Designing the best house for you and your family Part 2

Last week I discussed decisions that influence your choice of home and it's design.
Designing the best house for you and your family
​In this article I discuss how your family and your lifestyle impact choices and what you should consider.

---

What does your partner and family want or need in a new home

Embarking on designing and building a new house, or renovating your home, is going to be even more difficult if there isn’t agreement with your partner. Thousands of design and home decorating decisions will have to be made. Establishing some common ground as to the size, general layout, overall architectural theme and the location of your new home is essential. Failure to discuss your thoughts and to understand your partner’s point of view could lead to one of you being unhappy with your new or renovated house, or even both of you. Not agreeing principles as the home design progresses could lead to designers and contractors being pulled in two directions, inevitably leading to changes while the house is being constructed, which will be costly. Even more costly will be changes after construction of your home is complete. Understand that some compromise from both sides will be necessary, but always ensure that these compromises aren’t going to result in an architectural mishmash of ideas, that looks terrible and doesn’t satisfy anyone. So, at an early stage visit homes together, look at the same magazines and review house plans. Narrow down the choice of house plans and styles to those that you both like – which might not have been your first choice for your new home. Where you disagree over designs, colours and features with your partner, argue the case logically with the pros and cons. Be prepared to change your mind if you’re wrong, or make adaptions where necessary.

You may involve the children in some of the home design and planning processes, but you shouldn’t be too side-tracked by what they want. Yet, it’s important to consider their changing needs and how the house can be adapted to fit these needs. So, a home for children under five could be different to a home for children between five and thirteen, while older children will have different needs. It’s important to provide them space in the house which can be changed and adapted. Space to play, space to study and space to entertain friends.

​Taking account of your lifestyle and tastes (and your family’s) in your home design

Your lifestyle will dictate the requirements of your house, it's design, layout, finishes and style. So consider some of the following questions and how they'll influence your design decisions, how the answers will influence what should be included or excluded in the house design.

• Do you entertain lots? If so you may need bigger entertaining areas, possibly a larger kitchen. Maybe be able to easily separate the entertaining areas from the bedroom.
• Is there a big family? This will impact the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Even the amount of parking.
• Do you like the outdoors? If so you may want a larger garden and a nice outdoor area so you can sit outside.
• Do you like gardening? If not a smaller garden and a garden with low maintenance is important.
• Do you enjoy sitting in the garden?
• Do you travel lots and want an easy care house? If you plan to be away often you want a secure home that requires little care.
• Do your children have friends visiting often? If so you may require a separate entertaining area for them.
• Do you like cooking? This will impact the size, layout and even the appliances in the kitchen.
• Do you like long relaxing baths? A large bath might be important for you.
• Is privacy important? This impacts the internal layout of the house, plus what the neighbours and those on the road can see in your house and garden.
• Do you need your own space to do work? What kind of space? A separate study, maybe even a hobby room or workshop?
• Do you have visitors or family that stay over? You might require an extra bedroom, maybe even a suite with bathroom that can be separated from the rest of the house.
• Will you and the family use a swimming pool? Swimming pools are a lot of work. If you're planning a swimming pool make sure that you and the family will use it regularly and for years to come.
• How many cars do you have? Do they require a garage? How much parking do you require on the property?
• Are you good at repairing things? You may want an easy to maintain house.
• Are you a hoarder with trinkets and ornaments? Maybe you need shelves, even glass fronted cabinets.
• Do you have an art collection? You’ll need wall space then, and the right lighting.
• Do you have lots of clothes? How much cupboard space do you require?
• Do you like simple clean lines? A more modern house might suit you.
• Do you have a collection of books? If so you'll need space for bookshelves.
• Are you a tidy person? You might want lots of cupboards. But what about the design of the cupboards - do you need a specific place for everything?
• Do you like the latest technology? Maybe you want stuff that can open and shut on command?
• Do you want to feel part of the neighbourhood, or don’t you want to see or hear the neighbours?
• Do you like the latest fashions and styles, or are you more of a vintage person?
• Do you have a big wine collection? Maybe you require a wine cellar, or at least a cool area to store your wine.
• Do you like listening to music?
• Is protecting the environment important to you? This will impact the materials you use for constructing the house.
• Do you like pets? What pets? How important are they in your life? Dogs usually need outdoor space. Areas inside the house where the animals will wander should be easily cleaned - possibly tiles on the floors instead of carpets. 
• Do you use public transport? This will impact the location of your house.
• Do you work from home? If so you will require an office. If there are work visitors then the office must be large enough for you and the visitors and possibly you should consider a separate entrance to the office. Maybe you need additional storage for your work stuff.
• Do you, or a member of the family, need space for a hobby?

Conclusion - getting your home design right

Probably your new home can't have everything you would like it to have. After all there's usually only so much money and so much space that you have available. But anyway, would you really be happy with a huge mansion that costs a fortune to run, clean and maintain?

But it is possible to balance the needs of your partner and family with your likes and needs, while keeping your new home build project in budget. Carefully consider what you like and dislike as discussed in my previous article. Collect home design and decorating ideas from various sources. Don't just rush for the first plan or style that appeals to you. Really understand you lifestyle and make sure that the plan, layout, design and finishes of your new home will fit your lifestyle and the way you live. 
​
We are all different, so not every house will satisfy your needs or lifestyle. Take time to plan and design your house so that it will satisfy your and your family's needs when you're living in it. Get the design of your new house right before starting construction. Changes during construction or after the house is complete will be expensive.

So many questions and decisions might seem overwhelming and confusing so it's important to take a logical approach. Make lists of likes, wants, needs, dislikes and disagreements. Tick off items as they're taken care of. Don't make rushed decisions which you could regret when you move into your new home.

​For more valuable home design and renovation tips and advice read: 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home' and 'Volume 2 Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home'

​This is an extract from: 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 2' by Paul Netscher. Available in paper or eBook from Amazon.com, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, Amazon AU and all online bookstores. To read more
​© 2019 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

---