A guide to customising your off-plan property

One of the biggest advantages of buying an off-plan property in a new development is that you can fully customise your finishes according to your own taste. This is a dream come true for most buyers who are eager to put a personal stamp on their homes. Plus, it may be less costly to move to a new development than to improve an existing home. 

"Choosing the finishes for a property is often the most anticipated part of the buying journey. But while it is very exciting, it can also be overwhelming and daunting for homeowners who are confronted with a great number of decisions to be made," says Chas Everitt development property specialist, Andre van der Merwe. 

To guide homeowners through this decision-making process, we're sharing some advice on customising an off-plan home. 

Features that can be customised include: 

• Fixtures

These are elements such as lighting, appliances, sinks, baths, tapware, and toilets.

• Finishes

Finishes are the final part of the construction process and often refer to the surface of an element. Think kitchen cabinets and countertops, floor coverings, bathroom tiles, and paint and trim colours. 

Plan your vision
Pinning down the type of style you prefer is the first step to take when customising your off-plan property. To do this you can go online or consult interior design magazines and compile a mood board of your favourite images and design styles. Once you have a solid idea of what you want your home to look and feel like, you can make design decisions that align with your vision. 

Prioritise

With so many decisions involved in customising your off-plan home, it's important to give some thought to which features matter most to you. Consider where you're likely to spend the most time and give these rooms the most attention. For example, if you're an avid cook you should focus on making your kitchen as stylish and functional as possible. Your top priorities will also inform your budget since you may then want to spend more on your dream kitchen and save when it comes to finishes elsewhere. 

Take it step-by-step
Decide on your finishes in a sensible way by starting with bigger features and choosing smaller ones to complement them. Design experts recommend choosing your flooring first as this will impact the atmosphere of the entire room. After you've made this decision, you can move on to choosing countertops and work surfaces and subsequently paint colours. 

Aim for longevity

While you might be tempted to opt for navy blue kitchen cabinets because they're on trend, remember there's a good chance that in a couple of years they will make your home look dated. Instead, select stylish but neutral finishes that will look great in years to come, giving your home a sense of timeless elegance. 

That said, it's important that your personality is reflected in some way. Cupboard door pulls and other small details can easily be replaced so provide an excellent way to let your character shine. 

Keep it practical

Striking the perfect balance between form and function is regarded as one of the most important aspects of design. You want your home to look beautiful, but still be practical. Always keep this in mind when selecting finishings and fixtures. In high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathroom, you will want to go for easy-to-clean materials, while bedrooms can benefit from the warmth added by carpets, for example. 

Although there are no hard and fast rules for design, these tips will give you the guidance needed when taking on the process of customising your off-plan property. If you are interested in buying in a new development reach out to Andre van der Merwe or your nearest Chas Everitt property consultant today for expert advice and assistance.