Have you ever walked into a home and your brain just says “Wow! This home is amazing”?
Not because of the high ceilings, or the state of the art amenities. Or even the luxurious furniture in the living room.
Don’t get me wrong- these finishes matter in the overall scheme of things, but that’s not why you're suddenly in love with the house.
You like it because of something indescribable - the 'feng shui or the 'vibe' that makes you feel like you could live in this place tomorrow.
Other things strike you - the kitchen windows face West and the bedroom windows East.
You walk in the front door and the large open space ignites your appetite for an eventful evening.
You leave the house thinking, ”How can I make my future home look like that, or even better?”
To help you out, Your Next Home has put together a list of some Do’s and Dont's in creating a home plan to help you turn your vision into a reality.
1) Define What You Need and What You Want (your essentials).
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You’ll need to identify things like space, privacy, and the best orientation for you block, so you don’t get caught up in the excitement of choosing features and finishings just yet.
Ending up with a house plan way above your budget or one that leads to extensive renovations in the future, is something you need to avoid.
To do this- look at how you and your family live and analyze individual needs. Weigh your needs against what you want and make compromises where necessary.
For example, do you have kids or are you planning to start a family?
A party lifestyle 3-bedroom house with immaculate finishes may be what you want at the moment, but not what you need long-term. For example, if you plan to start a large family, or sell the residence down the track - how will the market view this home?
This isn't a blanket statement to say 'Bigger' is 'Better'. That couldn't be further from the truth. Most people overestimate how much space they need. It's about designing a smart floorplan that'll save you money but also be perfectly functional for your needs.
Designing a home that's big for the sake is pointless. It creates unnecessary maintenance issues, makes the home feel empty and cold and can cost more to build.
A really good place to look at some ideas is Pinterest. Have a look at some free floorplans here
You can also see some free floorplans on the YNH website here
If you want our opinion give us a call onn +61 422 574 661 and we'll help you analyze your home plan! (free of charge).
2) Don’t Put the Plan Before the Land
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The most suitable plot is the one that lets you build the house you want. But designing your home before buying land can set you back.
Things like site slope, soil conditions, size of the plot, and the neighbouring properties directly affect how you build your home.
Make it simple.
Save yourself the time and effort redesigning a home plan. Wait until you buy the plot before creating a design.
That way, all the variables regarding land are known, and all you have to do is fit your vision to your plot.
Pro tip: the flatter the land, the cheaper it is to build on it.
3) Get Advice From a Professional Designer
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By now, you have a rough idea of what you should consider when designing a home and why a well-thought-out plan saves you a world of frustration and regret later on.
A common mistake is thinking you can design your home all on your own. But if you’re not a professional draftsperson, there’s a big chance you’ll miss (or add) something you shouldn’t.
For instance, if you choose to go for the sleek modern look of a large open plan with a good light flow.
Will you know not to put hard floors or too many flat walls because it increases the reverberation of sounds inside and outside the home?
A home designer helps you avoid such pitfalls.
Help you create a flow in your rooms.
Advise you on how to maximize the spaces in your home.
And give you some pointers on how to keep the cost of construction low without compromising on quality or design.
It may cost you a pretty penny to enlist professional help, but it will cost you a whole lot more if changes are needed during or after construction. Let a professional home designer polish your plan and make sure it’s suitable for all your family needs. We do have an exceptional offer on at the moment that you can take advantage of. If you would like a professional concept drawing done such as the one below, or would like to know anything else, just schedule a call here.
(CLICK PDF ABOVE TO VIEW CONCEPT DESIGN EXAMPLE)