Tips for Designing Your Home
Between building a house and buying one, the consensus is that it is cheaper to buy one. However, designing your very own lets you be more in control of how the house turns out, and you will be able to turn it into your dream home instead of looking for one that’s only close to being a dream house. There are many aspects to think of when designing your own home, from the materials of the house itself to the furniture that will adorn it. With the proper planning, however, you will be able to design your dream home.
Before starting any plans, it is best to set up a budget for your future house. You may have many things planned that you wanted to add but find later on that the overall cost is higher than anticipated. So, budgeting is the proper way to start, factoring in everything from the site work all the way to the landscaping. It is a good idea to get advice from a professional, especially for beginners, as they can not only help you calculate the costs but perhaps also inform you of considerations that you may not have known about or taken into account.
After determining your budgeting limits, it’s time to start planning. Before the design planning even commences, the location of the house should be taken into consideration. Take into account traits such as the reputation of the suburb. This could include whether the area is prone to crime, or if it’s near the countryside it could be prone to bushfires. After all, you will be spending a considerable amount of time in the area, so choosing the right location is important. After choosing the location, the designing phase can start.
Designing starts with creating the floorplan, even with just a pencil and paper. You’ll have to think about where the rooms should be placed and which rooms to include and their sizes. Even elements such as accessibility from one part of the house to another needs to be thought about; for example, a door from the garage to inside the house. There are also other factors to consider besides the current needs and wants to add to the house. Perhaps there are plans to have children in the future, which will need to be taken into consideration, or even rooms for extended family or regular visitors. The location of the house itself could also be kept in mind when designing the floor plan. For example, if the location is near mountains or a place of great scenery, it’s a good idea to place the living room where it faces the view.
It’s also good to keep in mind how the weather could affect the house during the seasons. If the location is prone to hot weather, which would make it unbearably hot in summer, perhaps align the bedrooms and living room away from the direction of the sun. The opposite also applies, if the location is prone to cold weather. If it is likely to be freezing during winter, align the bedrooms and living room towards the direction that receives the most sun. It is vital to consider family habits too. If the family tends to gather in the kitchen, then an open plan would be ideal as the open area makes the living room, dining and kitchen be more accessible and better for socialising.
After designing the house itself, the next step is to fill your dream home with furniture and unique design elements, such as beautiful coastal home furniture or quirky artworks. Consider what style you want your home to be and what works for your family. These styles could range from modern to traditional, elegant or cosy, and monochromatic or colourful. If you are going for a traditional approach, look for furniture that is soft and elegant with muted colours and floral patterns. Rich, dark wood for the tables and accessories such as rugs, lamps and bookshelves could also be added. A modern approach goes for simplicity, with furniture often made of glass or metal that could have innovative storage options for a more uncluttered look. Clean and straight lines with plain walls are used to create the simplistic effect and accessories such as a gorgeous timber feature wall can be added, which offers both functionality and an artistic look.
Along with the materials chosen for the house, the colour of the walls and floors should also be considered. Certain colours match more with certain building materials. For example, with red bricks, neutral wall colours are a suitable contrast such as grey or tan colours. There are also different types of flooring to choose from including tiles, carpets, timber, or concrete. Getting samples of these colours and materials is a good idea to help visualise how they all work together. There are also options such as floor paint to add extra protection and durability to your floors.
After designing the interior, the outdoor setting is last in line. Besides thinking of the obvious backyard options, such as a pool or garden or even a veranda, the furniture and accessories complete the design. Don’t forget to check requirements when planning; for example, some councils have rules surrounding adding a pool to the backyard, such as adding a fence around the pool for safety. If you choose to have a garden, using garden wire products is a good idea for better control of the plants and securing them in place. As for furniture, choosing simple designs such as wire furniture is a better option, as it requires less maintenance and can last longer in the outdoor elements. Just as there is floor paint to help protect your floors and increase durability, there’s also outdoor furniture oil to help protect and maintain your outside furniture from wearing out.
Designing for your own house can be stressful and requires careful planning, but the results are worth it as you turn your dream house into a reality. The house will also be more personal, as every part of it was carefully thought of with you and the family in mind. The home will suit everyone’s tastes and make for a comfortable place to rest at the end of a busy day.