So, you have a gorgeous floorplan in an up-and-coming subdivision, ready for beautiful new homes, happy families, and you can’t wait to get started. Let’s do this. But before we do, let’s look at that floorplan and your location as one solid piece. You’ll love the picture window in your bedroom that you’ve been eyeballing from a Pinterest board since you started this project—until it’s aimed right at your neighbor’s pool. It doesn’t mean you don’t get your window; it just means you must be conscious of your home and your surroundings. We want to make building your custom home a dream come true, which means wanting everything you hoped for to live up to those expectations. So consider your location and your floorplan the main starting point. Building in the country? You may want that attached garage or the quaint little mudroom on the back. Inner city plot? A sunroom might be perfect for that east side of the house. Subdivision? That large porch will be gorgeous decorated for holidays or getting trick-or-treaters their handfuls.
No matter what, as your plan forms, keep your location in mind.
Personalize your custom home for the functionality of your family and needs. We’ve all walked into that house that we love and yet we wish it fit our needs more. Whether it be more space for the kids, a home office off the kitchen, more outlets on the porch, or a laundry room on the main level, often there is always something we wished was different. Really think about the flow of your day and even the flow of your week. Consider holidays, birthdays, and the normal events of life as you plan. When building a custom home, you can ensure it fits your needs through the entire year.
No one wants to build their house and have all the functionality—but a flat style. These two elements don’t have to work against each other. Paint and details like countertops, trim, doorknobs, and lighting can and will change the overall feel of your home before your belongings are even in it. So, what do you want out of it? Crisp and clean, cottagey and cozy, energetic and bright, there are hundreds of different styles for you to incorporate into the functionality of your home. There is a lot of power in the details, so make sure you’re thinking about pallets and natural vs. fluorescent lighting, and the way you want each room to represent you and your family.
More than likely you already have a house fully furnished and decorated. Will you be buying new furniture or keeping what you have? Either way, consider how bedroom set up, living room flow, and dining room to kitchen access will be when building your custom home. Furniture is another functionality piece, but thankfully it’s also moveable and easily removable if necessary. If new sets aren’t in the budget, think about how tight stairwells might be for upper levels and basements, and how to make living there the easiest transition.
And what are the styles of these things? Are they different from the style of your new home? If they are, your things might stick out in a new setting, or you may have chosen a style that you like but isn’t really you. Not everything has to be different from what you have in order to feel like it belongs in your new house. Don’t feel guilty for liking what you like.
Your home fits you and your life. If you don’t need seven bathrooms—don’t build them. No one likes cleaning bathrooms anyway. You may feel like there is a lot of pressure to be an architect, a designer, and a bank all at once, all while also trying to keep your normal life on schedule. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way. Take what you love and piece it into a house little by little. There is nothing wrong with simplicity and loving the little things, just like there is nothing wrong with seven bathrooms. If you want to clean them!
Take some time to think about all of the things you need and want out of a new home. When you’re ready, River Valley is here to help build your dream home! We currently have properties available in South Bend and Granger, Indiana neighborhoods, and would love to show you samples of our previous custom home builds. If you have any questions or are ready to get building, give us a call at (574) 210-5951 or contact us at rivervalleyconstructiongroup.com/contact.
