K.I.S.S. stands for,” Keep It Simple Stupid.” Some of the most successful people I’ve ever met throughout my entire life have kept everything as simple as possible. If you don’t know how to design a home, learn, it’s that simple.

If you want to build an architectural wonder, something that everyone on the planet is going to be envious of, there’s a good chance this isn’t going to fall into the keep it simple stupid category. A simple floor plan along with a simple building exterior, can create a pleasant looking house for anyone to live in.

Large windows create problems for heating and air-conditioning. Complicated exterior and roof designs create water leak problems. Tricky floor plans create problems for builders and contractors. Complicated and intricate home designs usually create problems, because we’re getting out of that keeping everything simple mentality.

I love to look at nice homes that are created from simple designs. You can add some stuff here and there, but don’t get away from the simplicity of home building. The best advice I can give anyone who is planning on building a home for themselves and has never built one before is to keep everything as simple as possible. Stray from this way of thinking and you could find yourself dealing with some difficult problems.

Stylish Designs

One might think that modern kitchens consist of streamed lines and a sleek look but with the change of style any new design is considered a modern one. Many different designs are present in homes today. The traditional design is a very classic one and often includes many elegant features such as fine woods and exceptional hardware. Found in a number of the log homes are stylish lodge type kitchens where the major part of the design focuses on nature. These are often floored in stone and wood covers the walls. More common place would be the existence of the modernized country kitchen. These usually have painted cabinets, a southern or farm theme, and trims of molding. Wire inserts instead of glass are sometimes used to add the feel of being in the country. All things homemade or handcrafted can usually be found decorating a country style of kitchen. Another fast advancing design would be that of the contemporary kitchen where everything is vastly uncluttered and consists of lines that are usually straight and on some occasions curved in the taste of the homeowner. Most of the cabinets in these are tastefully very plain but with a feel of cleanliness. Geometric shapes are always at play in these types of modern kitchens.

One’s Own Taste

When deciding upon the type of kitchen a home will have, the homeowner should keep in mind their own likes and dislikes. Each individual has their own taste for style and design however the design and theme of the overall home needs to play a huge role in the design of the kitchen as one would not normally place a contemporary kitchen in a log cabin but rather a country kitchen. Some styles and designs are much more costly as each may even require a different style of appliances. Which ever style one decides to create, it’s completion does not have to be immediate. Many collect items for their modern kitchens over time and enjoy the decoration process in itself.

Very often, we get carried away with all the fancy and useful appliances that we will use, forgetting that in order to use most of them, we will need to place dishes next to them at various heights. The lack of proper space for dishes can lead to disorganized activity which is the last thing we want in a kitchen. The right amount of clear counter space for dishes that can be set down next to appliances and cabinets is therefore the most important rule to follow.

The Triangle Rule comes next and this refers to the the work area related to the three core kitchen activity points-the cooking range or cooktop, the sink and the refrigerator. The distance from each point to the others should be between four and twelve feet with the total distance from the range to the sink to the refrigerator and back being not being less than twelve feet or more than twenty seven feet. This ensures that the cook takes the minimum number of steps required between the three corners of the triangle for cooking and cleaning which in turn ensures an efficient kitchen layout.

An easily ignored detail is the counter corners and edges which should always be rounded and not sharp. This minimizes the potential for painful jabs and pokes in a high traffic area where one may be carrying a pot full of scalding sauce!

Storage areas like shelves and lazy susans should be easily accessible near related appliances and work areas and lighting should be good over the sink, stove and other work areas.

Since the kitchen is a multi-activity area, one will often find oneself doing more than one thing at any given time. This is why it is extremely helpful to have appliance controls that are big, easy to reach, easy to handle and easy to read. Ideally, they will be easy to operate by touch alone, without having to be seen or read.

Finally, the kitchen workspace will involve a variety of small electrical appliances from toasters to grinders to mixers and therefore, we should make sure we have a few carefully placed electrical switches and outlets. Typically, these will be close to the work surfaces, either just above the counter on the walls or just below in front where they are easily accessible.

Which room does everyone seem to gather in and have the best conversation? When you have guests over, where do you end up migrating too? The kitchen is the center of your home. It only makes sense for you to design it to be your perfect room.

Upgrading your kitchen also affects the resale value of your home. You can be assured that you are going to recoup at least the cost of the upgrade. Keep this in mind as you are selecting new countertops and cabinets.

So now that you have decided to upgrade your kitchen you have to decide what you will replace as well as if there is a particular color scheme you would like to achieve. By selecting certain colors you are going to possibly limit the choices you have in appliances. So make sure that the color of your cabinets and countertop are going to match those stainless steel appliances you adore.

You must also decide if you are going to upgrade your flooring when you remodel your kitchen. If you have old vinyl floors then it is time for those relics to go. There are so many options available in flooring it would take ten articles to cover them all. Do your research and select the option that is going to match your cabinets, appliances, and countertop the best.

No matter what you decide on, silicone gadgets are the new must have. Learn how silicone oven mitts and a brand new silicone bakeware set can make your kitchen more modern and safer.

Here are some tips that can be useful to build your own home:

1. Building your own home is a time consuming task. You must be prepared to spend a lot of your time working on this project. To start off with, it is important to get into the right frame of mind. This can save you from the headaches. Take time in planning to build your own home.

2. When building your own home, keep the price in mind. In the process of building your own home, you might encounter unexpected expenses. If you plan ahead and stay within your budget, this makes it easier to extend your finances if needed. This is a common problem that people, who decide to build their own home, face.

3. One of the important reasons you want to build your own home is that you can get get whatever you want. By building your own home, you are sure to get every feature and amenity that you envision in your home.

4. While there may be contractors that would tell you that they cannot accommodate your needs, surely there would be another who can. There are numerous contractors available to best meet your needs; all you have to do is look hard enough.

If you are planning to build your own home, you would need a considerable amount of money. Funding can be either from personal savings/funds or conventional loans/mortgages or both. You will find that there are instances or emergencies where money is immediately needed. If you have savings, then things will be much easier. The amount of money you need depends on the size and style of your home and size of building lot/land that you want to purchase.

If cash is not readily available, there are avenues in which you can obtain a loan. If you own a home that has a fair bit of equity, it may be used as a collateral. You may contact your bank to get an appraisal and see how much Line of Credit you can qualify for. Other options are builder’s Loans, Personal Loans, and other Line of Credit options.

The location where you choose to build your home will largely determine the design of your house. If you have purchased a lot/land within the city, it is likely that the neighborhood will be pre-planned. The land developer will let you know what type of construction is allowed. If the land you bought is an in-town lot, you may need a local surveyor to assess your lot. This information is needed in producing a house design and also for completing permit forms.

Building your own home is never an easy task. But with good planning, strategic financing, and the right people to work with, getting your dream home is very attainable.

A modest house can seem to have doubled in size when the backyard, side alleys and gardens are divided into usable areas with specific purposes. If you’re buying a new house that is in the process of being built or planning your own build, now is the time to consider your priorities for your outdoor space.

Side alleys make good storage areas for garage and gardening equipment, as long as there is a clear access route to the back garden. Front gardens, well maintained, make a huge difference to the look and feel of your home. You may need parking space but consider adding a tree or flower bed to soften the hard areas and add interest and colour.

If one of you works from home then having a separate office in the garden has been proven as the most productive way to work. There are no domestic distractions and with a walk through side access from the main road, professional meetings can happen without trailing visitors through the home.

Social butterflies who love to entertain will love the extra space of a hard landscaped patio or deck area outside. It needs to be large enough to take a table and chairs. Lighting allows further use of the garden for socialising. However, if your plot is right next to the neighbours you may decide to confine your entertainment to indoors. The options here are still varied – a large comfortable dining kitchen, a separate dining room or conservatory or finally, a garden studio. The dining room shouldn’t be too far removed from the kitchen.

Planning your orientation must account for existing access and roads but also consider direction. South facing windows will provide a lot of heat and can produce a mini greenhouse effect on cloudless days. A south facing garden is ideal but is enhanced by careful planning of tree positions for summer shade.

If your home is custom built, expanding the plans to include the outdoor rooms shouldn’t be a problem. Even if your home isn’t being custom built, borrowing for a garden room is more cost effective if it’s done at the same time as the home mortgage.

After you’ve decided on your back garden priorities sketch out where you would locate major features such as a play area for children, relaxation area for you and entertaining area. Establish a budget for each feature and for the garden as a whole. Remember you don’t have to complete the whole garden at once but it is more cost effective to install a garden building at the same time as the house construction.

Jewel attained an honours degree in 2003. She is passionate about environmental issues and the benefits of home-working, including the health and environmental advantages of flexible working practices – among others. She currently works from home as a company Director and tends to her growing family.