Designing a custom home is an exciting and deeply personal process—but it’s also one that comes with countless decisions and opportunities for missteps. From layout choices to long-term functionality, even small oversights can lead to costly changes or daily frustrations down the line.
If you’re planning your home design in Brevard, Fla, knowing what to avoid can be just as important as knowing what to include. At Armistead Design, we’ve seen firsthand how smart planning prevents regret and ensures the final home is both beautiful and livable. Here are the most common home design mistakes—and how to avoid them.
1. Designing for Today Instead of Tomorrow
One of the most frequent mistakes homeowners make is designing a home based solely on their current lifestyle. Maybe you don’t have kids yet, don’t work from home today, or don’t need accessibility features—but what about five or ten years from now?
The fix:
Plan for flexibility. We often recommend multi-use spaces, ground-floor bedrooms, and wide hallways that can accommodate future needs like aging in place, remote work, or growing families.
2. Poor Site Orientation
In Florida, how your home sits on your lot affects everything—from natural light and energy efficiency to views and comfort.
The fix:
When approaching home design in Brevard, Fla, always take the sun, breeze, and surrounding landscape into account. Orient main living areas to benefit from morning light and minimize afternoon heat. Place outdoor spaces to catch ocean breezes when possible.
3. Not Thinking Through Storage Needs
You’d be surprised how often storage is overlooked until it’s too late. Lack of storage can lead to cluttered spaces and ongoing frustration.
The fix:
Custom home design should include a clear storage strategy from day one. Think beyond closets—walk-in pantries, garage built-ins, linen closets, and mudrooms all play a part in keeping your home functional and organized.
4. Overloading on Trends
While it’s tempting to pack your home with every stylish detail from Pinterest, chasing trends can date your home quickly—and some flashy choices don’t hold up in everyday use.
The fix:
At Armistead Design, we guide clients toward timeless materials and layouts that reflect personal taste, not just trends. We can incorporate modern touches in ways that allow your home to age gracefully.
5. Ignoring Florida-Specific Considerations
Designing a home in Florida comes with unique climate and weather challenges. If your design doesn’t take this into account, it could affect comfort, safety, and long-term durability.
The fix:
In coastal areas like Brevard County, we always design with hurricane resistance, humidity control, and UV exposure in mind. Impact-rated windows, durable exterior materials, and shaded outdoor areas aren’t optional—they’re essential.
6. Failing to Maximize Outdoor Living
In a place like Brevard, Fla, your outdoor space is a year-round extension of your home. Underused patios or balconies can feel like a missed opportunity.
The fix:
We design outdoor areas that are both functional and inviting, from covered lanais with ceiling fans to integrated outdoor kitchens and poolside pavilions.
7. Overcomplicating the Floor Plan
Sometimes homeowners try to include every idea into one floor plan, resulting in awkward layouts or spaces that don’t get used.
The fix:
A well-designed floor plan strikes a balance between flow, function, and simplicity. Prioritize how you live day-to-day. We often recommend open-concept areas that still allow for defined zones, rather than rooms for every activity that may only be used once a year.
Conclusion: Smart Design Starts with Smart Planning
If you’re starting your home design in Brevard, Fla, knowing what not to do is one of the best ways to protect your investment and enjoy a smoother design-build experience. At Armistead Design, we help you avoid the common pitfalls while building a home that’s personalized, purposeful, and ready for the future.
Ready to get it right from the start? Let’s design something exceptional—without the missteps.