How to design your own home

Developing your home design

The design process is a consuming task. The nine steps below will teach you the basics of the process that is followed by design professionals in the building industry. Follow this process and you will have a better chance of designing a home that functions well and works aesthetically.

Tools you will need

1. Sketch paper: you can purchase purpose made sketch paper from an art supply shop, but grease proof baking paper works just as well and can be purchased from your local supermarket for around $1.50 a roll.
2. A3 Drafting board: these boards are portable and come with a ruler that attaches horizontally to the board. It can be purchased from an art or drafting supply shop for about $90.00.
3. Adjustable set square: this item is an adjustable clear plastic triangle that is essential in producing straight, angled, and vertical lines. This can also be purchased at an art supply outlet or drafting supply shop.
4. Pencil: you can purchase a specialised drafting pencil (clutch pencil) but a standard lead (graphite) pencil will do fine. If you do purchase a clutch pencil buy one with a very thin lead otherwise you will then need to buy a clutch pencil sharpener which is different from a regular pencil sharpener.
5. Eraser: white Stanley erasers are the easiest to use and you can purchase these from the supermarket.
6. Ruler: you can use a regular rule for drafting in 1:100 scale but if you want to draw the building at a smaller or larger scale you will need a scale rule from a drafting shop. These typically cost $10.00.

Nine basic steps (of home design)

Step 1. The client brief

Step 2. The performance specification

Step 3. Schedule of areas

Step 4. Table of areas

Step 5. Bubble diagram

Step 6. Site data

Step 7. Site analysis

Step 8. Design diagram

Step 9. Sketch design

The nine home design steps shown above summarise the design process that is taught to architecture students. If it seems a little "full-on" don't be discouraged, it just takes practice. At the very least we hope we have provided you with enough knowledge of the home design process that your enhanced ability to communicate with a professional building designer or architect will speed up the entire process of constructing your new home.

Additional Reading

Before you proceed with trying to design your own home you may find it beneficial to read the following related articles: