Introduction
Designing your house from scratch is a dream that everyone wants to accomplish. But if you are someone not from the design industry then doing the whole process on your own can be quite daunting.
With the help of the right professionals, designing your dream house is no longer a faraway dream. For all your design-related queries we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 tips for designing your house.
1. Make a plan
Before you begin the design and construction process, make a plan on what you exactly want. Create a timeline for yourself to understand when you want the work to begin. Before you employ people, note down the various works that have to be done.
To understand what type of design you want for your house, make a list of requirements that you need. Play around with the list and browse through the internet for some inspiration through architecture digital media publications. Identify what spaces you need currently and what you will need in the future.
If you are a young couple then make sure you plan for the future and incorporate spaces as well. This is very much similar to cooking were to have a dish you need a recipe. In the same way, before you begin any construction-related work, make sure you know what the whole plan is.
2. Hire the right Professionals
As you are not someone with the technical insight it is best to hire the right people who will get the job done. Hire contractors, architects, and engineers who will collaborate based on what you want your house to look like.
Regarding the design, make sure to hire good architects who can convert your needs into a beautiful design. The engineers and contractors will be looking at the whole project quantitatively which is why you need a good architect who can guide you regarding the design.
For better visualization ask your architects for third renders to understand what the big picture looks like.
3. Stick to the Budget
Construction costs and labor charges vary from place to place. This is why it is important to know your finances and stick to a budget. Make sure to discuss quotations with the contractor and architects before you begin any work.
Take quotations from multiple people before fixing on anyone. Take referrals from people who just built their house or anyone in the same field. Check reviews and work as per your budget.
4. Materials and Logistics
Utilizing good quality materials and fixtures for your house is a long-term investment and also increases the sale price of the house. Cost, maintenance, strength, and availability are the 4 main factors of selecting materials.
Good quality material will be strong, durable, and withstand wear and tear. While choosing materials for your house make sure to have a look at other houses as well. This will help you understand what materials are being used in that locality and talking to other homeowners will help you from not making the same mistakes.
While picking the materials, remember the local environment and climate. The materials chosen must help in creating a healthy environment to live in. Maintenance is another very important factor. If material is expensive and requires constant maintenance for its upkeep then probably it is not the right one for you. Searching for materials can be tough but online marketplaces help make the process easy. Before you make a huge purchase, order samples to understand how the big picture will look. For more information on materials, you can visit our website.
5. Keep all Documents ready
A very important factor that is often overlooked is having all legalities right. Before you construct your house make sure to obtain the permissions from the concerned municipal departments. You will have to have the following documents ready –
- Property Tax Receipts showing tax payment of up to three years
- E–Khata certificate
- Certificate showing the land as non-agricultural
6. Interior Design
Interior Design is a very important part of the whole design process. Many steps need to be followed for good interior design for your house.
- Calculate the available space, the number of people that will be living in the house, and their space requirements.
- Assign a budget for each room based on its size, shape, and usage. The amount you will have to spend on interior design doesn’t have to be a huge sum if you plan well.
- Interact with your interior designer about the look you are aiming for. Make use of the second and third drawings to get the whole visual of the design.
- Get all the electrical wiring and plumbing work done to prepare the house for further work
- Focus next on false ceilings, electrical fixtures, and furniture.
- Finally, choose wallpapers or paints that will seamlessly blend with the rest of the house.
7. Sustainability
You can make your house more environmentally friendly by making a few conscious decisions. Installing a rainwater harvesting system will help in the reuse and storage of rainwater around the house.
Using locally sourced materials will reduce the carbon footprint of the house. Using solar energy to power the house will not only help with the electricity bills but also help with tax returns. Small steps like these can help you and your family enjoy your home guilt-free.
8. Design as per the climate
Design as per the local context and climate (Source: RTF Rethinking The Future)
Ditch all the fad trends and stick to the local architectural practices for comfort throughout the year! Designing as per the local context along with the materials available will help in healthy indoor living. Here are a few tips to design as per the climate –
- Firstly, perform a site analysis to understand the wind direction, rainfall, soil type, etc. This will help in understanding the pros and the cons of the site better.
- Before the design process makes a rough massing and places it on the site as per the site analysis results. Avoid construction near water bodies, endangered vegetation, and wildlife.
- Orient the house based on the movement of the sun for optimum comfort throughout the year.
- Emphasize natural ventilation by having adequate openings to facilitate cross ventilation.
9. Future Expansion and Plans
Future expansion is a very important aspect of house design. Currently, you may be building a house for 2 people. But the question you must ask yourself is how many people will be living in the house in the next 10 or 20 years.
It is very important to know the plan for the house. You may build a beautiful house and decorate it to be sold for investment purposes. Or at the same time, you may be building it for yourself and later sell it when your family is expanding. Whatever be the reasoning, make sure that you know your plan before you move into your house.
10. Finishing
The end product may not be as per what you visualized and that is ok. It is ok if your house doesn’t look perfect to others’ eyes. But as long as you love the end product, it is fine. Your house is going to become a home where you will spend time with your loved ones and make memories. Cherish each space because today it may seem empty but tomorrow it will be filled with beautiful shared experiences.
11. Resale Value
Keeping in mind the resale value of the house is a very important factor. Location and neighborhood are important in determining a good resale value for your house.
Good quality materials, workmanship, fixtures, design quality, etc. will help in keeping the house timeless and interest more buyers. Hence, while designing your house, keep in mind the future and choose a timeless minimal design.
Conclusion
Designing your house can be a very tricky process. The easy way through all of this is just to have a good plan. Always plan before you begin the work. Have a backup plan if the plan fails. Remember to always be prepared. Getting into the design and construction field can be hard if you are a newcomer.
So, research, review, and take referrals. When you know your basics, you can’t get manipulated into overspending on expensive materials. Hiring architects, engineers, and contractors are very important. They are trained professionals who will collectively collaborate and get the work done. You may feel that you can manage alone but it can get quite overwhelming which is why you should hire the right people.
Designing as per the context will not only set your house apart from the rest but it will also add to its market value. Overall, a house is not just a structure with a roof and some walls. It has a story and that story is formulated in the way you design your house. Design is a storytelling process. Each element adds to that story and this is how you will create memories in a new space!
