Whether you are breaking ground for a new home, planning an addition, or simply renovating, architects, designers, and contractors play a vital role in any successful new build.
Architects bring a trained eye for structure, adherence to building codes and permits, and the overall integrity of the structure’s design. Your designer guides the layout to ensure you build a liveable space to meet your daily needs. Then your contractor schedules trades and leads the build to the finish line.
These three key professionals provide the triad of a successful team. Without them, you may find yourself making one of these costly missteps. Take a look…
1. No Practical Planning for Effortless Function
While an architect pays close attention to the structural design, your designer looks closely at the interior space and how you will use it. For example, she considers whether there are enough closets and if they are large enough to fit your needs.
Designers also look at window and door arrangements to decide on furniture placement and flow. Then they create a furniture plan that ensures the space works for your needs. For example, they’ll spend time determining the best placement for your television in your open-concept living room.
They will also look at window placement to consider how the window treatments will fit into the scheme making sure there are clearances for drapery etc. Designers are experts at guiding you on where to splurge and where to save.
2. Forgetting Practical Storage Features
Functional storage is a crucial consideration for any home. Beyond aesthetics, a designer can offer another set of eyes to ensure your plan has plenty of practical storage. Is there a place for tall storage like brooms and a vacuum cleaner? What about small appliances like food processors, air fryers, etc.? Maybe there is hockey equipment that goes in and out the door daily.
Thinking through your storage needs is time well spent at the beginning of any project, and it will make your life easier every day.
3. Haphazard Lighting Layout
Lighting is an essential step in any project. But first, you must plan what you’d like to illuminate. For example, art placement will dictate whether you need special lighting to feature individual pieces.
Overhead lighting needs to follow the furniture placement, so you don’t find yourself grabbing a baseball hat to block a harsh overhead light while watching tv. And you can plan for a light over a breakfast table once you have selected the table size and placement so the proportion is correct.
Don’t skip any critical planning steps if you are embarking on a new build or planning a renovation. Whether you do it yourself or bring in a designer, you can prevent regrets by planning your new build or renovation thoroughly.
Your design team will walk you through all of the steps in the proper order. So let them take the reins. They have done this a few times before (wink).
If you would like some support designing your perfect home, we would love to help. Reach out, and let’s get to know each other. Or take our Style Quiz to find your decorating style.
Warmly,
Judith
