THE HOME DESIGN PROCESS
Designing your own home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. It is likely your largest financial investment, the place where your family will live and grow, and a structure that may stand for generations. Good design is essential because it creates comfort, efficiency, beauty, and long-term value, making thoughtful planning crucial.
Poor design, however, can lead to daily frustration, unnecessary expense, difficult maintenance, and costly renovations that could have been avoided. The home design process may seem complex, but with the right approach, it becomes manageable, logical, and even enjoyable, helping you feel capable and in control of your project.
THE 'WAGON WHEEL' APPROACH TO DESIGN
Many people imagine home design as a straight line of steps, but in reality, it works more like a wagon wheel.
Each spoke represents a critical factor to consider simultaneously: the site, your lifestyle, budget, flow, curb appeal, environmental responsibility, structural buildability, accessibility, long-term needs, expansion, resale value, maintenance, and even fun.
Ignore one spoke, or complete one before the others are considered, and the wheel wobbles. Balance them, and the design rolls smoothly toward a successful home.
The best way to begin is loosely and visually, not with detailed drawings. Start with bubble diagrams, simple blobs representing spaces and how they relate to one another and the site. Focus on relationships, not dimensions: public vs. private areas, daily travel routes, views, sunlight, and connection to the outdoors.
Once the big ideals feel right, move on to ‘bumwad’ overlays (tracing paper over sketches). Gradually introduce walls, approximate sizes, structural logic, and circulation. Each overlay refines the previous one, resolving conflicts between the ‘spokes’ of the design wheel. Budget, structure, site conditions, and lifestyle needs should be checked continuously, not after the design is finished.
Good design is a stack of overlays, each an improvement over the last.
HOW TO START
Pick the ‘spoke’ that is most important to you. In the past, I have started a house based on a photograph (how it looks from the outside) or how a floor plan relates to the property. I’ve started budget-based plans with square footage as the driving factor, and I’ve started drawings based on a structural grid.
Begin with the basics, then proceed around the wheel, sketching each element to stay on track. Start with the outside elevation, then add the floor plan, measure square footage to stay within budget, and finally, outline the roofline to check structural spans.
You may need to move a wall or rearrange rooms slightly, then start again. Keep all the spokes the same length, and you’ll roll smoothly.
turning daily life into a design plan
A good home is shaped around real life, not wishful thinking. Your routines, family size, work habits, hobbies, privacy needs, and storage requirements all form the ‘program’ of the home.
Before drawing walls, define what spaces you truly need and how they should relate. A clear program can bring peace of mind, making the design process smoother and your home more functional.
letting the site shape the design
Every successful home begins with the site. The slope of the land, sun angles, views, drainage, soil, access, and neighboring properties all influence the best placements and form of the house.
When the design responds naturally to the land, the home feels comfortable, efficient, and ‘right’. Ignoring the site often leads to problems like poor drainage, awkward grading, dark interiors, and higher construction costs, underscoring the need for thoughtful land analysis.
Start by understanding the land and let it guide the design
DESIGNING WITH COST IN MIND
Budget is not something to check after the design is finished. It must guide decisions from the beginning.
Size, shape, structure, roof complexity, and material choices all influence cost. A well-designed home uses space efficiently, avoids unnecessary complexity, and delivers value where it matters most.
Good design does not mean spending more; it means spending wisely.
CREATING COMFORTABLE 'FLOW'
Flow is how a home feels in motion – how you enter, move, gather, and live within it.
Good flow creates natural paths, logical room relationships, and a sense of ease, making daily living more enjoyable. Poor flow leads to wasted space, awkward circulation, and daily frustration. Thoughtful layout design connects public and private spaces, supports routines, and enhances your home’s livability.
Hint: Design your home as if you were hosting a large cocktail party tonight, with a large group of people circulating. Don’t let anybody get ‘trapped’ in a corner.
CURB APPEAL on all four sides
The exterior of your home sets expectations before anyone steps inside. Your home’s style reflects your personal style.
Proportion, roof shape, entry emphasis, windows, and materials all work together to create a curb appeal.
A well-composed exterior feels balanced, welcoming, and timeless. Good curb appeal is not about decoration – it is about harmony and proportion.
Also, your home should look good from all four sides, as a balanced exterior boosts overall curb appeal and property value.
SMARTER, GREENER HOME DESIGN
A well-designed home works with its environment, not against it.
Orientation, insulation, window placement, shading, and efficient systems all influence comfort and energy use. Thoughtful environmental design reduces operating costs, improves indoor comfort, and lessens long-term impact.
Many of the best sustainable strategies begin at the design stage.
DEFINING THE CHARACTER OF YOUR HOME
Style gives your home personality and identity. Whether traditional, modern, farmhouse, or something in between, consistency matters.
The exterior form, interior details, materials, and proportions should work together to create a unified character.
Good design is not about copying a style – it is about interpreting it thoughtfully.
KEEPING THE DESIGN BUILDABLE
A beautiful design must also be buildable. Structural spans, framing alignment, load paths, and roof geometry all influence cost, durability, and ease of construction.
When structure and design work together, the home is stronger, simpler, and more economical.
Ignoring structure often leads to expensive revisions later.
ACCESSIBLE BY DESIGN
Accessibility is not only for special situations – it improves comfort for everyone.
Thoughtful entry design, wider circulation paths, minimal level changes, and adaptable spaces make a home easier and safer to live in.
Good accessibility planning allows the home to support you through all stages of life.
FUTURE-READY HOME DESIGN
Families grow, needs change, and lifestyles evolve.
A well-designed home anticipates these changes with flexible spaces, adaptable rooms, and long-term thinking.
Planning for the future does not require predicting everything; it means allowing the home to adapt over time.
PLANNING FOR TOMORROW'S ADDITIONS
Some homes require growth over time. Planning for expansion early, structurally, spatially, and on the site, makes future additions easier and more affordable.
Without early planning, expansions often feel awkward and expensive. Consider designing your home in phases. Good design keeps options open.
TIMELESS DESIGN THAT HOLDS VALUE
Even if you plan to stay forever, resale value matters. Balanced proportions, practical layouts, durable materials, and broad appeal help preserve long-term value.
Overly specialized or trendy design choices can limit future marketability. Good design balances personal taste with lasting appeal.
BUILD SMART, MAINTAIN LESS
Design decisions shape maintenance. Simpler rooflines, durable materials, proper drainage, and thoughtful detailing reduce long-term maintenance and costs.
Designing for low maintenance means fewer repairs, fewer surprises, and more time enjoying your home.
BRINGING JOY INTO EVERYDAY LIVING
A home should do more than function – it should feel good. Your home should be a joyful place to live.
Natural light, meaningful spaces, favorite views, cozy corners, and personal touches bring happiness to everyday life.
Practical design makes a home work. Inspired design makes it fun.
avoiding the MOST COMMON DESIGN MISTAKES
Even thoughtful projects can go wrong when key design principles are overlooked. Many common mistakes are not dramatic – they are subtle decisions that create daily inconvenience, unnecessary expense, or long-term regret. The good news is that most are avoidable when recognized early.
One of the most frequent mistakes is designing without fully understanding the site. Poor orientation, weak drainage planning, and ignoring sun and views can permanently limit comfort and efficiency. Another is designing beyond the budget – creating a home that looks right on paper but is difficult or costly to build. Size alone does not create quality; proportion, efficiency, and thoughtful planning matter more.
Poor flow is another common problem. Awkward circulation, wasted hall space, and weak room relationships often reveal themselves only after construction, when they are hardest to correct. Overly complex shapes and rooflines can also add cost, increase maintenance, and complicate construction without improving livability.
Designing only for today is another frequent oversight. Homes that cannot adapt to aging, family change, or future needs often require costly renovation later. Similarly, ignoring maintenance, accessibility, and resale considerations can reduce long-term satisfaction and value.
Most design mistakes happen when one spoke of the design wheel is emphasized, while others are ignored. Good design is balanced, thoughtful, and iterative. Recognizing common pitfalls early is one of the most valuable steps in creating a successful home.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The first plan that you come up with is NEVER the final.
Be patient and content in making several small improvements. Progress, not perfection is the key.