Rules to Follow When Building a Family House

​The time has come for you to build your family house - congratulations! However, before you and your loved ones start celebrating, it is essential to understand that building a family house is a process that will consume a lot of your time, energy, and of course, money. Thus, arm yourself with these before you start!

"You should build a house that not only works for you now but a house that will work for you in the future too."

​When building your family house, you will not only have to think about the foundation, roof, plumbing, electricity, etc., but also about your house's functionality and your family's needs. Moreover, you should build a house that not only works for you now but a house that will work for you in the future too. Therefore, you shouldn't rush into anything and try to plan out every step carefully. Although there are many things to consider when starting this building journey, don't worry - we are here to help you out. We will tell you what some of the most important things to have in mind when building your family house are. 

The Right Layout is Crucial 
for your home

​When building a family house, your top priority should be the layout. To do that, you will have to ask several questions such as: 

• What layout helps the family be together more? 
• What layout provides privacy for each family member? 
• What layout allows me, a parent, to keep an eye on my children at all times? 

Of course, there are many questions you should ask yourself, but these three are the most important ones. Thus, be sure to have the answers to them before you start building your family house. Moreover, another thing you should consider when starting a construction project as big as this one is hiring the right people for the job! For instance, if you need help creating the perfect layout for you and your family, you can hire an architect. Hire a contractor if you need somebody to help you build your house. And, if you need somebody to help you decorate it properly, later on, hire an interior designer. Even though you might be able to take on some of these tasks yourself, working with professionals can save you a lot of time and money. 

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

"Working with professionals can save you a lot of time and money"

Storage, Storage, Storage! 

You have the luxury of designing your entire family house. So, make sure every corner fits your and your family's needs. However, remember that your needs now may not be the same as your needs in the future. Your family will grow, you will all acquire more stuff, and eventually, you will run out of space. 

One way to avoid the 'space' problem is to build a house with many storage options. And, when we say storage, we don't just mean attics, basements, and garages big enough to store all of your items. No, we mean being more creative and creating home storage areas that will help you organize the space. Those areas include walk-in closets, pantries, mud rooms, laundry rooms, etc. 

Make Your Kitchen the Center of the House 

​Making the kitchen the center of the house may be one of the most important rules to follow when building a family house! The kitchen design is critical if you have small children. For them, this kitchen will be the space where they will do their homework, work on their art and craft projects, and talk to you about their problems. Moreover, this kitchen will be a place where you will enjoy that first cup of coffee in the morning and where you will spend your nights entertaining your best friends.

Photo by Terry Magallanes

"​Kitchens are the most important part of any family home!"

​So, consider all this when choosing the best kitchen style for your home! Our advice is to go for an open-concept living space where your kitchen, dining, and living room will be well-connected. But, put a particular emphasis on the kitchen - and make it as big as possible. 

A Well Designed Yard is a Must For Your New Home

While designing and building your family house, don't forget to leave some money in your budget for the yard as well. If you live somewhere in a warm climate or anywhere where there are four seasons, you will use this yard as much as any other area in your house. So, make sure it is functional! 

"Having a functional and an 'entertaining' front or back yard will make all the difference to your new home."

And, besides functional, make sure it is a place where your whole family can enjoy spending their free time. For instance, you can design a house with a patio if your property isn't big. And, if the property is spacious, you can incorporate a pool, a barbecue area, a shed, a sitting area, a playground for the little ones, etc. It doesn't matter whether you plan on building a starter or a forever home; having a functional and an 'entertaining' front or back yard will make all the difference. ​

Choose Hard-Wearing Materials and Finishes  

Once you are done building your home, you can relax because the most challenging part is over. But, you won't be able to rest for long, as you still have to equip the entire house with the right furniture. If you have enough money in your budget, it is always better to go for custom-made furniture prices (especially for kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms).

But, when choosing materials and finishes for your house, choose those that are easy to clean, that last long, and are not prone to wear and tear. For instance, choose tiles for your floors, wood for your dining room chairs (no fabric!), easy-clean materials for your sofas and beds, etc. 
​
Maybe these materials and finishes are not your favorites, but they are a must in family homes. Trust us, you don't want to argue with your little ones anytime they spill or chip something, and you don't want to waste a lot of your money on replacing every piece of furniture every once in a while.

Building the Best Home For Your Family

​As you have seen, there are some rules to follow when building a family house. Of course, whether you will follow these or not is up to you. But, we strongly advise you to give them a thought - after all, we talked to many families about this, and they all agreed that all the previously mentioned 'rules' are a must. 

Author

Angie Collins is a moving consultant currently working with Homegrown Moving Company where she helps people prepare for their local and international relocations. In her free time, she enjoys writing articles for her blog that covers topics such as moving, renovating, redecorating, etc. 

​Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

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