Design Your Dream Custom Home
A lot of our clients know that they want to build their dream home but don’t know where or how to start the process. It can seem like a large and daunting task to undertake – that’s where the CHART team comes in! We’re here to help all of our clients create their dream custom space that could become their forever home and a property they are happy with for years to come. When deciding to build a custom home, the last thing you want is to grow out of the space within a few years. When we work with our clients to design their custom home, there are some key items we always ask them to consider so that we can create the perfect space for their needs and wants.
Layout
This sounds obvious, but you absolutely need to consider the layout and functionality of your custom home at the beginning of your project. Think about all the rooms your dream space would have to perfectly fit your lifestyle so that we can create a floor plan that mirrors your goals. The best way to do this is to walk around your current home and make a list of improvements, things that it is missing, and elements that you and/or your family need to live your best lives possible. This could include anything like more bedrooms and common areas, increased privacy between the master and the rest of the home, being able to incorporate more sustainable energy solutions, or, even more simply, having your dream design taste throughout the entire property.
A common element our clients are requesting in their custom home builds are open layouts. Open floor plans are becoming increasingly popular and for good reason – they are easy to navigate, provide plenty of room for hosting, are accessible, and allow your family to gather in a spacious common area. Stairs are another area to consider if one of your family members is older or if you are getting older and may experience reduced mobility in the future.
Location
Remember that it is not just the home that will grow with you, but the location of the property itself will need to grow with you as well. You should choose a location that suits the blueprints and overall goals of your dream custom home – meaning, it needs to be large enough to hold your home and have enough outdoor space you want for you and your family. You not only need to think about your future lot itself but also the surrounding area as well. If you are planning to start a family or already have children, you can look into safe neighbourhoods that have good schools nearby. If you want to keep your custom home private and away from a busy city, you should choose an area that will not become developed or crowded in the near future. You may also consider the proximity to your essentials including grocery stores, hospitals, dining and entertainment areas, doctors, and anything else that is important to you.
Timeless Design
While we do think that there are some good design trends or fads that can be timeless and interesting, we are always aware of how quickly these can change. You don’t want to fill your home with design fads that will look outdated in the near future. To avoid this mistake, we try to encourage clients to use design trends as more of a guide than a template. You can use trends or fads to help pick certain features within your home or even just as research into what type of designs and styles you want in your home more generally. The better approach is to then use these guides and research to help you pick similar elements for your home that are more timeless options. We like to encourage clients to choose classic features that will not need to be replaced for years to come yet are still stylish and suit their current design wants.
Future Needs
Speaking of the future, you should always have your future needs in mind when planning your ideal custom home. We are not expecting anyone to look into the future or base their custom home design entirely on what the future could look like. However, it’s always smart to do a little planning and be prepared for certain scenarios. For example, you should consider how much you want your family to grow and build extra bedrooms to accommodate more family members in the future. In the meantime, you can always use the unused bedrooms as guest rooms, sitting rooms, or office spaces. You can also think about the flip side of this scenario. As your family starts to age, will you have parents looking to move in with you? If this is the case, then design your custom home to be able to accommodate them in the future. How about your kids as they grow older, will they eventually move out and not need a permanent room at your place? Design your dream space to be adaptable once they move out so that you can get the most use of every room in your home.
Trust CHART with Your Custom Home Dreams
Do you want help designing and building your dream custom home? Whether you’re at the very beginning concept phase, have a more concrete plan in mind, need help designing and selecting products, or anywhere in between, we’re here to get the job done. Our expert designing and quality craftsmanship have helped us successfully complete professional custom home builds from start to finish. When beginning your home renovation projects, trust the Canadian Home and Renovation Team to make the right choices and help guide you through the process. CHART is proud to be celebrating 40 years as one of the most prestigious renovators in the Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph area. Contact us to begin preparing your home for renovations or to get your custom home project started!
