Building a home is like embarking on an epic adventure — complete with unexpected twists, a few nail-biting moments, and ultimately, a happy ending (hopefully). It’s a huge undertaking, but we’ve got the best advice we’ve ever received to guide you along the way. Let’s dive into the wisdom we’ve gathered from pros, clients, and yes, even our own uh-oh moments!
01. Design for how you live, not for how you want people to think you live
We’ve all fallen into the trap of designing for aesthetics — especially with Instagram and Pinterest making everything look so perfect. But the reality is that your life is not a perfectly staged photo shoot (no matter how many throw pillows you buy). Your home should reflect the way you actually live. Do you have kids? Pets? An uncontrollable shoe habit? Design your home with those real-life needs in mind. Prioritize functionality — storage, durable surfaces, and layouts that work for your lifestyle. Trust us, designing for you is way better than pretending to be someone else on the internet.
02. Think about the future — and build for it
Building a house isn’t just about today; it’s about tomorrow, too. This is especially important if you’re planning on staying for the long haul. Will your family grow? Will your needs change as you age? Even if you don’t have kids yet, think about extra bedrooms, storage space, and adaptable layouts that can grow with you. It’s much easier to design with the future in mind than to try and add an extra room in 10 years (and trust us, no one likes living in a construction zone again).
03. Communication is key — don’t assume anything!
Working closely with your interior designer is the best way to bring your dream space to life. We’re here to make your vision a reality, but that only happens with open communication. It’s always better to ask too many questions than none at all — after all, no detail is too small when it comes to your home! Don’t worry about hurting our feelings if you want to change something; we don’t take it personally. We’re here to work with you every step of the way, and we’d rather make adjustments now than have you live with something you’re not 100% happy with. So speak up, check in regularly, and let’s make sure we’re always on the same page!
04. Invest in the foundation — literally and figuratively
This is the one area where you absolutely should not cut corners. A solid foundation is essential to the longevity of your home. You wouldn’t build a house of cards on a wobbly table, would you? The same logic applies here. Make sure your foundation and structural elements are top-notch, even if it means tightening your belt elsewhere. Trust us, future you will thank you when your home is still standing strong decades from now.
05. Patience is a virtue — and also a survival skill
No matter how well you plan, building a home takes time — and probably more of it than you expect. Delays happen, whether it’s a back-ordered material, an unexpected issue with the site, or a rogue snowstorm that shuts everything down for a week. Try to keep your eyes on the big picture, stay patient, and remind yourself that good things take time. After all, this is your dream home in the making!
Final thought: Building a home is a marathon, not a sprint. With the right mindset (and some sage advice), you’ll end up with a space that’s not just a house but a reflection of everything you love about life.