When it comes to redesigning or rebuilding your home, there is certain to be a few elements that you want or need to get as close to perfect as possible. Of course, not all of these will be vital in the long term and knowing what to prioritise in terms of budget, time and resources will ultimately see better decisions made.

You’ve probably got a grand vision in mind of the finished article and that’s fine. At this stage though it is important to separate which aspects you should be focusing on more than others.

The Priorities

Most elements of residential architecture design that you should be placing emphasis on are those that are unchangeable within reason.

Space

Perhaps the number one reason for any extensions or additional buildings, space is critical in the construction of your new space. Efficient planning by you and your architect service can easily work around this, providing you are sure of exactly what you want.

Don’t forget, once your walls and foundations are constructed, you’re not going to be able to move them without spending another large chunk of money.

Think about where you and your family will spend time together or apart. Do certain parts need to be bigger or smaller? Relay this information to whoever is responsible for your residential architecture design and work together to find a solution that will work in the future.

Heating, Lighting and Comfort

Many people neglect to think about the impact on heating, lighting and general comfort but as any good architect or design professional will tell you, it should never be disregarded.

You’re going to have to make sure that your building keeps you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. The way your extension, conversion or new building is constructed will have a direct reflection on the comfort levels that are attained.

For example, loft conversions or extensions that make use of overhead space may be subject to air that is less breathable than that of ground level. In such a case, you and your designer will have to iron out any potential issues before committing to the project. You should also try to get an idea of lighting arrangements. Sometimes windows are not a possibility and so extra lighting is needed. However, this will undoubtedly end with higher energy bills and most planners will be able to competently advise on what is the most desirable course of action.

Ownership

Your home is yours; it belongs to you. Before you even enlisted the help of a residential architecture design professional, you possibly have a perception of the final result. An expert may find faults in your concept but if you let them sway you too far away from your original plan, does your extension really belong to you?

The vast of majority of building specialists will work with you to ensure that you get exactly what you had in mind so don’t be afraid to insist that your stamp is a major part of the project.

Not Such a Priority

The interior designer inside of us all screams at us telling us to arrange décor and decorating in certain ways. Whilst they are responsible for turning a building into a home, they shouldn’t be so prevalently in your mind at the design stage.

Personal Tastes

As we journey through life, our idea of fashion and style can change dramatically. As we’ve seen many times throughout the years, fads come and go and making the latest hot topic a priority can leave you upset a few years down the line when you want a change.

This is evident in the amount of times people redecorate or get rid of old furniture to replace it with a newer, more modern piece. Designing an extension around something that doesn’t have a particularly long lifespan may end up affecting the whole structure, especially if it is all of a sudden outdated a few months down the line.

Technology

Going all out on the technological features of your home can make it look and feel great. Many people now prefer the updated appliances and worktops and there is no problem with that.

Technology is forever advancing though and newer, and potentially energy saving units, are always in development. If you’re somebody who likes to incorporate the latest must have electronics, you’ll want to be sure that it doesn’t cost too much every time you replace your items.

Speaking with a residential architecture design expert can help make sure that you don’t place massive importance on anything that you’re likely going to want to replace in the very near future.

Making the Right Decisions

Here at BDS, we can work with you to ensure that you have everything in place that you should. Paint may chip, wallpaper could peel and sofas can tear. Creating buildings around things that are possibly subject to changes and overhauls is best avoided.

We can help you on your way to getting the perfect residential architect project, without the headaches that can occur further down the line.