Designing a home includes much more than coming up with a floor plan, deciding on the number of rooms, the size of windows, choosing the materials and picking the right builders. It also includes some important considerations we often forget. Your future home should meet all of your needs, which include the landscaping and other outdoor space features and special requirements for your pets. Also, it should be designed according to your style, especially when it comes to the color scheme. With all that in mind, here are some practical tips that will help you make all the right choices.
Landscaping and pools
One of the most essential decisions you should make when it comes to your new home is the size of the backyard and how you are going to use it. Some people prefer having a lush garden and an entertaining area that can include an outdoor cooking station, while others would love nothing more than to have a pool for a quick summer dip. For the latter ones, the planning is a bit more complicated because there are other considerations to be made, such as ensuring there is sufficient room for the pool and its infrastructure, but also leaving some space for the other backyard features, like a sitting area. Also, you need to make sure that the pool installation won’t affect the property’s plumbing, gas or electricity. As for the legal requirements, you will need to apply for your local pool registration.
Planning on having a pet? Here’s what you need to know
If you are planning on keeping a pet in your home, you need to adapt your home to the pet’s needs without compromising your own comfort and the functionality of your house. The first thing to think about is the flooring, especially if you own a dog. You need to understand that a dog can (and probably will) scratch your floors or cover them with mud. That’s why you need to choose a durable and easy-to-maintain solution, such as floorboards or tiles.
Owning a pet that can’t fit into a fish tank also means you will have to set aside room for storing your pet’s stuff. Depending on the builders you choose, and the type of home you decide to have, you will be able to come to an agreement about this feature. Many of the quality project homes in Sydney and other bigger cities have such additional spaces, all you have to do is point out the importance of this when designing your home.
Your bathroom will need some adaptations too if you are planning on bathing your pet there. To prevent the mess and make this chore easier, opt for a deeper tub.
Interior and exterior color schemes
Exterior painting should be finished before you move into your house, especially if there are special design guidelines you need to follow. If that’s the case, ask around about the color schemes that are allowed, and choose among them. Some of the most essential rules are that the color of the exterior shouldn’t stand out too much, it should be pleasant to the eye and not too bright.
As for the interior, here you will be allowed to be creative because you are in total control. However, you should choose the colors based on the function of the room, the ambience you are trying to create and even on some basic color psychology rules. Even though the schemes can differ from one room to another, you still need to create a certain consistency to point out that, even though the rooms are different, it is still the same house.
If you have any doubts about the colors you should choose or how to combine some of the colors you like, you should consult a color consultant or an interior designer who could also help you with selecting and allocating the furniture.
Building your first home is a huge milestone. Even though finding professional builders is almost a sure step to success, you still need to be involved in making the important decisions, such as landscaping features, adaptations for a pet and paint.
