5 Important Tips to Follow in Designing Your House

The opportunity to design your own dream home is extremely exciting. There are few things as satisfying as planning every detail of your new home to meet your needs. While the process of designing a custom home can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming. The flexibility that was once exciting can quickly become a chore if it's not handled well. With that in mind, below are 5 tips to follow when designing your home.

1. Start with pen and paper

Before you worry about any of the technical details, starting with just a pen and paper can help get your creativity flowing. After all, you want this to be a fun process, so don't worry too much about specifics for now. Sketch out what kind of rooms you want to include, the layout, and make notes about the look and feel you want to achieve. When designing your home, Damian Will from NovusHomes.com.au says that it’s important to consider how many bedrooms you want, and whether you want additional rooms for a home office or a game room. These are all important details to consider.

2. Consider your lot

If you plan on buying a piece of land (or already own one) be sure to consider the layout of the land you plan on building on. You might want the house to face certain areas of the property, or you might want to build it closer or further away from a body of water.

3. Interior Design

In addition to the layout and materials of the house itself, you will likely want to spend plenty of time deciding on the interior design of the home as well. The great thing about building a custom home is that you can precisely build the home itself to complement the interior design pieces you choose.

4. Think about functionality

When considering the layout of your new home, consider the unique dynamics of your living space and how you or your family might use it. For instance, consider placing bedrooms away from noisy, communal living areas. Do you want an open floor plan? Do you prefer having more or less separation between rooms? Consider questions like these when planning layout and room placement. Each family is unique, and only you know how your family will best use the space.

5. Prioritize Light

Natural light is a non-negotiable for good home design. Without it, your home will always feel cramped and dingy. Be sure to prioritize your home around a good flow of natural light. Luckily, you have plenty of options. One practical way of including more natural light in your home is to install skylights. These add more light than traditional windows. In addition, large, spacious windows add style to your home and allow light to flood through easily. It's also important to consider what type of electric lighting to include in your home. For instance, many people choose fluorescent lights for their energy-saving capabilities, but incandescent lights create a much warmer, comforting light. In addition, accent lights can significantly bolster the style of your home.