A survey commissioned by IPX1031 (a subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial) found that 9 in 10 Americans say owning a home is part of the American dream, but almost 50% of millennials and Gen Xers believe they’ll never own their “dream home”.
For many, finding the perfect home can feel almost impossible.
However, an option that some are lucky enough to explore is building a home for themselves.
Designing and building a home is no small task, but with the help of a reliable Scottsdale custom home builder, this dream can become a reality.
If you’re thinking about designing your home in Scottsdale, you want to make sure you go about things in the right way.
In this guide, we’ll go over what you need to know about how to design a home and get it built. Keep reading for more.
Establish Your Requirements
Before any design work begins, it’s essential to gain clarity on what you truly want from your future home.
A thoughtfully designed residence begins with understanding not only how you live today—but how you aspire to live in the years ahead.
This early phase is about defining both your non-negotiables and your wish list—the spaces, features, and functions that will support your lifestyle and elevate your everyday experience.
Start With the Essentials
Begin by identifying the foundational elements of your home. Consider the number of bedrooms and bathrooms needed not just for your current household, but also for your future plans.
Will you need a guest suite for aging parents? Space for a growing family? These considerations inform the framework of a home that adapts gracefully over time.
From there, define what rooms are essential to your routine. Perhaps it’s a dedicated laundry room with ample counter space, or a mudroom that keeps everyday clutter beautifully concealed.
Curate Your Must-Have Features
Once the layout is outlined, it’s time to dream a little—adding the personal touches that bring meaning and luxury to your space.
For some, that may include:
• A his-and-hers walk-in closet designed as a private boutique
• An indoor-outdoor living space that blurs the line between architecture and nature
• A chef’s kitchen with professional-grade appliances and a generous island for gathering
These are not just features—they are moments of daily luxury, crafted to enhance how you feel in your home.
Establishing your requirements with care ensures your home will be more than just beautiful—it will be deeply personal, enduringly functional, and a true reflection of how you want to live.
Nice-to-have
Once your essential needs have been thoughtfully outlined, the next step is to explore the possibilities—those nice-to-have features and spaces that, while not essential, would beautifully enhance your lifestyle.
These additions often reflect your personal interests, hobbies, and the way you envision living fully in your home. Think of this as the layer where luxury and personality begin to shine.
You might consider:
• A media lounge designed for immersive movie nights
• A home gym tailored to your wellness routine
• A game room or entertainment space for hosting friends and family
• A wine cellar, a craft studio, or even a cozy reading nook tucked away with intention
While these features are not necessities, they hold space for joy, creativity, and connection—and they can transform your home into a sanctuary that reflects how you want to feel in it.
Of course, every design decision must remain grounded in reality. Your design team will help you evaluate how these enhancements align with your overall budget and goals—ensuring thoughtful balance between desire and investment.
With both your must-haves and nice-to-haves defined, you’re now ready to begin shaping a floor plan that is both functional and expressive—a true reflection of your lifestyle, priorities, and personal style.
Think About the Location
While much of the excitement in designing a custom home centers on layout, finishes, and interior style, one of the most impactful design decisions happens long before the first material is selected: the placement of your home on its lot.
The site you choose—and how your home responds to it—will shape everything from how you experience natural light to how your daily routines feel within the space.
When exploring potential lots, consider key environmental and spatial factors:
• Orientation: How will the home receive light throughout the day?
• Views: Are there natural elements or surrounding features you’d like to frame or showcase?
• Privacy: How will your home relate to neighboring properties or the street?
• Topography: Does the grade or elevation suggest a specific layout or opportunity for outdoor living?
These factors can influence where you place rooms such as the kitchen, great room, or primary suite.
For example, a kitchen flooded with morning light or a living room positioned to capture sunset views can elevate your daily rituals with simple, natural beauty.
In addition, this stage is an ideal time to review any community guidelines, zoning restrictions, or architectural controls that may shape your design options.
These requirements are not limitations—they’re parameters we thoughtfully work within to craft a home that feels both grounded and exceptional.
Gather Inspiration
As you begin to shape your vision, immerse yourself in design inspiration from a wide variety of sources.
Explore beautifully curated interior design magazines, visit model homes in your area, browse online platforms, or collect imagery that speaks to you—from architectural styles to unique finishes and details.
Whether you’re drawn to timeless Scottsdale adobe architecture, transitional elegance, or bold, modern minimalism, allow yourself the creative space to explore.
You might consider assembling a digital or physical inspiration board to collect:
• Architectural elements you love
• Color palettes that evoke a certain mood
• Material pairings that feel textural and elevated
• Layouts that support your lifestyle
While you explore ideas, keep practicality in mind—especially when considering materials and finishes.
If your household includes young children or pets, we’ll help you choose options that are not only beautiful but also durable and easy to maintain.
A well-designed home feels cohesive, and that comes from understanding how every room connects.
Together, we’ll look beyond individual rooms to create a holistic environment that flows naturally, both aesthetically and functionally.
Sketch Some Ideas
At this point, it can be helpful to sketch out loose ideas for how your home might be laid out.
This doesn’t need to be perfect—it’s simply a way to begin visualizing how you want your spaces to function and relate to one another.
Consider the purpose of each room, and how it supports your lifestyle.
For instance:
• Should bedrooms be tucked away from main living areas to preserve peace and privacy?
• Does your home need defined entertaining zones or open, connected communal space?
• How will you and your guests move through the home, from the front door to the outdoor patio?
This is also the stage where collaborating with an experienced home builder or designer becomes especially valuable.
A professional will not only bring a trained eye and creative thinking—but they’ll also identify potential challenges, refine your ideas, and introduce thoughtful solutions you may not have considered.
Getting the layout right in the beginning streamlines the entire process that follows. And when every square foot is intentional and meaningful, you’re not just building a home—you’re designing how you want to live.
Choose the Right Professionals
One of the most impactful decisions you’ll make throughout the design and build process is selecting the right professionals to bring your vision to life.
This isn’t just about craftsmanship—it’s about trust, communication, shared values, and the ability to guide you through a deeply personal journey with clarity and care.
Start by seeking out recommendations from those you trust.
If you know someone who has built or remodeled their home, ask about their experience—what went well, what they’d do differently, and most importantly, who they’d recommend.
Online reviews and testimonials can also offer helpful insight, but remember to read between the lines. Look for patterns—consistency in service, quality, and client care that reflect a company’s true reputation.
As you evaluate potential builders or designers, be sure they offer a comprehensive scope of services.
The most seamless projects are those where the entire team—designers, project managers, builders, and tradespeople—works in sync under one roof, aligning each phase with precision and purpose.
When you choose a firm that offers both elevated design and end-to-end project management, you’ll not only simplify the process—you’ll gain peace of mind knowing every detail is being handled with the same level of integrity you would expect for your own home.
Designing Your Home in Scottsdale
Designing a custom home in Scottsdale is an incredibly rewarding experience—especially when guided by the right professionals who understand your lifestyle, your priorities, and the refined aesthetic you’re after.
At Mariano & Co., we specialize in luxury custom homes that combine timeless design with modern functionality.
Our team is known for delivering what we call a 5 STAR experience—a commitment to excellence, clear communication, and craftsmanship that stands the test of time.
From the first conversation to the final walkthrough, we’re here to guide you with transparency, creativity, and a shared dedication to bringing your dream home to life.
We offer a full range of services and have received a range of awards for the quality work we produce. Reach out to our team today to learn more!
Looking for a Scottsdale custom home builders? At Mariano & Co., we specialize in crafting luxury custom homes with timeless design, precision craftsmanship, and a client-first approach. As a premier Scottsdale home building company, we’re proud to be Your Contractor for Life—committed to delivering an exceptional experience from concept to completion and beyond. Call (480) 287-4096 or request a consultation online to begin your journey.
