How to Create Your Dream House

Create the home of your dreams.

Create your dream house in the perfect location with all of the amenities that you desire. Make a dream home binder or visualization board with pictures of everything that you want to have in your home. Dream big and make a comprehensive wish list. This is the starting point for planning your home. After determining your budget, your wish list will need to be prioritized. For example, if you love to cook, design the kitchen to be the best that you can afford. Whether you are building a new home or transforming an existing home, you will need to develop a plan to create your dream home.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Binder
• Plastic sleeves
• Tabs

Instructions

1. Create a dream home binder to use as a reference for designing your home. Browse home magazines with an eye for things that attract your attention. Cut out pictures of homes, furniture, fabrics and colors that you love. Search the Internet for lighting, plumbing fixtures, carpeting and furniture. Print out pictures and information for these products. Place the pictures in plastic sleeves and insert in a binder. Use tabs to organize the pictures by rooms.

2. Visit local model homes to get a feel for the type of home you want. Tour a variety of homes: ranches, condos and mega mansions. Analyze the parts that you like and the feel of each home. Take notes on what you want to include in your dream home.

3. Set a budget for your dream home. Obtain financing information from a bank or savings and loan. Develop a plan that will allow you to create a dream home within your budget. Take the pictures from your binders and calculate the approximate price of the items that you want to have in your home. Mark the selections by priority. Make notations of items that can be purchased at a discount. Remove items that you can do without or purchase at a later date.

4. Hire an interior designer and an architect to assist you with designing your home. Take your plans and ideas to a local design studio. Meet with an interior designer to discuss your options. Discuss your budget and ask the designer to help you organize your plan. Create a time line and plan for decorating, building or remodeling your dream home.

5. Select a location for your home. Consider the driving distance to work, shopping and school. Check the crime rate and the overall safety of the community. Hire a builder or remodeling firm to do the construction on your home. Get references from the builder before signing any contracts, and read the contract thoroughly before signing. Have your interior designer and architect to work with the builder or remodeling firm to ensure your dream home is everything that you want it to be.

Tips & Warnings

• Save money by doing parts of the project yourself.

References

• Bank Rate: Make Your Small House a Dream House
• CNET News: Your Dream Home Delivered to Your Doorstep
• CNN Money: Build Your Dream House Now

Resources

• Apartment Therapy: What's Your Dream Home?