6 Ways to Prepare for Your Design Appointment

Designing a new home is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. What a privilege to choose the features and details that will make your home the most special and comfortable place in the world! The design center appointment is one of the most eagerly-anticipated steps in the home building process. 

But we know that because there are so many fantastic options, the design process can be overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be. 

As with any large goal, the way to accomplish a perfectly-finished home is through planning and preparation. Below we’ve outlined six steps that you can take before ever setting foot in the design appointment. These home design tips will help make sure your building process stays on schedule, on budget, and stress-free.

1) Start a Lookbook

Think of this task as the most fun homework assignment you’ve ever gotten. A lookbook is a collection of photos that you put together to draw inspiration from. Browse sites like Pinterest, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Country Living, Better Homes and Gardens, or any publication that catches your eye. Create a folder of photos on your desktop or print them out to start visualizing exactly what you want.

2) Write Out Your Must-Haves

When it comes to your dream home, you most likely have a few “must-haves” that are non-negotiable. From kitchen cabinets and countertops to finishes and floors, make sure to keep a list of the things you’re absolutely set on. This will save you time while allowing you to really focus on the design elements that you’re not sure of yet.

3) Stick To Your Timeline

The building process is an incredible combination of different processes happening all at once. When it comes to your design appointment, one of the ways you can help yourself (and your team) is to stick to schedule. That means prioritizing your design center appointment over other, less time-sensitive commitments, and making your decisions on time. This will allow the rest of the process to happen on schedule and according to expectations.

4) Know Your Budget

If you go into your design appointment with a clear idea of what you’re hoping to spend (and how flexible you can be), you will make the best use of your time and feel confident with all of your choices. Your design coordinator will take you through all the options that fit within your budget, so you can rest assured that you’re not missing anything.

5) Get a Head Start

The early bird catches the worm! Before your design appointment, spend time driving through the builder’s communities or visit model homes to get a feel of exterior colors. You can even browse through the website photo galleries to help get a better sense of selections you might see. This will help you get acclimated to all of your options and visualize the choices that you’re still deciding on. Pro tip: tour a model home again to feel inspired all over again!

6) Have Fun!

Go into your design appointment with one word in mind — fun. This part of the process is all about creating the heart and soul of your home, and it should be enjoyable from beginning to end. Dress comfortably, feel confident in your choices, take it one step at a time, and remember – your design consultants are there to help bring your new home to life. 

The new home design center is a valuable resource for information about design trends, materials, products, prices for your personal needs, and budget. With a bit of preparation, you can make sure that this experience is a positive one you’ll remember each time you set foot in your gorgeous new home.