With no commitment, there is no achievement! The dream of achieving a house requires a lot of commitment and work. When you have finally bought land to build your dream home, design is one of the biggest concerns. The planning stage is crucial in determining whether or not you will be living in your dream house in the future. Getting the designs right is the key to cracking the dream house code. Here are the stages of planning your house designs:
Do you plan on living in the house forever?
One of the main questions you have to ask yourself before planning your house is how much time you want to spend in it. Is this going to be your family home or just a first house to boost your savings? Do you want to live in it yourself or bring tenants?
Figuring out the basics helps you get a better idea of the designs. If you want a family in that house, you need bigger rooms and possibly a backyard. People with exquisite taste would need to expand their budget. Before you delve into the process, figure out the nitty-gritty.
Quick tips for designing a home
Designing a house is an exciting process that most people look forward to. However, it is not as simple when you get to it. To keep you from losing your cool, we decided to share some tips:
1. Think with a future perspective
Keeping the future perspective in mind is very important. You may be single at the moment, but you will have kids in the future. If you are a single couple or not even married, keep the future in mind. Visualize what kind of life you want and plan accordingly.
It is better to make multipurpose spaces that you can use as something else in the future. Here is how to make spaces multipurpose:
- Use a patio as a BBQ spot
- Big laundry space as a pantry
- Covert a big pantry into a workspace
- Big workspace into a guest room
2. Plan the Budget
No matter how much you plan to stay within your budget, you have to outstretch sometimes. Hence, keeping it slightly higher than planned is crucial to avoid over-examining your finances. You must keep a realistic budget by taking estimates from the vendors.
Here are a few rough estimates for the budget, which can increase or decrease depending upon your preferences:
| Expenses | Cost |
| Permit | $3,000 |
| House plan | $3,500-$5,000 |
| Foundation | $9,000 |
| Roofing | $10,000 |
| Plumbing | $11,000 |
| Framing | $33,000 |
| Flooring | $11,000-$12,000 |
3. Find a contractor
A good contractor gets more than half the work done without you. It is essential to have a contractor on board that understands your vision and meets deadlines. Research contractors that fit your budget and have a good working history.
Asked for reviews about them from people who have worked with them before. Meet with the contractor a few times to judge their work ethics and how much they resonate with your vision.
4. Keep storage in mind
As your family grows, you will need extra storage to keep your items. No matter how big cupboards you plan, you still need extra storage to keep the house clutter-free. In your briefing with the architect, mention your storage needs. Deeper tubs and nooks around the house for better storage make your life significantly easier.
If you have an office space with ample space, get shelves installed to keep your supplies. News by Chair Advice states chairs with flip-up arms help in saving space. Built-in desks also help in maximizing space and using it efficiently.
5. Keep your interior style in mind
Nowadays, people like open spaces with a lot of natural light creeping into their houses. A well-lit-up room is what everyone needs to make their house feel lived-in. If you have a Scandinavian house in mind, arched frames, light woodwork, and big windows will make your vision true.
People with Bohemian taste love lots of warm lights, neutral colors, and a cozy low-ceiling vibe. Here is how you can plan your home’s construction keeping your style in mind:
| Interior style | House design |
| Scandinavian | Lighter wood paneling, low ceilings, airy design, neutral colors |
| Bohemian | Light woodwork, lots of natural light, shorter ceilings |
| Industrial | Extremely high ceilings, rustic metal, dark wood, small windows |
| Mid-century | Tall ceilings, big windows, dark wood |
6. Prioritize your needs
A house design must be such that it meets all your needs. A person passionate about gardening would need a larger space to pursue their hobby. Similarly, a person who loves to hang out outside needs a bigger balcony.
When briefing the architecture, always let them know what you wish to have and what you need in your house. Also, keep the design versatile as it increases the value of your house. Open windows and an airy design always appeal to people.
7. Give lighting the most emphasis
In modern-day, when social media is on the rise, everyone needs good lighting to take amazing pictures. Apart from that, a well-lit house looks lively and inviting.
Hence, distribute light fixtures mindfully around the house to brighten it up. Whether natural light or artificial light, it helps boost a person’s mood, making them feel happy. You want your home to be your oasis and a happy place. Hence lighting is crucial.
Can I design my home on a smaller budget?
You can genuinely design a beautiful house on a budget by doing your research well. Making a priority list is very important, meaning the list of things you need and the ones you can compromise on. Pay closer attention to the structure and material quality in the initial stage.
If you are running low on budget, keep a few things for later. Talking to your contractor and finding alternative ways is essential to save money. Getting a stronger structure is the key; you can go for lighter woodwork to save money.
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