Multi-part blog series / Building Your Custom Home
Building a new home is a big undertaking. Whether you’ve been through the construction experience before or are about to venture into it for the first time, it will require a lot of thought and introspection. Fortunately, there are professionals out there to help you with this. Bridget Ray Interior Design is a leading interior design firm in Orlando that specializes in custom home design. We can guide you in establishing your new home design expectations. Designing a new home is personal and subjective, and determining what you hope to achieve through the design will be unique to your needs and preferences.
Here, we’ll share some insights on how you can begin to establish your new home design expectations. So, let’s get started.
You have a dream, a vision, and needs.
But what expectations do you have? Think through about how you currently live and what parts of your current home work well and which areas don’t. When you consider your priorities, think about function, comfort, and aesthetics. What is your daily routine? How about the routines of your spouse and children? What hobbies does your family have? What activities take place in your home and which one’s do you desire to take place? Sometimes things may be taken for granted or overlooked, such as a drop zone for you and the kids as you enter the home. Where do bags and backpacks go? Do shoes come flying off immediately? It’s all these little details that make up your list of expectations, and elements we take into account from the start in the design process.
What are the goals and objectives of the new home?
Do you want energy efficient materials and systems? Is sustainability important to you, in the use of materials and installation? Want a home flooded with natural light, open floor plans, or specific architectural design style or features? Is your family growing or do you have extended family plans you need to be mindful of? Do you entertain or want to be the host(ess) with the mostess? Are you getting overwhelmed already? The method our interior design firm suggest for developing this list is to just sit quietly and let your imagination roam for a while. Write down a list as ideas come to you, and do not worry if they seem silly, too much, or even unrealistic. No judging! Putting pen to paper is a great process to clear the mind and become inspired. You can always refine the list later.
Here’s a biggie. The question of what do you expect to invest?
Your investment may be a hard number that is non-negotiable. Or it might be a WAG (wild ass guess) and you have no idea what to expect. Either way it’s ok. Part of our interior design service is working with clients to establish a feasible budget. Knowing whether you can even pursue a project is key, as there is nothing worse than getting deep into the process to realize you don’t have the funds to fully complete the job. In todays world as we’re all aware of, inflation has gone a bit nutty. For. Every. Single. Thing. Having an understanding of what your financial ceiling is for a new home, including construction AND furnishings, will guide you when making decisions. You’ll need a full professional team of experts: builder, architect, engineer, interior designer, landscape architect, etc. Each entity brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the overall picture.
Gather your inspiration.
This is part of the fun stuff! Explore websites, magazines, social sites, or even your own neighborhood for imagery that excites you. This helps you begin to understand what you like and what resonates with your vision. Look for interior detailing ideas, color palettes, design styles, and images that provoke a positive vibe. Don’t be afraid to consider something new and different. The world of design is endless. Are you into what’s trendy and popular? Are you more bold and prefer one of a kind? Do you want to emulate a design or blend in or do you want your design to stand out? Think about how you feel around certain colors, because design has so much to do about feeling, and colors greatly affect those emotions. Don’t be afraid of doing something different, even if it’s subtle. Here’s a great source to kick start your inspiration: Luxe Interior + Design
Do you have long-term plans?
Is your family growing or will you have extended family living in the new home? Will you plan to age in place? Do you see this home as a forever home or plan to be in the home only a few years? Client’s who plan to sell in a few years have different considerations when it comes to appealing to future buyers vs a homeowner who plans to stay put for many years. We always say design the home for you, not a future homeowner. We have years of experience in understanding how to guide clients when it comes to making these important decisions. Design decisions should of course be based on what is good design, the ultimate goal, the client’s needs, and if potential market appeal factors in or not. Though we cannot predict the future, long term planning plays a big role in new home design expectations.
The team you’ll need.
As mentioned previously, your team of professionals is vital. Each brings a different viewpoint and level of expertise to the table, and all should work together in your best interest. Trust is imperative, as well as responsiveness, and innovation. The specific knowledge of local building codes is crucial, and your team helps ensure all requirements are met. Collaborating with a full team from beginning to end will ensure your goals are translated into a feasible and well-executed design.
Consider the lot where you want to build.
Whether you have a lot or plan to purchase a lot, there are other factors to think about. It’s likely you’ll need land surveys, permitting, and soil samples, as well as clearing and land leveling, which will all add costs to the build. Lay out exactly what you want and make sure that the land is able to support those needs. Also think about the function of spaces and their proximity to one another and how the home will sit on the land. Do you desire a sunset view from your pool? Do you have quiet spaces you don’t want to face a busy roadway? There are many factors to keep in mind when selecting or planning the lot and it’s location.
Designing a new home is a personal and subjective process. Your needs and preferences will be unique. Take your time, seek inspiration, and consult with professionals to ensure your new home aligns with your vision and objectives. Central Florida is a great place to live with it’s close proximity to coastal areas, theme parks, an international airport, and pockets of amazing communities to settle down in. Winter Park, College Park, Lake Mary, and beyond, all offer their own appeal. Our firm provides full service design to clients who plan to build a custom home or remodel an existing home. We design residential interiors in custom designs using fine furnishings and finishes, resulting in a wonderful experience for our clients. Learn more about our services here.
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