require that before you build a house on a lot, you provide the relevant plans from a certified planner or designer according to the respective building guidelines and regulations. Hiring a professional house designer is fundamental as it will help save valuable time and get you expert advice on complex issues. They’ll also be your advocates when dealing with contractors.
From a simplified perspective, designing a home is not an easy affair, especially if you’re an aspiring first-time homeowner. Before you can confidently move in and settle down with your family, it will take sheer determination, dreams, and passion. The above few pointers can help you through the process of designing a home, whether or not you’re ready to own one in the near or far future.
