101: Part 2: Designing Your Custom Home
By now, you should have a budget and timeline in mind, and have started looking at properties. Check out Part 1 of this checklist if you haven’t.
The next step is to develop an architectural program. This is a statement of goals for your custom home. You should have this started before hiring an architect. Use the following sections to create your architectural program. Go over these ideas with your architect, as they are professionally trained to know what is possible and how to incorporate your ideas into a functional design. This is why it is important to hire an architect as early as possible.
When making your architectural program, keep the following in mind:
Dream big, then scale back. This is your chance to make something uniquely yours. At the start – go big on ideas. As things move forward you can adjust these ideas to the budget, zoning, timeframe, land and other realities.
Separate the “needs,” “wants,” “dreams,” and “don’t wants.”
Note which rooms are most important to you. In other words, what would you prioritize if it came down to it?
Rank your desired features in order of importance. Prices can vary greatly on custom homes, and this will help you make difficult choices later on.
Play the “what if” game. Prepare for the fact that some things may not go your way. Ask yourself: “What if XYZ happens?” What is your next choice/option?
Collect pictures of things you like (and don’t like). Websites like Pinterest are great places to start. You can also collect clippings from magazines such as Homes & Gardens and Architectural Digest.
Is there anything specific about your current home that simply doesn’t work for you?
What size should your home be?
One of the first steps in designing a custom home is figuring out how much space you have to work with. Deciding how large your home should be is determined by a number of factors.
First, find out if there are any limitations on the height and/or square footage of your home. These may be based on zoning restrictions, neighborhood ordinances, or perhaps the size and layout of your lot.
How many stories do you want? Are you looking for a single-story home? Two? Three or more? A split level? Do you want a basement? Consider at this stage if stairs are going to be a problem for you or any family members.
Finally, think about size in terms of rooms. Deciding what rooms you want will play a huge factor in determining the size (and layout) of your home. To get started, consider the following:
How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
Which of the following spaces do you need/want?
Formal and/or informal living spaces
Home office
Mudroom
Eat-in kitchen
Formal dining room
Children’s playroom
Media room
Dedicated laundry room
Home gym
Garage (if so, for how many cars?)
Basement and/or attic
In-law suite
Workshop
Build your lifestyle into your home
Do you have any recreational activities to take into account? This is a custom home – so you can design it for your lifestyle! If you are an avid bike rider, you will want space for bike storage. If you are a musician, perhaps a soundproofed studio space. If you are an artist, you could build a custom studio space. Or if you are a woodworker, you can create the perfect workshop. Whether you are a surfer, skier, or artist, you can make your home work for you.
Other things to consider:
Do you need space to display art?
Do you want book storage? Do you want wall space for bookcases, or built-ins?
Are you a musician? Consider a separate space for playing that can insulate sound.
Think about the layout
Once you know what rooms you want and how much space you have to work with, decide how you want everything put together. You have nearly unlimited layout options. How the rooms are arranged can affect traffic flow, privacy, and how guests and residents in the home interact.
Browse Floor plans It can be overwhelming to think about how to put together all the rooms you want. Start by looking at examples. This should help you determine what you do and do not like. Websites like Houseplans.com and Dream Home Source are a great place to start.
Questions to ask yourself:
Do you want an open interior layout? Or separate spaces?
Do you want separate formal and informal areas of the home (i.e. public vs. private)?
For multi-story homes: What do you need on the first floor? What do you want on the second (or higher) floors?
How many entrances do you want? Do you want a private entry? Any rooms in particular in which you wish to have a doorway to outside?
How do you want the indoor and outdoor space of your home to interact? Should they flow into each other, or be completely separate?
Think about the arrangement of specific rooms:
Which rooms/spaces do you want near each other? Maybe you want the children’s playroom to be within earshot of the kitchen. Or does it make sense to have the laundry room near the bedrooms?
Are there any areas of the home you want more private/separate? Maybe the master suite should be separate from the other bedrooms, or on a different floor? Should your office or artist studio be in a quiet corner?
If creating an in-law suite, do you want it to be separate or integrated with the rest of the home?
What structural features do you want in each room?
Many rooms in a house have optional features that you need to decide whether or not you want during the design process. These aspects can affect the layout of your home. To get started, go through the following to determine what you do or do not want in different rooms of your custom home.
Kitchen:
How much prep/counter space do you need?
Eat-in kitchen, or a separate dining space?
Social space (to watch TV or hang out?
Work/homework space
Island or peninsula for food preparation or buffet
Separate/walk-in pantry
Prep sink and/or main sink
Wet bar
Gas or electric stove/oven (This will affect what hookups you need)
Bedrooms:
Numerous closets? Walk-in closets?
Connected bathroom? (shared or private?)
Bathroom:
Shower? Tub? Combined shower and tub? Jacuzzi tub?
One or two sinks? Separate vanities or together?
Linen closet?
Jack & Jill bathroom (connected to 2 bedrooms)?
Laundry room:
Should it be its own separate/dedicated space? Or combined with another room, such as bathroom or mudroom?
Space for additional features? (folding counter/table, sink? Hanging rack?)
Outdoor spaces: Do you want a patio? Deck? Screened-in porch? Convertible indoor/outdoor space? Balconies? Courtyard?
Determine your design and style preferences
Start by thinking broadly about style. It is important to consider this early in the process, as it may be best to hire an architect who specializes in that specific style. Is there a particular theme and/or architectural style you are drawn to? If so, what elements of that style do you particularly like? When looking at different styles, also consider if they fit your climate/location/neighborhood.
Ask yourself the following:
What kind of accents do you want in the home?
Any specific materials you want to include?
What color palette do you want to use?
Kitchen: cabinets, flooring, appliances, countertops, finishes…
When thinking about general architectural style for your custom home, consider the following:
Ceilings: Do you want taller ceilings? If yes, everywhere, or just in some spaces?
Hallways: Desired width? Do you want as few as possible, or many?
Stairways: One flight or more? Do you want a private staircase in the back of the house?
Windows: What kind? A lot or a few? Skylights? Bay windows? Wide windowsills?
Wall space: Do you want a lot of open wall space, perhaps to display art?
Lighting (indoor and outdoor): Recessed lights? Sconces? Chandeliers? Look at some of the lighting options at the Home Depot to get inspired.
Roof: Flat, pitched, asymmetric gable, multiple gables, curved? You can browse styles on websites such as The Roofing Calculator.
Exterior: What kind of siding do you want? Browse options at Better Home & Gardens.
Do you need limited mobility access?
Safety considerations: Do you live in an area prone to earthquakes, tornadoes, or hurricanes? Ask your builder how to take these into consideration with design and materials.
Special Features
There are an infinite number of additional features that can be built into your custom home.
Do you want any of these?
Fireplaces (Gas or wood? More than one? In which rooms?)
Media room
Central sound system
Heated floors
Central vacuum system
Pool and/or jacuzzi (indoor or outdoor?)
Green Design:
There is a growing trend today towards green design. Building with this in mind can reduce your carbon footprint. Plus, many features can be built into your home that will increase your energy efficiency and water conservation, reducing your utility bills down the line. Talk to your architect about what green design features will work best with your custom home.