Have you ever looked at an older picture of yourself and thought, “What in the world was I thinking with that outfit or haircut?”
If the answer is yes, realize that you’re in good company.
We’ve ALL been influenced by other people, popular fads, good or bad moods, etc. And sometimes the decisions we make turn out to be less than stellar.
But with a bad outfit, you can easily stop wearing it, and in the case of a bad haircut— well, it DOES grow back.
Building a custom home, on the other hand, tends to leave a more lasting imprint. And reversing decisions will probably have significant consequences on your finances.
So regardless of your preferences—trendy or timeless—there is a WISE way to approach the thousands of architectural and design decisions you’ll have to make.
Let’s break it down to the ABC’s of home-building choices.
1) Allow Time to Explore Possibilities Adequately
Twenty years ago, it wasn’t so easy to figure out what your custom home options were unless you scoured magazines, visited design centers, or got the inside scoop from an interior designer.
Now the challenge is NOT to get overloaded with the zillions of choices that are literally a few keystrokes away. Pinterest and Instagram alone could provide all the visual context you need to decide on a style that resonates with you.
But that being said, it IS essential to allow yourself the time to REALLY know what’s out there.
Think On This: Trending STYLES tend to be front-and-center in the stores we visit—online and brick & mortar. But it’s crucial to make sure that what you’re drawn to, also matches the functionality your lifestyle requires.
2) Blend Timeless Staples With Trending Accents
Perhaps you find yourself in the middle of timeless and trendy because all of the features you like don’t necessarily fall into just one space.
Besides, who wouldn’t want to feel that their home choices WILL stand the test of time AND appeal to what is currently appreciated?
Not to mention, there is always the ever-present RESALE VALUE to consider.
The good news is that it’s entirely possible to blend both. The caution is that it won’t happen by accident, and there is a best-case-scenario.
Think On This: When it comes to the staples like flooring, cabinets, windows, wall colors, etc. a timeless style will most likely give you the most “bang for your buck.” It is very costly to change these more extensive features. And a timeless “flavor” will show well when you need to sell. View your accents, like furniture, decor, color schemes of smaller spaces, and appliances as the areas that you can safely choose the trending styles you love.
3) Consider Flow and Natural Light as Ever-Present Priorities
Whether you are wholly committed to what is timeless, or you’re magnetically-drawn to trending styles, it’s important to prioritize two considerations:
- The flow of your home
- The availability of natural light
There was a time when spaces were much more defined. Each room had its own separate space. Floor-plans were more cut-up. Now popular design seems to involve more rooms spilling into other areas—ie. The open floor-plan.
Impacted by the actual floor-plan is the availability of natural light that you can take advantage of.
Both characteristics—flow and lighting— POWERFULLY influence the overall function and feel of a home and should be considered as priorities in the “global” decision-making.
Think On This: Layer your design choices AROUND a floor-plan that flows well and the best natural lighting options you can afford. Changing or adding these desired qualities after the fact is a significant time and financial commitment. And a favorable flow and well-lit home is always timeless AND trending.
Did You Know?
The Westmont team HAS stood the test of time and continues to be a current choice to build your dream home. Reach out to Jim at westmontfl@gmail.com to start a conversation today!
