New construction homes (or “new builds”) are getting a bad wrap these days. Particularly from homeowners who crave character and charm.
The gripe? New builds feel impersonal, the spaces feel too big, and sometimes they don’t feel designed for everyday living.
If you’re planning a new build in Atlanta, you don’t have to suffer the fate of living in an impersonal, impractical, or cookie-cutter home. With the right approach, your new home can be just as warm, functional and full of personality as a historic home and designed perfectly for your lifestyle.
Here’s how to make your new construction home in Atlanta feel like home from day one.
Start at the Very Beginning
To borrow from Julie Andrews (a little Sound of Music never hurts): “Start at the very beginning — a very good place to start.”
The most important step in creating a thoughtful new build is involving both an interior designer and an architect right from the start. They will work together to finesse the interior layout of your home to work for your family, unique needs, and lifestyle.
That means:
- Right-sizing spaces like living rooms, kitchens, primary bedrooms, and transitional spaces so they’re inviting and functional (not cavernous)
- Making sure your ceiling heights are reasonable (not too high)
- Including custom spaces that reflect your family’s unique lifestyle (e.g., a golf simulator space with a custom bar, a music room designed for acoustics, or a wellness area with sauna or steam shower)
An interior designer for Atlanta new builds will notice details you might never think of… until you’re already living in the home.
For example, in my own family’s new build, the kids’ Jack-and-Jill bath was originally designed with a dividing wall between the vanity and tub area. That might be great for a family with teenagers, but with a toddler and an infant, I knew we needed open space for movement (so much movement). This same bathroom also lacked a window of any kind. So I flipped the layout so that we could add a window and removed the wall. This created a light-filled, functional bathroom that feels airy and joyful — all thanks to early design intervention.
Select Finishes with Care
Once the bones of your home are established, its character will come to life through finish and fixture selections. This stage can feel overwhelming. There are a myriad selections to be made – cabinetry, tile, flooring, fixtures, millwork, the list goes on. And every choice will impact how your home looks, feels, and functions.
Your interior designer is invaluable here. They will understand your style, your family’s needs and desires for your home and life in it, as well as your investment level. With that in mind, they will curate a cohesive palette of materials and design details that maximize character and charm and create a place that feels like and inspires you.
Make the Most of the Opportunity
Building a new house is an opportunity for you to craft the backdrop of your family’s daily life. You know that I believe our homes should inspire us to live well and support us in doing so. When you partner with the right team – a talented and caring Atlanta interior designer, a thoughtful architect, and a skilled builder — your new build can be beautiful, practical, and bespoke.
If you’re dreaming of a new construction design in Atlanta that feels like home from the very beginning, don’t wait until after the walls are framed to start planning. Involve your design team early and you’ll end up with a house that inspires and functions — a home in which your family will thrive.
