Top 3 Home Plan Mistakes to Avoid
The top 3 mistakes to avoid when designing your new construction home!
Whether you are building a custom home, a spec home, or designing your own, there are a few things that are often overlooked during the design phase. While many people focus on the appearance, they tend to forget about important interior aspects that can be challenging to address once the construction is complete. Before discussing your plans with a designer, let's talk about the top 3 mistakes I see so you can avoid them!
Lack of Storage
Wasted space in Circulation Paths
Weird Window & Door locations
Storage
I've worked on many single family homes and multi-family homes and they always fail to plan enough storage space. Clients prefer spacious areas and builders bank on this because its cheaper to build no walls, but the client doesn’t realize they don't realize until they move in that they have no storage! The things I find many homes fail to plan storage for are coats and shoes (primary and secondary), Vacuums, linens, Garbage cans in kitchen, pantry foods, Seasonal Decor, & Surplus Items in garage.
When you are going through the process of either selecting a home design or designing it with a planner or yourself, think of all the items you actually plan on storing. Are the kids really going to keep their shoes, coats, and backpacks in their room everyday after school? What about you and your coats? Where is the seasonal Decor gonna fit? How much dry food do you need on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis? Surplus items, by this I mean all those odd’s and end’s that get forgotten like wd-40? cleaning supplies? bikes? power tools? drills? kids seasonal toys? These won’t all fit in the garage when you only have enough room to fit cars and walking space. So take a good hard look at what you actually have and then plan for it! It can seem overwhelming but I promise this will pay off big time when you live there.
Circulation Paths
Take a look at the plan below and see if you can pick out wasted space areas…
This is so common, space gets drawn for “circulation” and then never actually used for anything functional. The other mistake with circulation is that people do not plan for furnishings when planning paths and the furniture ends up being extremely cumbersome in the path that would actually be used for walking.
Look at this bathroom 2, It is spacious with nothing to show for it. Or what about the dining space… there is a whole lot of nothing happening. The sitting room has an area that is totally separate from the sitting space for storage? Is the sitting space hemorrhaging into the dining or was it just empty and people filled it with a couch? These are all too common mistakes and you need to have a sharp critical eye to make sure your plans are efficient and not just “spacious”. The kitchens could be so much larger, the dining space shouldn’t be an obstacle and just because a second couch fits doesn’t mean anyone will use it.
Windows & Door Placement
Looking at the plan above, we can see several doors that are swinging into a space they shouldn’t. The entry should open inward to allow guests to step in invitingly. The bathrooms should also swing inward; not into the hallway which can inadvertently hit someone walking. The walk- in closet absolutely has space to swing the door into the closet rather than into the bedroom creating a weird pinch point for your significant other who sleeps on that side of the bed. The window in the walk-in closet has been placed prioritizing the exteriors looks and the interior came second for function. Form should always follow function! We want your home to be more than just a box you put your stuff in, it should be a place that you thrive.
Many home plans won’t be as bad as the example above, and are usually the result of innocent mistakes. However, taking a closer look or even having a second pair of eyes on the plans can help avoid these simple mistakes! Now that you know what to watch for, you can make sure your home doesn’t make these mistakes either.
We would love to help you avoid these mistakes and plan a home that is luxurious live in.
2024 Color Trend Forecast
Interior designer color trend predictions for Christmas 2023 and home trends 2024.
Christmas and homes in the next few years are going to become a lot more saturated. As anyone who follows fashion knows it can take a few years for these trends to trickle down into the mainstream. Therefore, if you want to stay ahead of the trends and have what people will want here are my predictions for this holiday and into the following years are bold jewel tones, Dark chocolate-y and nutty browns, and a much more playful use of colors. We are going to see a re-emergence of bold patterns such as; plaids, chinoiserie, paisleys and more. We want something edgy, we want something that speaks to us not something for the masses. Let me know… What do you think?
Should you hire an Interior Designer?
Should you hire a designer and what should you expect when you do.
This is probably one of the most common reasons people don’t want to hire us is the unknown of what it is like and how much it will cost by hiring us. I don’t blame them either! I do the exact same thing. Putting off calling a tree trimmer, a plumber, or any other service professional. We think it is gonna cost an arm and a leg and have heard nightmare stories of working with one.
I'm here to explain how working with an interior designer can benefit you and why you should consider hiring one.
Designers are skilled in more than just decorating, although that is the most enjoyable aspect for many of us. While some individuals have an innate talent for decor, we appreciate the creative ideas that people bring to us. However, a professional interior designer, who has received formal education and acquired extensive experience, possesses additional expertise in areas such as understanding the lifespan of materials, designing functional spaces, adhering to building regulations and considerations for individuals with disabilities, and ensuring a streamlined construction process.
What to expect if you contact a designer to help with a remodel or construction project?
Depending on the project's complexity, we start by getting to know you. Initially, we have a phone call where we discuss your project and determine the next steps. Then, we offer a small consultation to get things started for you or arrange an initial meeting for larger projects. Once I understand your project and requirements, I will send you a contract that outlines my fee. I prefer a fixed fee for most clients as it helps save costs and keeps the project on track.
Hourly contracts are available and based on project and client needs. However, these contracts can be both beneficial and problematic. Opting for hourly billing can save you money if you don't require much help. Yet, some people end up having "nightmare" experiences when they receive a large bill because they underestimate the amount of work designers do behind the scenes. Billed hours include time spent on calls, emails, and other communication related to the project. An ethical designer will communicate with you to ensure you understand what to expect. Take the time to get to know your designer, be cautious, and thoroughly discuss your project to find the best arrangement for you.
Getting to know you…
When a designer visits, lets say your kitchen or bathroom, they take the time to understand your needs. They will ask about the things you store, how much of it, and where it is located. They may also ask if there is anything you want to get rid of. Essentially, they carefully study your space and what is happening there. Having someone so involved in your personal space can make some people feel vulnerable and uncomfortable. However, it's important to know that we are professionals and we are not there to judge you. We understand that everyone has messes in their homes, including us. So, please feel at ease knowing that we are not here to judge your situation, but rather to focus on your project and assist you.
What are the reasons you should consider a designer?
Effective space planning improves your daily life by addressing common issues like lack of storage or inconveniently placed doors. Through careful analysis, we make adjustments to cabinets, furniture layouts, and partitions in your home to enhance functionality. Our aim is to ensure everyone's space accommodates their needs, including individuals with disabilities. For example, we consider factors such as limited range of motion, which affects a significant portion of the population. As the aging population grows, we must design spaces that accommodate both their current and future needs. Simple changes like using lever door knobs or cabinets with pull out shelving can help individuals who have had a stroke or back injury maintain their independence and quality of life.
Construction documents are the papers we designers use to talk to our builders. These are written designs that both parties agreed on and the contractor officially bid on. They help us maintain a unified vision as the project progresses and also give us legal protection if things don't go as planned during construction. We have a documented record of what was supposed to happen and can refer to it if needed.
During construction, clients often encounter challenges that cause anxiety. It is crucial to have your designer involved during this phase. Designers have the expertise to handle difficult conversations with contractors, city inspectors, and other subcontractors. Sometimes, things don't go as planned, such as items being discontinued or long lead times delaying the project. City inspectors may also disagree with certain plans. While clients can manage some issues, they may lack the experience to find answers and hastily settle for subpar solutions. By working with contractors, designers can prevent potential problems and save you thousands of dollars. I've seen clients who tried to manage construction on their own and ended up with a “nightmare” project. They lacked the knowledge to argue with inspectors or know the next steps. Your designer is your advocate and will fight for you. Save yourself the headaches, keep your designer on board during this step.
Now you might be asking yourself…
How do I choose an interior designer?
I suggest contacting multiple designers. Reach out and have a phone conversation! Take a look at their website and reviews if available. Talk to people who have hired a designer and ask about their experience and whether they would hire them again. Some designers, like myself, are just launching our own business and have little to show for our years of experience as it belongs to the firms we worked for before launching our own company. This is why I recommend getting to know each other and if it feels right, have a sit down meeting and maybe… if you’re up for it, take a leap of faith.
Best of luck!
- K