Building a new home is possibly one of the biggest things you will ever do, and it can seem like a confusing process if you haven’t done it before, or you don’t quite know how it all works.
Do you know exactly what you need to think about when designing your dream home? Have you had a look at different floorplans and thought about how you would like to live?
Here are some more helpful tips that we at Alatalo Bros suggest you consider, when planning the design of your new home.
What is the right style for your new home?
Is it Modern, traditional, coastal, farm house or something unique or in-between? Is it a brick veneer home or a mixed cladding style home?
Think about this before you go and meet with your builder or building designer for ideas and advice, so your thoughts can be turned into a realistic design. Ideally you will end up with a home that not only looks great but is also functional and comfortable to live in. The look is often what we fall in love with, but the home design, orientation on your block of land and the functional flow of the floor plan are very important parts of the design process for comfortable everyday living all year round.
Custom design or an existing floor plan?
You might have found the perfect match for a house and a block of land and there is no need for any changes at all- but what if you want to move a wall or add a room? That can become costly if your builder charges a fee for each change. All Alatalo Bros designs and floor plans are flexible and can be modified as much as you want with no cost.
A good start is to think about the number of bedrooms you ideally need – are they close to the living areas or do you prefer them to be tucked away for more privacy and quiet time? Does the plan suit your current lifestyle and is it also practical for your family’s needs? Do you like to entertain and want to have an indoor- outdoor connection so guests can spread outdoors through the warmer months? Maybe you need a study nook or a play zone for the kids so they have a space to play. A walk-in pantry near the garage could be useful for dropping off the groceries after shopping, or a mudroom and a walk-in linen cupboard for extra storage in the laundry?
Maybe you are at an age where you need a handrail and a sturdy seat in the shower, or your bath, oven and dishwasher placed at certain height for easier use? At Alatalo Bros we want you to have the right home design without having to worry about the cost of making changes to suit your unique lifestyle better. Our custom home designs are created just for you and they can accommodate any additional wishes and needs as much as needed.
It is a good idea to think about your long- term plans and needs as well, as one of the greatest advantages of building a new home is that you can get as creative as you want- just bring us your wish list!
Read more about designing your floor plan and inclusions in part 3
