Create your outlines 

 

Write up the “minimalist” and “wining the lottery” designs.  Write down a list of things you would build if you had unlimited funds, and separately the “absolute bare minimum” you need.  Jot down notes as you see something you like.  You might find ideas in another home, a restaurant, a bank, a home you loved growing up, a church, whatever… Think through both homes and yards (the home is part of the acreage you build on so take that into account).  If you really want an outside pool where is the right place for it and the nearby bathroom and so on.

 

Write up your WANTS and NEEDS (dream house vs. minimalist house)

Text Box: August’s perfect home would have: radiant heat flooring throughout; a movie room; full library around the 2nd story open to the computer room below (railings around); it would have tile, bamboo, linoleum and cork throughout.  All bedrooms would have a private bath and we would have 4 bedrooms instead of 3 (a guest room).  There are a few window seats and a couple of unique stained glass windows.  There would also be extra bookshelves in the living space.  I would have a telescope pad built on the roof somewhere so I could have an unobstructed view of the night sky.  It would have geothermal and a masonry stove and a traditional Amish type wood stove.  The kitchen would be only slightly larger with a six burner stainless steel stove.  We would have a chest freezer AND an upright freezer for more long term storage of items.  It would be on 10acres+ with a view of water but not on the water; with a pond and would have a barn/project building, chicken coop and wood shed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: August’s must have – highly efficient long term home.  Low maintenance.  Must have kitchen, dining, living, laundry, pantry, computer room, 2 bedrooms and 1 full bath on main floor (handicap plan).   Use space under porch as root cellar.  Use all extra space for storage.  Must have access to attic including catwalk; ceiling fans throughout.  Not so big that it’s hard to heat or clean, big enough for our family of four and a guest.  Storm windows on the north, east and west. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing up something like this in as much detail as possible gives you an image of what you want. Then write up what you must have. Notice there is no mention of specific square footage, or layouts yet.  You will get pulled in that direction as you try to lay out the home.

 

Actually laying it out.  Now that you have two sets of expectations draw up the 2nd (must have) design on paper. Draw it a few times, moving things around, include the garage include flows of how you would walk into the house.  One way is to cut out squares of paper representing the spaces you need and shuffling them around to find the right layout.  Mark where you would spend time in the house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, if you have a computer (and you probably do since this is on the web), try using a program like “3d home 3.0”.  It’s dirt cheap and will allow you to get a 3d view of your future home. 

 

When designing our home we had over 100 blueprints (diagrams) over the years we planned for this home.  Again you can do it.  Draw it on paper if needed, on computer if you can.  If you can’t visualize the space take pictures, or cut out pictures from magazines of spaces you want to duplicate.