Home customization is the key to creating the house of your dreams. For many people, however, having so many options feels overwhelming. There are dozens of decisions to make at every step of the process, and each will impact your living space for years to come. Even with clear goals in mind, you’ll have a lot on your plate. To help make home customization easier, Segal & Morel in Easton, Pennsylvania, which builds custom and planned community homes, offer tips for managing the process.
Budget and Prioritize
Before you begin exploring customization options, your first step is to make a budget. It’s easy to get carried away and stretch your finances with home customization. There are just too many great features and upgrades. To avoid spending more than you can afford, decide on a budget ahead of time and stick to it.
You’ll also need to choose your priorities. No matter how large your budget is, there will still be moments when you have to decide between features. Sit down with your family and make a list of must-haves. If you do this early in the process, you can focus on what’s most important to you.
Consider Function and Flow
Choosing countertops and cabinets is exciting, but don’t forget about the big picture. Your home customizations should support your day-to-day lifestyle with a priority on function. Start by visualizing daily life in the house you are designing. If there are any places where layout gets in the way of comfort or convenience, you might want to rearrange. As you plan, consider these tips:
- Keep your bedrooms away from communal areas to reduce noise for sleeping family members.
- Put your kitchen close to an entryway so you won’t have to haul groceries too far.
- Plan your laundry room closer to your bedrooms for easier laundry days.
- Enlarge rooms that will be used often, to entertain, or by more than one or two family members at a time.
- Make sure there’s plenty of storage space for clothing, seasonal items, kids toys, and more.
Overall, your home should accommodate the way you live, the things you love to do, and everything that’s most important to you.
Plan for the Future
As you plan home customizations, don’t just design for now. Most homeowners plan to enjoy their space for years to come, so it pays to consider future needs alongside current requirements. Ask yourself:
- Will your family grow?
- Will parents or older relatives need to move in?
- Will you work at home or start a home business?
When you customize your home with the future in mind, you avoid having to move or renovate when tomorrow becomes today.
At the same time, you should also consider resale value. If and when you decide to move, will your personalization hurt your resale options? If in doubt, choose features that will appeal to potential buyers.
Work with Expert Home Builders
Finally, don’t go it alone. When it comes to all the intricacies of home customization, rely on the expertise of an experienced builder. By partnering with Segal & Morel, you gain access to generations of experience and award-winning design insights. We’ll guide you through the process to ensure your dream home is everything you’ve ever wanted. To find out more about home customization options for New Jersey and Pennsylvania, contact us online, call 610-923-8422, or visit us at our headquarters located at 301 Newlins Rd E in Easton, PA.
