Designing and building a custom home is a major process. There are going to be ups and downs, trials and joys. If everything goes at least somewhat according to plan, in the end, you will have a house that feels like a home. It will reflect your personality, lifestyle, and dreams. Here are seven tips that just might help you get there without losing your mind. 

1. Design For the Future

No matter what life stage you are in, it's going to change. That is inevitable. Don't make the mistake of designing a home that is perfect for a young couple yet might present challenges for a growing family. Or, if you have a houseful of children now, think of the time when they will head out on their own and your nest will have that many fewer feathers floating around. 

When you talk to architects and builders, be sure to look at least five to ten years down the road for design inspiration. While you may not have a crystal ball hidden away, you can make some general guesses about where you envision yourself at that point and plan accordingly. 

2. Add Extra Outlets

If you have ever lived in an older home, you probably have spent countless hours searching for an available outlet. You may have resorted to running extension cords and surge protectors at every single one. Luckily, modern building codes require a minimum number of outlets per room and wall space. Go beyond those numbers, and include outlets for everything you plug in. That means computers, televisions, streaming devices, chargers for tech devices like phones, tablets, and smart accessories. Add electrical connections and lighting with motion sensors to closets and pantry spaces too. 

3. Leave Room for Storage

Speaking of closets, you absolutely must understand the importance of storage space in a home. Closets are prime real estate in a home, and they should be treated as such during the design process. Whether you are looking at 500 or 5,000 square feet of living space, storage is what is going to keep it all looking clean, fresh, and organized. And a clutter-free space can actually help you stay more focused and feel upbeat throughout the day. 

4. Consider Efficiency

Look beyond appearance when you pick products such as siding, insulation, windows, and doors that will shield your home from the elements. Ask about R-values and other measurements of efficiency, which can help you decide if one product might help your family feel more comfortable while saving you on heating and cooling costs over time. Little things that might not seem important, like double glazing on windows, can have a big impact on a product's efficiency and usefulness. 

5. Know That Timelines Are Flexible

Yes, the contractor promised you that the house would be done in eight months. But, that was more than ten months ago, and your house still isn't fully complete. Things like weather, scheduling conflicts between contractors, and inspections can cause delays along the way. Each one snowballs into the next, leading to what may seem like a neverending pushback on the completion date. No matter how tempting it may be, don't rush the building process. You'll be in your dream home soon enough, another month or so won't be the end of the world.

6. Upgrade Fixtures

If you are wondering where to spend your upgrade dollars, turn to the permanent fixtures within the design. That means things like flooring, cabinetry and built-ins, and stone fireplace finishes. Because these are major aspects of your house, and you want them to be functional and attractive for a long time, investing in higher quality and more durable items can be a good choice. The decorative items can wait for another time. 

7. Be Prepared for Mistakes

It doesn't matter how well you plan, or how carefully you interview contractors and builders, there will always be a mistake or two that happens along the way. You may even make some of them yourself. Be prepared to face them, and accept them as part of the building process and life in general. Even if a mistake seems like it will ruin the whole project, it can probably be fixed. 

Keeping these tips in mind can help you avoid some of the bigger mistakes that people make when designing and building their dream home. Keep an eye to the future, plan carefully, and be sure to keep open lines of communication with all contractors and workers for a house that truly feels like home.