SMART home design...
The term Smart home is used to describe a house or apartment that utilizes technology to enhance and/or simplify everyday living. It can be as simple as a remote light switch or as complex as wiring the entire house for computer networking, cable, multimedia, audio/video, security, remote lights and more.
SMART home design considerations...
You must decide what type of home you wish to build before you can begin laying out SMART features. Home styles today are varied and offer a great many ideas from which to borrow when designing your own.
When you observe a home or structure that appeals to you, decide exactly which features or characteristics you find desirable. Make detailed notes of these features or draw a sketch. Keep your ideas and observations in a file. Implementing these features comes later; eventually you'll decide how best to fit these into your home design plan.
Create A List
Create a list of criteria for your home design, starting with the basics: number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, number of family areas, choices between formal dining rooms or more open, communal eating areas, porch or deck styles, home entrances, garage features, etc.
Local Zoning Laws
Zoning laws can affect everything aspect of your home design and construction. Check first to discover your local zoning laws before you get too far into actual home design.
Design Within Your Budget
It happens more often than most people would think. An ambitious project outgrows the budget, sometimes leaving installations without drapes, blinds, components, and even furniture.
Design to Fit
Your chosen plot of land is unique; each has pluses and minuses. Consider these when creating your home design. If your lot slopes sharply to one side, think about a walkout side basement door instead of a traditional back door. Working with your land can save excavating costs and retain more of your plots natural characteristics and value.
Maximize Your Space
When drawing your floor plan, plan for a logical flow in your home design. You want to simplify life for your family, and maximize your usage of all living areas.
Some things to consider:
a.) Plan for direct access to the kitchen from the garage
b.) Plan for all your plumbing in one general area, reducing pipe distance
c.) Place your heating ventilation and air conditioning system as centrally as possible, allowing for better temperature balance throughout your house
d.) Isolate bedrooms in the rear portions of the home to reduce noise and increase privacy
e.) Place your washer and dryer on the same floor as bedrooms (for two or more story homes)
f.) Ensure doorways, hallways and stairways allow moving furniture into the rooms.
g.) Ensure light switches are located appropriately for traffic flow, and that outlets are conveniently placed throughout.
Plan for Future Expansion
If you cannot build your dream house now, try to plan your home design so that expansion is easily accomplished.
Plan Interior Design
When designing your floor plan, place your furniture in the design to see how everything fits within the allotted space. You can do this using graph paper or home design software. Also, maintain consideration for your lighting, paint, flooring,, and how your design will work for entertaining.
Consider the Sun
The position of the sun can greatly affect your home design, depending upon the direction your home faces. A south facing home will be warmer in the winter and hotter in the summer. Make sure window placements take full advantage of natural light, allowing for higher energy efficiency.