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Planning a Custom Home in Orlando? 10 Design Decisions to Make Before Construction Begins
Designing a custom home gives you thousands of choices.
The easiest way to keep those choices manageable is to make the most important decisions first.
If you are planning a custom home in Orlando or Central Florida, here are ten design decisions worth addressing before construction begins.
1. One Story or Two?
This decision affects nearly everything else, including the floor plan, stairs, roof design, footprint, outdoor space, and separation between public and private areas.
A single-story home can offer convenient accessibility, while a two-story design may preserve more of the property for outdoor living.
2. Open or Defined Living Spaces?
Open kitchens and living rooms remain popular, but completely open plans are not ideal for everyone.
Some homeowners prefer subtle separation between spaces through ceiling changes, furniture layouts, partial walls, or architectural elements.
3. Where Should the Primary Suite Be?
Consider privacy, views, outdoor access, proximity to children's rooms, and separation from entertaining spaces.
The primary suite should feel connected to the home without being placed directly in the middle of its busiest areas.
4. How Important Is the Kitchen?
For many homeowners, the kitchen becomes the center of the home.
Determine your priorities early, including island size, pantry storage, appliance configuration, seating, circulation, and connections to dining and outdoor entertaining areas.
5. Do You Need a Home Office?
Remote and hybrid work have made dedicated workspaces increasingly useful.
Think about acoustics, natural light, privacy, storage, and whether clients or visitors will ever need access to the office.
6. What Kind of Outdoor Living Do You Want?
Central Florida homes can benefit significantly from well-designed outdoor areas.
Consider covered patios, lanais, pools, outdoor kitchens, courtyards, fireplaces, and connections between the interior living areas and backyard.
7. How Much Storage Do You Need?
Storage is easier to incorporate during design than to add later.
Consider closets, pantry space, linen storage, garage storage, utility areas, attic access, and built-in cabinetry.
8. How Should the Garage Function?
Think beyond the number of cars.
The garage may also need room for bicycles, tools, recreational equipment, storage cabinets, a refrigerator, or charging equipment.
Its relationship to the kitchen, mudroom, and laundry room is also important.
9. What Architectural Style Do You Want?
The architectural style influences rooflines, windows, materials, entryways, proportions, and exterior detailing.
Collect examples of homes you like, but focus on the characteristics you are drawn to rather than trying to duplicate one particular property.
10. What Are Your Long-Term Needs?
A custom home should work now, but it is also worth thinking several years ahead.
Future family needs, aging in place, guests, work arrangements, and resale flexibility can all influence smart design decisions.
Custom Home Design in Greater Orlando
A successful custom home is the result of hundreds of decisions working together.
Design Winter Park provides custom residential design, space planning, remodeling, additions, and construction document services throughout greater Orlando, including Winter Park, Maitland, Baldwin Park, and College Park.
Making the major decisions during the design phase helps create a clearer plan before contractors and construction crews enter the picture.
Planning a Custom Home or Residential Project?
Design Winter Park provides custom home design, residential planning, remodeling design, and construction document services throughout Winter Park and the greater Orlando area.
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