How to design a custom home you can’t wait to live in 

how to design a custom home

Don’t get us started on the excitement that comes with designing a custom home! Sure, it’s not all just pretty Pinterest boards, and there will be challenges along the way, but the opportunity to create a space uniquely tailored to your lifestyle, your lot, and your budget is what gets us up in the morning. 

If you’re considering designing a custom home, here are some tips on how to go about it. 

Choose a design-build company 

When choosing to build a custom home, our first recommendation (and yes, we may be biased) is to select a company—like ours—that offers a comprehensive, one-stop approach for both designing and building your home.

The biggest advantage? A streamlined and stress-free construction experience. As a homeowner, you won’t need to juggle multiple contractors or professionals who may not be used to working together. Unlike traditional construction methods, where separate contracts are needed for designers and builders, the design-build model combines everything under one contract between you and your builder.

This method is growing in popularity because it simplifies the process, reduces complexity, and saves valuable time compared to traditional homebuilding approaches.

Familiarize yourself with the custom home design process 

We’ve honed a clear, step-by-step design-build process to make your custom home journey as smooth and predictable as possible. 

These are the steps involved in the initial design of your home: 

Step 1: The initial consultation

Clear communication upfront avoids surprises later and sets the project on the right path. We sit down with you to understand your goals, needs, and vision. Do you want a modern farmhouse with an open floor plan, or a more classic design? Are you building from scratch or adding onto your current home?

We also discuss your budget. Knowing your financial framework helps us give you realistic options from the beginning and helps you prioritize your spending. 

You may also be interested in: Is building a custom home more expensive?

During the consultation phase, we also ask practical questions: What kind of lot are we working with? Do you need special features, like an oversized garage, a home office, or a guest suite? These answers help us understand the scope of your project and start sketching out a plan that aligns with your vision and your budget.

Step 2: The design phase

With your goals and budget in mind, we move into design, which starts with a thorough analysis of your lot. We consider factors like topography, views, sunlight, and neighborhood guidelines. The goal is to design a home that works with the landscape. Take this Waterman’s Bluff home, for example, which is situated strategically to capture uninterrupted views across the marsh. 

Watermans Bluff 38 - John Merrill Homes Portfolio

Once we understand the lot’s constraints and opportunities, we begin sketching out preliminary plans. These include floor plans, exterior elevations, and a site layout that help your ideas take shape on paper. If you want an open-concept kitchen and living area, we’ll draft that. If symmetry and traditional design elements appeal to you, we’ll incorporate them.

As a qualified interior designer, I love helping you create detailed specifications for materials and finishes. You get to choose everything from flooring and cabinetry to lighting fixtures and roofing materials. Does that sound overwhelming? Don’t worry—I’ll be your best bud through the entire process. These specifications ensure clarity and keep the project on track. For example, in our San Marco project, the colonial-inspired design included specific details like louvered shutters, dentil molding, and a copper roof. 

San Marco 02 - John Merrill Homes Portfolio

Step 3: Presenting the design

Now it’s time to see your custom home come to life on paper. We present the preliminary plans, material specifications, and a breakdown of site-related costs. We walk you through each element and invite your feedback, as we believe in getting everything right on paper before construction begins to save time, money, and stress.

Ready to move on to construction? You can learn more about the rest of our process here. 

Why our process works

Designing a custom home is a significant undertaking, but having a solid, transparent design and build process makes it manageable, and even enjoyable. Our step-by-step approach focuses on clear communication, quality craftsmanship, and delivering a final product that reflects your vision.

We also know that staying on budget and on schedule is crucial. With detailed specifications, accurate site analysis, and a collaborative design process, we minimize the risk of unexpected changes. By the time construction starts, you’ll know exactly what to expect.

Ready to design your custom home?

A custom home is a reflection of your lifestyle, your values, and your dreams. We take pride in guiding you through the process from the first consultation to the final walkthrough.
If you’re considering building a custom home, we’d love to help you design a space that’s uniquely yours.

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