Designing Your Forever Home: Tips for Creating a Custom Home that will Stand the Test of Time
With the time, effort and money that goes into creating a custom home, we understand that you’ll want to be sure it’s going to be a part of your family’s lives for several years. Designing your ‘forever home’ is much more than picking out floor plans, paint colours, and type of countertops. At Watara Homes, we believe there’s more to consider than you think when designing a custom home that will stand the test of time.
Identifying Your Family’s Needs and Wants
When you’re ready to design your forever home, it’s important to start by identifying the needs and wants of your family and what may be worth spending a little extra on.
We recently wrote an article including a number of industry experts and their opinions on what’s worth splurging on in a home here. This can be a great place to start!
You may find that you have some must-haves when it comes to your living space’s functionality and design — and making a list of these items will help you understand what’s really important in your new home.
Once you’ve identified what you need from your new home, it’s time to consider what nice-to-have features would make living there more enjoyable for everyone. The more time you spend on this step, the better equipped you’ll be when it comes time to make decisions about which features will make the cut and which ones won’t be possible within your budget or timeline.
Don’t take this part lightly, what matters to one family isn’t so important to another – you might love indoor-outdoor living while someone else might not be so fussed – it’s all about your preferences and this is your chance to be picky!
Choosing a Custom Home Builder
Materials, design, location and plot size are all going to influence your custom home. Choosing the right builder is also going to have an impact – not just on the final outcome, but your experience along the way.
Researching and Comparing Different Builders In Your Area
Researching builders in your area is an important step in finding the right fit for you. If you already have an idea of what kind of home or style you’d like, this will help narrow down your options. You can start by looking at local companies’ websites or checking out their social media pages to get an understanding of the type of work they specialise in. You can also ask friends or neighbours if they recommend any builders. At Watara Homes, we pride ourselves on being multi-award-winning custom home builders in Brisbane – if you’re in the Brisbane area and looking to start your custom home journey, feel free to reach out.
Asking For References And Reviewing Past Projects
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of possible builders, it’s important to ask for references from past clients. This will give you insight into how well they perform on projects as well as what kind of service they provide overall.
Read more: How to choose a builder for your custom home.
Designing for Longevity and Adaptability
If you’re thinking about designing your forever home, it may be helpful to consider the long-term implications of your design choices. If you’re going to be living in this space for the rest of your life, it is nice to know that it’s going to meet your needs for as long as possible.
Firstly, you’ll need to think about durable materials and energy-efficient systems. We always recommend using the best quality materials possible; materials that are more resistant to wear and tear and that can withstand the elements without fading or cracking over time. Energy-efficient systems can also help. A significant investment in solar panels, for example, may cost a little more upfront but will be well worth it in the long run.
Consider how adaptable your home is going to be when it comes to future renovations or additions. If you plan carefully now when designing your space, then you’ll have more options available when it comes to making changes later on down the line. You’ll know your situation better than we do, but many of our clients come to us as their family grows. Having this awareness of what you may need in the future can help make the journey a little easier.
Check out our checklist for building a house for some more tips.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness
Sustainability and eco-friendliness are important considerations when designing your future home. Your home will be an extension of who you are, so it’s important to find a place that reflects your values.
If you’re building from scratch, there are many ways to create a sustainable home. Consider choosing materials that are locally sourced and use energy-efficient appliances. The way you design your home can also have a significant impact on its sustainability. For example, if you choose to build on a hillside or slope, you can use the natural drainage system to channel water away from the house during heavy rains.
If you’re renovating an existing home, there are still ways to make it more environmentally friendly. Look for products made from recycled and sustainable materials or consider replacing old windows with ones that are double-glazed/thermal insulated for energy efficiency or made from recyclable materials. You may also want to consider installing solar panels or other alternative energy sources such as wind turbines or geothermal heat pumps in order to reduce your energy costs while still helping protect our planet. At Watara Homes, we are here to see you through the whole process and will answer any questions along the way. If you want some tips on how to have a sustainable home check out our sustainable home renovation guide.
Is a Custom Home Right for You?
A custom home gives you greater control over the result and there’s a great sense of accomplishment in creating your own sanctuary. Custom homes may cost more to build than traditional designs, but they save on ongoing maintenance costs. By prioritising energy efficiency and green building materials, these homes are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Ultimately, if you would like control over your budget, design and lifestyle and want it built using natural materials that help the environment, a custom home is likely the perfect choice for you!