What are the most important design considerations for a Self-Build?

5 years ago

Myself and my partner are designing a self-build at the moment and are a bit overwhelmed with all of the wonderful ideas out there! We have done a first draft of the house plans, and have put most of the focus on the living space (open plan kitchen and living room). I think we should also have a pretty big utility. Are there any recommendations you could give me about things we should consider in the house plans? Would love to get your expertise!! :) Thanks

Featured Answer

silyab53

5 years ago

Here's a fun idea for a wet weekend - aren't they all - plan the perfect room sizes on grid paper first, then cut out paper furniture in proportion and arrange it in each of your 'rooms'. It's easy to gauge these once you've spotted your ideal sofa etc. Make a list of all your other 'stuff' then add cupboards/storage to your rooms.
You'll then have an idea of what size rooms you actually need.
If you have a scenic view a 1st floor sitting room is a must but add a small area/cupboard to house an extra kettle, small fridge, glasses and your favourite tipple so you don't have to keep going downstairs.
Hope you have fun!

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Comments (11)

laurz84
5 years ago
Think about the movement of people in the house.

I like a hall, I don't like houses which you go straight into a kitchen or living area.

Also I prefer a living room to be peaceful so I find it annoying to have a living room which people pass through to get to the kitchen unless open plan enough they walk 'past'the living area. No one wants people wandering through when they are watching TV :)

I love having a utility room, makes the kitchen cleaner and it's the one room that u can pile mess if needs be. I would love mine to have a re haul so it's a storage heaven!

Downstairs toilet. ALWAYS.

Light - get as much of it as u can in the house.
michelewilson123 thanked laurz84
michelewilson123
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for your advice. I love the idea of open plan: the feeling of lots of light and space, but I have heard a lot of people say that they started with an open plan and as the years went by, they started to seal it off bit by bit. I think it would be great to have a double doors that you could open up or close, but keep the option of closing them both off if required? It might give more options. I suppose you don't really want kettle noises going on and kitchen smells either! Is the idea of having another seperate sitting room (seperate from the open plan area) a bit too much? I wonder would you actually use it or would it end up just being one of those rooms that lies empty for most of the year!!
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That's looking a lot better. A few followup comments: 1. I agree with bepsf that the opening to the dining (formerly living) from the entry should be an "archway" or similar opening. A pair of pocket doors would work or make sure the french doors can open 180 degrees and stay out of the way. Similarly, I'd add an opening (with french doors if you must) on the other side of the fireplace to match the ones you have. 2. I'd flip the door to the utility room to the left so it aligns with the exterior door. Much more efficient use of space OR (better yet) flip the exterior door to the east and move the countertop to the other side. This way the door won't be as visible from the entry, you'll get more countertop, and the flow will be better. 3. Sitting room - if you need to keep the entrance from the front hall, why not move the fireplace to the southeast corner, flip the couch to the north wall and use this as your formal living room (and no door). The flow into the room will be much better. It also gives you much better use of the bay window. Then you can use the room now labeled "living room" as your more informal sitting/family room. 4. Squeezing past the shower to enter the powder room is still awkward. 5. Kitchen - it looks like the island (I assume that's what's in the middle) should move to the west to give yourself enough space to have a usable counter on the east wall. 4'6" is a pretty good distance between counters.. You seem to have more space than you need between the island and the patio doors. There's also a lot of inefficient space between the fireplace and island. I'd make sure that there's either enough room for a small table, or just make the island and east wall cabinets longer. 6. One last thought - since you rearranged the use of the rooms, had you considered switching between the dining and living? I think this would make things work even better. If you do, I'd go back to my comment of opening the sitting room from the study ha
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Lots of ideas....couldn't resist adding my two cents. i copied your photos and did a little cut and paste- it's messy, but hopefully gets the main idea across. i'd put your sofa in front of the large book case, chair by the fireplace, tv on the stand on the wall opposite the fireplace - so you can either look at the fire or the tv. Someone suggested using frames of one color for your photos - an inexpensive way to do that would be to spray paint them all a dark color-black goes with everything. Since your shelves are a medium tone wood, display things that are dark or light so that they contrast against the wood. Limiting your display items pallette to a few values usually helps to unify things. (I think that's why so many people want to paint the shelves or put inserts in the back to help your nice things read more clearly...some get lost). If you want to "splurge" -you may consider having a carpenter make a few solid tall cabinet doors to provide a visual break in the shelving. I'm showing 3 doors - 1 on the right side of the fireplace and 2 on the left to leave two open vertical shelves for display on each side - with things arranged to frame the fireplace as the focal point. To add some height to your big vases, consider stacking some books beneath them. Enjoy experimenting untill you get something you're happy with - good luck!
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Lady Tottington's Poodle
5 years ago
If everything has a home then there's no excuse for it not to be put away. So planning far ahead is really important. Even down to were you put the shopping bags to unload into a pantry or fridge, where you store your coats, keep your xmas decs and a that stuff. Planning planning and more planning. X
michelewilson123 thanked Lady Tottington's Poodle
michelewilson123
Original Author
5 years ago
Yes that is very good advice. Would you start the 'storage planning' at the furnishing stage (make some built ins etc)? It is very hard to visualise that far ahead when you are looking at the squares of the rooms in the house plans! :) I guess that's the brilliant thing about a self-build, you really can create it to work with your lifestyle...but scary too, because you know if you forget something or something doesn't work...it's because you yourself designed it that way! :) Gotta take the advice of the professionals on it too definitely...builder etc...
Lady Tottington's Poodle
5 years ago
You need to have everything planned to the very last detail before you even break ground. That way you know exactly where everything is needed. And the build will go up quicker and cost less. So spend at least twice as much time planning as you think you need. With someone who drawers it up in 3d is best as you can really see the space well and they can put in stuff like sofas to the right size so you know where all the electrics and stuff need to go for lamp tables etc
Drawings like these is what I mean.
http://houzz.com/pro/oneplan
Interior ones not builders plans, as if you ask you architect to do interior design stuff it will cost heaps . So use a designer then give the final design to architect to update the info onto his drawings just once. Much cheaper. Hope that helps x
foreverhomeandmore
5 years ago
We've just bought a probate house that hasn't been touched for at least 50 years, it's funny how people lived in a completely different way back then! I assume you got the best architect you can afford; get his plans nice and early and work with them on further improving the flow of your house. We are driving ours mad already, but it's all part of the game!
michelewilson123
Original Author
5 years ago
That link is very good, I guess it makes a lot of sense to have everything worked out to that level of detail... I'd better get back to the drawing board then!! :)
PRO
OnePlan
5 years ago
Hi - there's a very long post from the USA version of Houzz that is worth reading and copy/pasting any bits relevant to you ... Takes ages to read and some things doubled up - but deffo worth it !! Full of practical ideas like the outside gas connection for BBQ and planning in Christmas light sockets outside - to mention a couple !

http://houzz.com/discussions/84124

Happy reading !!
michelewilson123 thanked OnePlan
laurz84
5 years ago
Definitely think about cupboards. New builds never have storage so you have the benefit of including some you are very lucky.

I have a 1970s house and there are quite a few built in cupboards so everything can have a home...the vacuum, xmas decs, the paperwork, towels, bedding. I love it.

The only thing that ends up in the loft is the xmas tree.
PRO
Potton Self Build
5 years ago
Hi Michele, self build is very exciting and we wish you luck for your upcoming project. We have various tips when it comes to our customers designing their home. As some have suggested above understanding how you and your family occupy the space is fundamental in making those early design decisions.

We also tell self builders to put 'wants and needs' into 3 columns, must have, nice to have and luxury. This helps define budget and start with the fundamentals before progressing to those items such as cinema rooms or a top end kitchen worktop. There are many helpful tips on our Self Build Academy website also plenty of design and interior inspiration at Potton Self Build Galleries

Before you decide that building your home is right for you, ask yourself four questions;
1. Do you have the time and commitment to see your project through to the end.
2. Do you have the skills and knowledge required for the task ahead
3. Do you understand the cost involved and do you have enough money to complete the build
4. Do you have a constitution strong enough to see you through both the highs and lows of building your own home
Provided you understand your answers to these questions and can ‘fill the gaps’ when it comes to skills, knowledge, time and funding, then press ahead and enjoy what is probably going to be one of the most rewarding experiences that you will ever have in your lifetime!

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What are the most important design considerations for a Self-Build?

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michelewilson123Original Author

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