The excitement of buying your own home is only surpassed by building it. There’s nothing better than planning every inch of your dream house and watching it come alive, brick by brick.
When you build your own house, you have full control of the end product. You get to choose the floor plan and where everything goes. You have free rein over the fixtures and fittings and can let your inner designer loose when it comes to choosing colours and materials.
For most of us, this is the dream. However, the reality of building a home often leaves homeowners dissatisfied with the final result.
The building process is highly involved, with lots of different people involved at every stage. This means having to deal with different perspectives and views along the way – which can slowly erode your dream and leave you disappointed.
After nearly 20 years working as a designer with project home builders, I’ve seen this scenario play out on more than one occasion. If you want to build your own house, these are the 5 design mistakes to avoid to ensure you get the keys to the house of your dreams.
5 design mistakes to avoid when building a home
Mistake #1 – Not understanding the floor plan
One of the big reasons people build is to create a home that suits their needs. Older homes are a product of a different time, with outdated floor plans that don’t suit how we like to live today. Building from scratch gives you the opportunity to create the modern home of your dreams – as long as the floor plans are right.
If you are not used to looking at detailed plans, it’s easy to miss potential issues that could disrupt the flow of your house – like a door opening the wrong way or a window where you wanted a bifold door. There’s also the possibility that the plan that looks so good on paper could hinder how you want to live your life.
Don’t just rely on your architect or builder to get these little details right. Make sure you do your homework too. Take the time to understand how your plan will flow and how you will engage with the space. If you’re not confident to do this on your own, a space planning consultant can help you visualise your new home and avoid disappointment.
Mistake #2 – Not paying attention to the electrical layout
Think about all the appliances and gadgets you rely on each day. Now, think about how much hassle it is to keep unplugging and switching things because of a lack of outlets in the right spots. It’s one of those things we don’t pay too much attention to – but something that can make each day that little bit harder.
Building your own home is your chance for a fresh start, with well-positioned (and plentiful!) electrical outlets. Most plans start with the bare minimum – so take the time to review what’s being offered and whether it will meet your needs. This is your chance to have USB ports included or to place outlets in the floor to serve large open-plan spaces.
If you don’t know how to read floor plans, especially electrical layout overlays, seek the advice of your builder, electrician or an experienced designer. Not having the foresight to check the electrical layout (or the courage to ask for changes) is one of the biggest regrets of the many families I’ve talked to over the years. Don’t make the same mistake!
Mistake #3 – Not investing in enough storage
Even the minimalists amongst us yearn for more storage – trust me, you can never have enough! Part of the problem is the piecemeal way that storage is addressed in modern homes. With a linen press here and a hallway cupboard there, it’s nearly impossible to plan enough storage space to meet the needs of real life.
This is why it’s important to get a fresh set of eyes when putting together your final floor plan. After so much time pouring over the plans, you will be struggling to find alternatives. The same goes for your architect or builder. Getting a space planner or interior designer on board can provide a fresh perspective.
They can visualise the plans and identify small changes that make better use of space (and offer better storage solutions). A walk-in robe in each bedrobe may be possible, thanks to a simple re-configuration of a hallway. Or, a small butler’s pantry might be achievable by stealing some space from your laundry.
Mistake #4 – Not knowing where to spend/save money
When you’re balancing a home-build budget, you have to make some tough decisions. Unless you have unlimited funds, it’s simply not possible to afford all your dream inclusions (sorry Pinterest board!) But that doesn’t mean you should skimp on everything – the key is knowing where to spend your cash.
It makes sense to invest in the high-value areas of your home – like your kitchen and bathrooms. But this doesn’t mean everything has to be high-end. Instead of investing in an expensive marble benchtop, a quartz alternative can be a more cost-effective choice, while still adding luxury to your home.
Feature walls in living rooms and bedrooms are another way to add some wow factor without breaking the bank. This is where talking to an experienced interior designer can help you make the right design choices throughout the build – and help you avoid unnecessary costs down the track.
Mistake #5 – Not having a clear design direction from the beginning
Making design decisions on the fly is not a good recipe for building a dream home. Without a clear design in mind from the beginning, you may find yourself having to make primrose window frames somehow work with your dream dark grey exterior (not an easy feat for any designer!)
Crucial elements need to be decided on (and ordered) at the start of a build – including window frames, gutters and eaves. If you don’t already have a clear idea of your design, you may feel pressured into making a series of quick decisions that don’t work together and are difficult and expensive to fix later on.
With so many choices involved in building your home, an experienced interior designer makes the process so much easier. From the very start, you’ll have a clear design plan to follow that will help bring your dream home to life. And, with everything already locked in, the pressure to make quick decisions will also disappear!
So, how can you avoid these costly mistakes when you build your own house?
The best way? Engage an interior designer with experience in the home build process. Most project home builders will provide some kind of interior design support, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be working with an accredited interior designer.
Having a trusted expert with you from the beginning will help you avoid these mistakes. It will also help you get the most from your new home design. From space planning to exterior design to electrical layout, a good interior designer can bring everything together and ensure nothing is left out.
Not sure if working with an interior designer is right for you? Why not give Nancy from Design to Inspire a call? With almost two decades of experience in the project home industry, Nancy is here to guide you through the home-build process to bring your dream to life.
Book your free discovery call to find out more.
