10 Important Factors in Designing a House

Building your own home is definitely a memorable undertaking, especially when it’s your very first home or the house of your dreams. A project as big as this should definitely be approached with a lot of careful thought – so make sure you read up on these ten really important considerations before you break ground!

1.     1. Make Sure That Your Location Is Right

 

If you’re reading this article before you’ve scouted around for a piece of land, great! This part will guide you in selecting the most ideal location for your needs. If you’ve already bought it, then this will serve as a good checklist for the things that you need to go over with the land itself. That said, the best location is as flat as possible so you won’t spend too much on leveling it. 

You also need to know the soil conditions of the place and whether or not it will make for a safe foundation for the house itself. There’s a chance that if the soil is less than favorable, you’ll have to spend more to grade and develop the land. Make sure you conduct a thorough inspection of the land and refrain from purchasing right away just because the price is low.

 

2.    2. Consider Your Final Budget

 

While you may already have a ballpark figure for your house construction, try to get as accurate an estimate as possible to avoid surprise expenses. When we’re talking budget, we mean the full construction cost. 

It’s important to break down every part of the home build and place an exact budget for each one before you come down to a total. The simpler your floor plan, the less costly it will be. This will include expenses such as architect fees, furnishing, labor, etc. In addition, include extra for any unforeseen expenses.

 

3.    3. Consider the House Direction

 

Did you know that where your house is facing is important and will affect your budget? For example, being aware of where your house is facing will let you know where natural light flows, and will therefore be a contributing factor in how many light bulbs you have to purchase. 

The direction will also suggest where the natural breeze enters and therefore determines whether or not you will need ventilators. The placement of your windows will also depend on this because you want to make sure you place windows where there is a good view, if possible. Your own comfort will greatly depend on this aspect.

 

4.    4.  Family Input

 

If you are building a house for your family, it’s best to get their input as well. This goes for both the structure and the design. You want to make sure that everyone in the family is comfortable and amenable to the final design. 

Considering their input is also important when factoring in room size and how each one will be used. This also means considering the kind of appliances and furnishing that they use, so you can better optimize the living spaces to meet your family’s needs. 

If your spouse has a home baking business, for example, then you may want to adjust the kitchen space to accommodate ovens and prep areas. If your kids are the sporty kind, then maybe you might want to delegate a good part of the land to have a sizeable backyard for them to run and play around in.

 

5.    5. How Your House Program Looks Like

 

A house program is basically a list of rooms that you want in your house. Before you start planning for your home gym, make sure that you finalize the basic rooms first – such as the number and type of bedrooms, how many bathrooms, etc. 

The house program should also indicate how many closets and how big they will be. After the basic rooms, factor in other spaces such as the garage, storage rooms, and the exterior places that you want (patio, balcony, etc.). Your house program will also affect the budget, so you want to make sure that you include the basics first and then your non-negotiable extras.

 

6.     6. Size

 

Will your house plan be a big or small one? Everything that we’ve discussed so far will determine the size of the plan, which will also be dependent on the size of your budget. You will need to go over everything with your architect for this to ensure that you stay within your budget while having the essentials and some “nice to have” at the same time. 

The size will also be affected by how many floors you wish to have, whether or not you want some areas to be double-height spaces, etc. In addition, there will be localities that require you to follow specifications on the size of your house. Your architect is in the best position to confirm if your plans satisfy any and all local regulations.

 

7.   7.  Extra Storage

 

No matter the size of your house, try to factor in some space for extra storage. Efficient storage space is a must for every home and helps to keep clutter to a minimum. Extra storage will also be essential to a growing family, who will go through stages of accumulating extra stuff as the children grow or as new additions to the family are made. This should be included in your house program and can be in the form of an extra room or built-in storage in basic rooms.

 

8.    8. All the Furniture You Might Need and Want

 

While furniture is one of the last couple of things you will buy before and as you move into your newly constructed house, it should also be top of mind when planning the house design. The type of furniture will also determine the size of the space and how that space is used. For example, if you are super sure that you want an L-shaped sofa for the living room, then you need to mention that to your architect so he considers that when he is designing and delegating space for your living room. 

If you already have enough furniture to move into your new home, then it will also help to design your new home with that – in a way that there is a space for everything, and everything has its own perfect spot. An often-used bookshelf and reading chair, for example, might be considered when drawing up the measurements for your sitting room and you want to ensure that these two pieces are accommodated. 

Or if you already have a washer and dryer, it would help to get their exact measurements to determine just how big your laundry room is going to be. In addition, the furniture you have and are planning to get should be well arranged in the plan to keep a smooth flow of traffic and to ensure that there is enough space between them.

 

9.     9. Future-Proofing Your Home

 

Eliminating future costs and maximizing the durability of your home should also be a primary consideration when thinking of the kind of architectural features that you want. You might be thinking of features that look attractive but will end up needing repairs or any other future maintenance costs. If one of your priorities is to avoid any future costs, then this is something that you really have to think about. 

The first step is always to ensure that your building construction is as durable as it can be. Go for materials that are low maintenance and at the same time very reliable and strong. There will definitely be a bit of adjusting in the budget when it comes to this, but the important thing is to spend on the things that will last and are essential to the foundation of your home. 

Some low-maintenance and durable building materials can be slightly more expensive than others, but that extra cost might mean avoiding having to replace the same materials 10 or 15 years later. You also need to consider the type of climate in your location, so choose materials that are suited to that environment.

 

1010. Try to Be as Flexible and Realistic With Your Plans

 

Not all areas of your room need to be permanently assigned to their initial function. When designing a home, try to get a little creative by looking where you can be more flexible with things. A home office might also become a guest bedroom if you know that you will be having people stay over occasionally. You might factor in a sofa bed’s measurements in your home office so that you have an instant bed for guests without it being too bulky and space-consuming.

These considerations will surely help a lot when it’s time to design your new home. Give each one some careful thought, and you are sure to have a home that is well-designed for the kind of life you want to live now and in the future.

What would make you feel less overwhelmed when it comes to planning the design of your new home? A home plan and permit expeditor might be one of them – because as we all know, getting all the paperwork approved for your new build is an undertaking in itself, not to mention a whole new level of stress that you most certainly don’t want nor need!