How Can I Make a Good House Design

Source: © Shannon McGrath www.archdaily.com/321955/seaview-house-jackson-clements-burrows-architects/50fccf39b3fc4b068c0000c8-seaview-house-jackson-clements-burrows-architects-photo

Think about these last few years and how the obsession with house design ideas and home decor has grown astronomically. It is no coincidence that during this time we were spending a disproportionate amount of time at home because of the pandemic. We have been able to witness and test firsthand the effect that our house design styles have on our moods and well-being, even if we can’t put a finger on what exactly is affecting it.

If you’re wondering: How can I make a good house design? There are three key things to keep in mind if you’re in the process of buying, finding, building, or redecorating a home, especially now that we’re spending as much time as we’re doing at home. These things can impact your mood, overall happiness, and even the relationship of those living in the house.

First, in regard to space, you have to think about what activities are absolutely essential to those in your household. It can be day-to-day things, hobbies, work, or whatever activity is performed regularly. This way, you can get an idea of how many activities are done solo and which ones are done in groups. This is particularly important because providing sufficient space for privacy and for sharing is key to living together harmoniously. If we think about this in practical terms: dining and living spaces should have ample room and a good distribution where everyone can be seated comfortably to promote meals together —which is a healthy practice— and to avoid conflict. Equally important is to dedicate space to solo activities; imagine having to practice an instrument, study, or work in a cramped space; you’ll likely be annoyed and uncomfortable and prone to take it out on a family member.

Related to this first point is the issue of ceiling height. As a rule, higher ceilings foster free-flow thinking, abstract thought processes, and creativity, while lower ceilings encourage concentration. In this sense, dining and living spaces, creative studios, and even bedrooms are optimal with higher ceilings, promoting conversation, free movement, and creativity. In fact, a 2015 study done by the University of Toronto found that in high-ceiling rooms, MRI scans of participants showed areas of the brain that aid visual navigation and behavior to be stimulated. On the other hand, home offices could benefit from lower ceilings, enabling concentration, which is why spaces such as operating rooms typically have them. To place the importance of both, picture cooking in a space that is low, small, and cramped; or working in a space that feels cavernous and huge. There is something inherent to the space that doesn’t foster its function.

Source: https://www.midcenturyhome.com/modernism-sarah-wallers-doonan-glass-house/

A second key point is lighting. Now, certainly social media has very clearly pressed the importance of good lighting for selfies and home pics, but generally, lighting is one of the key factors in a living space that makes us feel good. Recent studies have shown that well-lit rooms favoring natural light improve human performance and a sense of well-being, and even help promote healthy sleep patterns. This is why when looking for house design plans, you should prioritize those that have an ideology that favors bringing the outside in, making space for nature, and having lots of well-designed windows to bring in natural light. We at Homboo have a few ideas that you can explore here related to this subject.

Even when it comes to artificial light, look for house designs online that are well-lit and don’t have huge gaps in lighting that will look like somber little spots in your home at night. You can even do a deep dive into what color lighting favors each space best. For example, warm light is better for relaxing and socializing, therefore better for bedrooms and living spaces; at the same time, bluer light can make us feel more energetic and alert, so probably better for working spaces.

The third key point is views. We know from when we stay at hotels and special places that we’re always looking for that space “with a view”. We all know hotels charge higher rates for rooms with better views, and so it is equally as important in our everyday lives. So much so that a famous experiment found that hospital patients healed faster in rooms that had views of nature; in this study, natural light correlated to the alleviation of symptoms and pain. That is why a window is a big game changer in a modern house design with a home office design or a kitchen. In fact, some people think that windows can be distractions when in reality, feeling some connection to nature has been shown to improve a person’s focus. This point ties back to lighting, but in the sense of ensuring that whenever you’re placing a window, it’s done strategically so that it adds even more value to the space; we know how disappointing it is to have a wonderful huge window that points to the façade of the building in front, or someone’s laundry room. It should also be added that a home plan benefits the most if designed with an open floor plan design. The reason for this is that open floor plans offer complete integration within the home and into the surroundings.

These three are just a few key points that you can keep in mind when looking for types of floor plans or discussing your priorities with a floor plan designer, as you now know how the design of your dream home can affect you and the people you live with. From the design on, there is an entirely new chapter of possibilities with the decor that can certainly help you plan your space with the best possible outcome, which is another subject we’ll touch on in the future. In the meantime, we recommend reading this article about planning your house for escape and relaxation.