Designing and building a custom home means that you have the unique opportunity to create a space perfectly suited to your lifestyle and preferences. Who doesn’t want that, right? However, while custom home building can be very rewarding, it can also be quite complex. The process requires careful planning and consideration to ensure that the end result is cohesive and functional. Knowing where to begin is often half of the challenge! To help you get started, I’ve put together a list of 3 things to consider when building a custom home. Take a look before you embark on your design journey.

1. Establish Primary Goals for the Project
When you decide that you’re ready to design your dream home, the very first thing that you should do is establish clear goals for your project. Ask yourself the following questions:
What are you trying to achieve with your home? Are you looking for a family-friendly space, a luxurious retreat, or a sustainable home with minimal impact on the environment? It’s crucial to understand how you plan to use the space, so that you can choose a convenient layout and materials.
What is your budget? Be realistic about how much you are willing to spend, and if you are willing to compromise on any details, like quality or longevity, to stay in line with your budget. Remember that investing in high-quality materials and craftsmanship can save money in the long run by reducing maintenance and replacement costs.
How much space do you need? Think about your size requirements, based on your lifestyle and how many people are in your household. Be sure to also consider how that might change in the years to come. Is this a home you plan to have 5 years or 25 years? How will your family’s needs change during that time?
What are your style preferences? Do you want a creative design that pushes limits and inspires innovation, or a more traditional approach?

2. Understand Your Motivations
Once you have defined your goals for the space, be sure to consider your motivations behind them. Your preferences - and, ultimately, your design decisions - will most likely be shaped by a variety of factors, including aesthetic, budget, and timeline.
You should consider the visual appeal and ambiance you want to create, as well as how that fits with your budget. For the most functional space, I recommend prioritizing elements that matter most to you and finding cost-effective solutions for the rest of the design. Also, be aware that some design choices may take longer to implement than others. Reflecting on these motivations can help you avoid frustration and make sure that your final home design aligns with your vision and your practical needs.

3. Seek Support
There are a lot of moving parts and pieces when it comes to remodeling or designing a home from scratch. In fact, there are even a lot of details just within one room! Remember that it’s absolutely okay to ask for help if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Working with a professional interior designer relieves the stress of making design decisions all on your own. With a wide range of experience behind us and a variety of design tasks on our daily to-do list, our team at Elevation Interiors knows a thing or two about how the design process works! Think of us as your partner in the process, as we break down overwhelming tasks into bite-sized chunks and walk you through each step along the way. You can lean on us as your second set of eyes and go-to resource for furniture and decor, and we will show you how to coordinate elements for a cohesive design. We will also oversee the process to ensure that it runs smoothly from start to finish, putting out fires and resolving unexpected issues as they come up.
If building a custom home sounds like too much to handle on your own, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to manage the details, so that you can focus on the big picture and simply enjoy living in a stylish, functional home!