Top 5 Design Mistakes to Avoid When Building or Renovating

#1 Ignoring Flow

When designing a new home, one of the most important factors to consider is how you and your family will move through the space, otherwise known as the "flow". A new home is a blank slate, which means you don’t have to settle for a layout just because it looks good on paper. It needs to function for your lifestyle. Think about which rooms should be connected and how it feels to move from one area to the next.

Do you love entertaining and want guests to easily transition from the entry to an open-concept great room? Is your main-floor bathroom tucked in the same hallway as your bedrooms, leaving guests to open multiple doors to find it? A better flow might mean adding a dedicated powder room and separating public and private spaces with a pocket door.

If you usually enter through the garage with groceries in hand, it makes sense to have a clear path to the kitchen, not a layout that requires walking through the entire house to reach a countertop. Or maybe you have a backyard pool, but the only bathroom is near the front entrance, leading to wet foot prints in your living room.

Whether you're building new or renovating, take time to think about the way your home should function day-to-day. How do you want to move through it? Which spaces should be side-by-side? Good flow isn’t just about convenience, it shapes how comfortable and enjoyable your home will feel.

Flow between public spaces

#2 Not thinking about the future

Building a new home is a major investment, so it’s important to design with the future in mind. You don’t want to be renovating again in just a few years because something was overlooked. Future-proofing your home means planning for flexibility and long-term comfort. That might include barrier-free features like wider doorways, waist-height light switches, and reinforced walls in the bathroom for future grab bars.

Think about how your needs may change: Could a shared bathroom work better for your soon to be teenagers if the vanity is separated from the shower with a pocket door? Would it be helpful if your home office could double as a guest room by including space for a pull-out couch?

If you're planning a pool and deck later on, we can design the layout now so those outdoor spaces will flow naturally from your main living areas. And if finishing the basement is in your future, it's smart to rough in plumbing for a 3-piece bathroom or a bar while it's still easy to do.

The key is to build in flexibility so your home can adapt as your lifestyle evolves. Planning ahead now can save you time, money, and stress later.

Planning for a future covered deck

#3 Ignoring the site and orientation

Every great home design starts with the site plan. Before diving into the floor plan, we need to understand the land. Its size, shape, zoning rules, setbacks, and sun exposure. These factors define what’s possible, but they also offer opportunities to make the most of your property.

Think about how you’ll use the outdoor space. Are you planning a future patio, garden, or shed? Do you have a beautiful view in one direction and a neighbor’s window in the other? Where do you want your bedroom to face, toward the quiet backyard or the front of the house with the beautiful oak tree?

Sunlight is also a major factor. Orientation affects how your home feels throughout the day and the changing seasons. Do you want to wake up with natural light in the kitchen and bedroom? Do you want the evening sun on your back deck and great room?

Considering your site from the start helps create a home that feels natural, functional, and connected to its surroundings.

South/West windows for evening sun

#4 Not providing enough storage

One of the most overlooked elements in new home design is storage. If you're dreaming of open shelves styled with curated pieces and a minimal, clutter-free living room, it's essential to plan ahead for the not-so-pretty necessities like the gaming console, router, or cable box. These things need a home, too.

Think about where guests will hang their coats so they don’t end up tossed on the guest bed, or where you’ll store your extra winter gear, perhaps an additional closet in the basement. What about space for luggage, holiday decorations, camping supplies, or seasonal items you only need once in a while?

In the kitchen, storage becomes even more critical. Do you have enough pantry space? A built-in dog station or a spot to tuck away your nicer dinnerware, so your open shelving can stay clean and beautiful? Every room benefits from thoughtful storage and when it’s planned intentionally, your home not only looks better, but it functions better, too.

Storage shouldn't be an afterthought. With the right planning, it supports a more organized, relaxed, and livable home.

Kitchen Storage

#5 Opting for no interior design or 3D renderings

The interior of your home is just as important as the exterior and both should be designed with the same level of care and attention. When choosing a home designer, make sure you not only love their exterior style but also how their interiors look and function. A designer with an eye for interiors will notice the impactful details: where to place a shower niche, how to fit a dresser or built-in under a window, or how to extend a wall to make your living room cabinetry feel seamless and intentional.

That’s why I always recommend including both interior and exterior 3D renderings in your project. These visualizations allow you to virtually walk through the home before it’s built, helping you see how rooms flow together, how sightlines work, and how features like a vaulted ceiling in the living room transition into a flat kitchen ceiling.

When it comes to the exterior, a 2D elevation drawing can’t fully capture the depth, proportions, or how your materials and textures interact. Something always gets lost in translation. 3D renderings bring the design to life and give you the chance to catch any design issues early, before they become costly changes during construction.

Dining room with bar built-ins

Designing a home, whether it’s a brand new build or a major renovation, is a big investment, and avoiding common design mistakes can make all the difference in how your space looks, feels, and functions. From considering the flow and future-proofing your layout to making the most of your site and planning for storage, thoughtful decisions early on lead to a home that truly supports your lifestyle. Take the time to think beyond aesthetics and focus on how your home will work for you now and for years to come.

If you’re ready to design your dream home with these essential tips in mind, send us an email to get started!