Lesson 3: House Design - The Nitty Gritty
These lesson sections will deal with techniques on how to visualize the design you created, how to avoid the most common design errors, and the most challenging issue of all; how to design to a budget
Most Common Design Errors
Everyone’s a critic! Nevertheless here are my pet peeves for the most common design errors I often see. Regarding exterior aesthetics allowing the garage to be the dominating architectural statement, not integrated into design of house. Remember the garage by nature of its size is prominent and by its functional requirements is bland.
A more general criticism is the lack of attention to detail, not following through with the design concept or style, usually because budget dollars have run short.
Also, many of us are tempted by a good idea seen in a magazine or elsewhere that doesn't fit the concept of our house design. One strong concept followed through is much more pleasing than a mix and match of many disparate, no matter how good, ideas.
I often see color errors, especially coordinating brick exteriors, siding and trim colors, roof shingle color. Regarding exterior function be careful of valleys running into chimneys, dormers too close together causing snow drifting and ice backup or windows at the second floor which are too close to a porch roof.
I see a lot of garage to house connections where the roofs are in opposite directions creating trapped valleys, especially where the garage is forward.
Be wary of unconventional details. Here are a couple I often seen; providing no overhangs allowing water to drip down siding as well as eliminating ventilation, exterior decks over interior spaces (leaks). As a rule, don't try and reinvent the wheel. It is better to put standard details together in a unique fashion.
Regarding interior aesthetics the most common mistakes are long corridors and a poor flow between rooms. Remember, a home is appreciated as you move through it room to room. Again too many disparate "good" ideas, a detail or room finish taken out of context because you liked it, but just doesn't fit.
Interior functional mistakes include not enough care with kitchen appliance clearances. Do refrigerator door swings open fully? Also, dishwasher locations causing dead corner spaces, laundry rooms too small to iron and fold sheets. Make sure your closet dimensions are not too shallow for hanging, 24" minimum. Walk-in closets should allow hanging plus door swings plus standing room; 72" is the preferred width.
Are your bathrooms too small, especially powder rooms (remember the comfort of your guests) and children's baths (imagine two teenage girls sharing a bath). Finally take time to pay proper attention to door swings into fixtures, other doors, etc.
Things to Ponder:
1. Have you overlaid your plans to confirm bearing wall/beam/post locations align roof to floor to floor to basement?
2. Have you kept good control of your budget? Are you close to square footage target? Have you done your homework, especially as it relates to cabinet and countertop, lighting, flooring allowances, etc.? Remember when budgets have to be cut, the first things to go are the special details, the quality finishes, the finishing touches.
3. Are you completely happy with your design, or is there a nagging feeling below the surface, or maybe a criticism that rings true emotionally if not intellectually? Note: all problems work themselves out, changes in one area often lead to strengthening the design elsewhere. Patience is required!
RESOURCES
1. Real estate listings & Realtors. Why is a house on the market longer that others, what features to Realtors suggest for resale value?
