Four Tips for Designing the Perfect Family New-Build Home
There’s a lot of thought that goes into designing a new family home, from the design elements to the function. You want to design a home based on how your family functions now, but also look to the future and how your family’s needs will change as the family gets older or larger. With this in mind, I’m going to share 4 tips for designing the perfect custom family home.
1) A Great Family Home Starts with the Layout
You will want to put a lot of thought into the layout of your home, and there are many things to consider, such as:
How much natural light will spread throughout the home based on wall placement?
Is there enough storage space?
Do you like to entertain large groups of friends, and if you do, how often?
If your kids are younger, you may want to consider:
Do you want an open-floor plan so it’s easier to see the kids playing?
Would you prefer closed off rooms in order to contain the clutter?
Can you easily see the backyard or garden where the kids will be playing from the most used areas of the house?
If your kids are already older, you may want to consider:
Where can the kids hang out with their friends?
Where can you (and your partner) relax in the evenings while your kids are hanging out with their friends?
How much storage space do you need for bikes and sports equipment, etc?
2) The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home
More times than not, the kitchen is a family hub full of activity. Consequently, you’ll want to put a lot of thought into what you’ll want to include in your kitchen area. Even if you only have young kids right now, your toddler will eventually be a teenager, so you’ll want to consider how your family’s use of the kitchen will change over the years. Some things to consider are:
Teenagers eat a lot of food, so how large of a pantry do you want? Also, how many small kitchen appliances do you need a place to store?
How many people will frequently be in the kitchen (including friends and family), and how much circulation space do you need? I try to ensure I have 4 feet between cabinetry to allow for ample room to move.
Where will the garbage, recycling, and compost bin go?
Will the kids do homework in the kitchen, or is there another area needed?
Where will you store all of the snacks and breakfast items?
Where will your charging station go for cell phones, tablets, etc?
3) Always Include a Mud Room
This is one area I find most people don’t think about when designing their home, and typically they’re very disappointed with just a closet and no where to put all the boots and shoes. A proper mudroom will have a space for all the backpacks, coats, boots/shoes, and any other things that kids and families need each day. When I’m designing a mudroom I like to include:
A spot to sit and easily put on or remove footwear
Individual areas or cubbies for each family member to store their items (backpack/purse/bag, coat)
Easy access to the laundry room so muddy/wet clothes can be immediately put in there
4) Select Hard-Wearing Finishes That’ll Last
The last thing you want in your home is to be constantly worrying about how your family is using the space and scared they’ll ruin or break something. When I’m designing a home, I like to take special considerations for:
Flooring – tile is great for areas that typically get muddy or dirty as it’s easy to clean and doesn’t typically scratch. Think mudrooms, laundry rooms, and even bathrooms. Ensure that any tile specified is non-slip in order to prevent any nasty falls with wet boots or feet. For the rest of the house I like to specify wood as it’s warmer than tile, and provides a beautiful textural backdrop to the entire home. I don’t typically specify wall-to-wall carpet as it makes the home dustier, and it can be hard to clean stains out of.
Cabinetry – invest in high-quality cabinetry that is less likely to chip or scratch with everyday use. I also include as many drawers as possible, as they usually function better than a regular cabinet with shelves.
Countertops – select a high-quality countertop material that is durable and heat resistant. When considering various materials, ask yourself if you are ok with sealing it every year, or would you prefer something that never needs sealing.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of considerations when designing your perfect family home, and those included here are just the tip of the iceberg. To learn more about designing the perfect family home, download our free guide that is chock full of tips and things to consider when designing a custom home. Go into the process feeling completely informed and knowledgeable, from design through permitting.