How to Design Your Own Floor Plan

Maybe you’re like us and didn’t really know where to start. First off—welcome! I’m glad you found your way here, and thank you for being here. : )

I try really hard not to gatekeep this process and to share everything we wish we would’ve known from the start. Think of this as the blueprint we wish someone had handed us. If you need a step-by-step walkthrough of the entire custom build process, I created a free guide you can find here: Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Custom Home.

But if you’re wondering how we actually designed our own home from the ground up—this post is for you.

Dream It, Visualize It, Believe It

Much like I share in the Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Custom Home, the first step is dreaming it up and visualizing the life you want to live. For me, this house has been in my heart since I was a teenager. I always imagined land, kids running around, and a slower pace of life. (Don’t worry—we still have Starlink out here in the middle of nowhere.)

Your vision doesn’t have to be perfectly detailed yet, but you do need to be able to translate your ideas to an architect. Luckily, that’s second nature in my day job—but if it’s not for you, don’t stress. That’s why I’m here!

Start with a Vision Board

Before you ever meet with an architect, start curating your dream. Pinterest will be your best friend. Create one master board and keep everything in one spot. Canva is also amazing for organizing room-by-room ideas. Bonus tip: print it out or share a file with your architect so they can clearly see your priorities.

Walk Through Real Homes

One of the best things we did was tour a ton of new builds in the style we loved. Take notes, snap photos, and grab floor plans if they’re available. This isn’t just about how the home looks—it’s about how it functions. Do you like how the kitchen flows into the living room? Do the windows let in enough natural light? How does the exterior feel? Notice details like soffits, gutters, and window placement. Those things matter later!

Choose Your Architect Wisely

Your architect is the bridge between your dream and reality. Make sure they understand your city’s codes (or rural regulations if you’re outside city limits). Bring them your vision board, must-have list, and any layouts you’ve collected. The clearer you are, the smoother this step goes and your overall build.

Our Non-Negotiables

Here are some of the big items we brought to our architect:

1. Open floor plan from kitchen → living room → dining room.

2. 3 beds, 3.5 baths to start (which turned into 4 during the process—life happens!).

3. Recessed ceiling in the master bedroom.

4. Huge windows to soak in the views.

5. Dual-head, walk-in tile shower.

6. A master suite “circle” layout we loved (see it on my IG here).

7. 3-car garage.

8. Double front doors (because who doesn’t love that wow factor?).

The Takeaway

Designing your own floor plan isn’t about being an expert architect—it’s about knowing your vision, gathering inspiration, and finding the right professional to bring it all together. Start with your dream, refine it with real-world examples, and communicate it clearly.

Your home should tell your story. Don’t be afraid to dream big, get specific, and make it yours—down to the double doors and walk-in shower. If you take anything away from this, let it be this: you don’t just build a house, you design the life that happens inside of it!