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1. Start small and simple.

One doesn’t need a sophisticated software to begin their custom home plan search. A simple pencil and piece of paper will suffice. Sketch some rough conceptual drawings and bring your vision on paper. Brainstorm some ideas and start making your wish list. Rough design sketches, with a wish list and your necessities can help your design team immensely. Trust us, this is a huge help to us and you will hit the ground running.

2. Organize your priorities and plan for the future.

Jot down things like the lifestyle you seek to experience in your new custom home. Is an open concept something you seek, more space for a growing family or aging parents. Will you have college graduates residing with you as they work to set their right foot in the work force. Depending on where you are in life do you see yourself running a business from your home instead of a corporate job. All these priorities and many others will assist your design team begin your conceptual drawings with YOU in mind…Furthermore, how long do you envision yourself residing in your new custom home. Planning ahead for the future can save costly expenses to renovate or costly additions if a holistic approach is taken with a contingency for what the future may bring.

3. Location, location location-maximum your potential.

Usually, those who are in the market for a custom home either already own the property where the home will be located or in the market for that serene location. If you already know where your new home will be situated, be sure to consider the orientation, topography, size and best features of the lot. To put this in perspective, if your property oversees a large water body, a valley in the vicinity or a view of nearby mountains, you might choose to face the living/great room towards those feature so your family members can cherish and be one with nature. Alternatively, a high spot may be the most optimal location for views, positive drainage and curb appeal.

In addition to considering views and utilizing the prime features of your land, other aspects such as a sloped site may pay dividends to a unique home design. A sloped lot will offer many variations to the exterior facade. While splitting the masses on your exterior appearance that will set your custom home apart from a conventional flat lot.

4. Shortlist essential features.

Once your concepts are drafted in rough form, start with prioritizing the absolute necessary features for your new home design. Having a pretentious wish list without substance can easily put even the smallest projects over budget. Custom home designs can quickly creep over budget if you let your fancies run amok. With so many amenities and choices in designing your new home, it’s imperative to compile the most prudent aspects of your design. If having that large over sized attached garage is a necessity put that on the list. Similarly, that gourmet kitchen you have always wanted with an outdoor covered sitting area. Or maybe that finished basement with your rumpus room and a sound proof theater room.

5. Reflect on Natural light.

Beyond the aforementioned, it’s always crucial to consider the role of natural light in your custom home design. The orientation of your home is key to reap benefits of the sun as you wake up or enjoy the setting sun in the west while sipping a cup of your favorite coffee in the evening. More importantly light plays a pivotal role in a families general happiness in their home. Poor light and visibility in your home can lead to seasonal affective disorders. Such disorders may lead to depression, anxiety, weight gain, withdrawal, fatigue, sleepiness and a generally lethargic feel.

Smart designs that include use of skylights, solo tubes, Nana walls which can easily bring the outdoors inside and vice-versa. Consideration of natural light will also dictate location of certain rooms in your new home. Certain preferable directions or advantages of the Sun’s angles should be considered for an optimal home design.

Besides consideration of natural light, electrical lighting shall also be considered as they set the mood and feel of the interior. Features such a rope lights, chandeliers, lighting in dropped ceiling, under cabinet lighting can drastically change the entire outlook of your interior.

6. Consider flow and function.

As you and your design team begin redesigning your floor where various rooms should be located, consider how your final layout will flow and how your families needs will function in the space. For instance, to reduce air borne sound in sleeping areas, it’s beneficial to place bedrooms away from the communal/gathering areas of the home. Likewise, if you’re the family that enjoys entertaining and gather around the kitchen, an open concept design that provides clear sight lines of the communal rooms and allows your guests to be seated freely and comfortably is a key. Flow from your great room, dining room and kitchen shall be considered thoroughly.

7. Keep an open mind and trust your Design team.

Being open to different aspects or ideas is the most important attribute one shall possess as your embark on your new custom home design. Entrust your custom home design team as their constructive comments are intended for your best interests to ensure your dreams are realized within the parameters set above. It’s always overwhelming designing a new custom home as you want it to be perfect. However, perfect is subjective and will be brought into perspective objectively by your design team so your vision can be brought to fruition. As someone once told me, ‘don’t let perfect be the enemy of good’. Having this faith in your design team is key to successfully designing your new custom home. Designing your new home is a cumbersome process with multiple distractions and anomalies but don’t worry this is where your design team steps in. Consider them the navigators of this journey and remember, when designing your home make sure you enjoy the entire journey and the destination will be that much sweeter.