Defining Your Dream Home

A Guide to Style, Size, and Special Features

Designing a custom home is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — but also a once-in-a-lifetime challenge. Most people have never done it before, which means they don’t have a ready-made process for deciding what style, size, and features fit them best. That’s where this guide comes in: to help you clarify your vision and give structure to what can feel overwhelming.

1. Style: How Do You Want It to Feel?

You don’t need to know the jargon of architectural styles. What matters is the feeling you want when you walk through the door. A simple way to think about it:

- Classic or Contemporary? Timeless detailing vs. bold modern lines.
- Formal or Casual? Symmetrical and structured vs. relaxed and organic.
- Blend or Statement? Should the house nestle into its setting or stand apart?

Pro tip: Save a handful of inspiration images — from magazines, Pinterest, or even vacation spots. Then note why you like them. (“I love the warmth of the wood here.” “The glass makes this space feel so open.”) That’s all we need to translate your preferences into architectural direction.

2. Size: How Much is “Just Right”?

Square footage isn’t about bragging rights. It’s about balance. You want a home that fits your lifestyle — spacious enough for the way you live, but not full of empty rooms you never use.

- Rule of Thumb. Two bedrooms often mean 1,200–1,800 sq ft. Add 400–600 sq ft for each additional bedroom.
- Think in Zones. Break the home into living, sleeping, working, storing, and entertaining spaces. How much space does each zone really need?
- Compare to Real Life. Think about the homes you’ve lived in. Which felt too small? Which felt too big? Which were just right?
- Borrow Ideas. Ask friends what size their homes are. Think back to vacation rentals you loved. Those impressions can be more helpful than numbers.

Getting clear on size also helps determine the overall shape of your future home — which directly affects how it sits on your property, how long it takes to design and plan, and ultimately how much it costs to build.

3. Special Features: What Makes it Yours?

Special features aren’t luxuries — they’re the details that make your home reflect you.

- Lifestyle Enhancers: Mudrooms, home gyms, oversized garages, or office space.
- Connection to Place: Windows framing mountain views, radiant floors for cold mornings, outdoor living areas.
- Personal Touches: A reading nook, a wine cellar, or a hidden loft for grandkids.

Start by listing your “must-haves” and your “wish-list.” This gives clarity without pressure to decide everything now.

4. Priorities: Tradeoffs You’ll Face

Every custom home involves choices. Reflecting early on what matters most will save stress later.

- Would you prioritize space over high-end finishes?
- Is a faster build more important than having every single feature?
- Would you invest more in views and outdoor living, or in interior detailing?

There’s no right answer — just the one that fits your life best.

5. Future & Lifestyle Fit

Homes aren’t just for today. Ask yourself:

- Will this be your full-time residence, a second home, or a rental?
- Do you want flexibility for aging-in-place?
- Should it accommodate growing family needs or multi-generational gatherings?

Thinking ahead ensures your home will serve you for years to come.

6. Your Land Matters Too

Style, size, and features can’t be separated from the site. Sunlight, views, slope, and neighbors all play a role in what’s possible. Even a dream floorplan changes when it meets real land.

(Check out our Land Guide to learn more!)

7. The First Step Toward Your Home

Clarifying these reflections is the best first step toward a home that truly fits your life. By naming the style you lean toward, the size that feels right, the features that matter most, and the priorities you value, you’re creating a roadmap.

And here’s the most important part: it’s not meant to be perfect. Defining your dream home is a process that unfolds with the help of a skilled team of designers, engineers, and a builder who shares the experience with you. Designers and engineers can capture your ideas on paper, but your builder is the one who knows how long it will take, how much it will cost, and how the pieces come together on your land.

The next stage of the custom home process takes your raw dreams and shapes them into design options that help you see how all your ideas can work together in spaces that feel unmistakably yours. After a few thoughtful iterations, with your builder at your side, you’ll be able to align design choices with your budget and timeline. The right process ensures you never feel stressed, unsupported, or vague about what comes next — just steadily moving from dreaming to living your dream life.