What makes building a custom home so special is the fact that you get to create a space that will serve as the backdrop for your favorite memories. In a world that is increasingly complex, not only will your house serve as a sanctuary for your family, it may also double as your place of business. As such, here are some important factors to consider when designing the home of your dreams.
Whether your goal is to minimize your carbon footprint or to save on your energy bills, designing a home that is energy efficient is the responsible choice. Educate yourself on energy efficient building materials before you meet with your builder so you can make informed decisions.
Another thing to consider when going green is choosing the correct lighting for your home. Traditional lighting can be harsh and hard on your budget in the long run. Cost-effective lighting apps are a popular choice for people who want to save money and control their lights from anywhere.
Consider the activities that bring you the greatest joy and incorporate them into your dream home. If you enjoy entertaining, consider your outdoor areas as an extension of your indoor living space. In addition to decorating your patio with vibrant and colorful furniture, add an outdoor kitchen and dining room. From dinner with friends to game nights under the stars, a well-designed alfresco living area can make your guests feel right at home. If you enjoy a weekly pizza night with the kids, have a pizza oven installed and enjoy it year-round.
While adding an alarm system to your house is a given, the best way to secure your sanctuary and loved ones is to ensure you don’t become a target in the first place. When designing your home, add layers of security that deter bad guys from even considering your property.
The first layer of security could be as simple as adding a gate to your property. Criminals look for easy targets, and having a gate makes life a little more difficult for them. Also add security lights with motion detectors to the exterior of your home.
Another way to repel unwanted entrants to your home is to incorporate a keyless lock that requires a security code for entry. You’ll never have to worry about little ones losing their keys, and you can monitor who’s coming in and out of your house by giving a different code to each user. This is also a great option if you ever decide you want to rent your property online to guests.
Incorporating high-tech locks and security cameras is a sign to would-be thieves that you care about your property and you probably have a high-tech alarm system as well. They’ll think twice about invading your space.
Choose flooring that is eco-friendly, beautiful, durable, and appropriate for each space. From concrete to wood or bamboo, the choices are endless. Each room in your house has its own purpose and traffic pattern that affects the flooring. If you live near water or you’re choosing flooring for your basement or laundry room, you want something that doesn’t warp but is still aesthetically pleasing. Vinyl flooring has become a popular choice for this reason. This isn’t your grandmother’s vinyl—the options available today are highly sophisticated and durable.
In an effort to achieve greater work/life balance, many people work from home more. When you’re designing your dream home, take advantage of the opportunity to design your dream life. Home offices are nothing new, but content creators are taking it to the next level by creating home studios. Your guest bedroom can double as a space for you to record audio or video content. Get creative with storage options for your equipment and decorate small spaces with style to get the most out of them.
Want to sell your crafts or jewelry online? Perhaps your basement or office can double as a crafting room. Add shelves along the walls and storage bins to keep your materials out of the way when you’re not using them.
Creating a space that is functional, beautiful, and comfortable should be fun. By thinking outside of the box, you and your loved ones can get the maximum enjoyment out of your indoor and outdoor living spaces. You can also spend more time on things that matter by creating rooms that serve multiple functions. With so many eco-friendly building materials available, it’s a lot easier to build responsibly and minimize your energy costs in the long run. Lastly, by adding multiple layers of security, you can have peace of mind knowing you’ve done everything to make your home a safe place.
Written by Katie Tejada
