All you first-time home buyers preparing to build or buy a new custom home with ICI Homes deserve a figurative pat on the back! Congratulations on taking this major first step in your homeownership journey.
And, since first-time buyers often must work within budget parameters to achieve this milestone (hello, most of us) that means being savvy about choosing the right-sized home rather than a dream home right out of the gate.
Today’s floor plans offer far more options than ever before. But if the phrase “starter home” makes you worry about a space deficit, that’s a non-issue with ICI Homes floor plans.
Here’s how to optimize space in a new ICI Homes starter home.
Key Takeaways
Decluttering before move-in creates a clean slate and helps you thoughtfully furnish your new ICI Homes starter home.
Light, neutral colors and layered lighting amplify natural sunshine and make interiors feel more open and spacious.
Smart storage solutions like ceiling-height cabinets and built-in shelving maximize every inch of your home.
Right-sized furniture tailored to your floor plan can dramatically enhance the comfort and functionality of a starter home.
Let’s jump in!
Decluttering
Declutter! It’s an excellent first step for many reasons:
You can do it immediately, before you move, or in preparation for staging your current home if you’re selling one first.
Earn some extra coin by selling stuff you don’t want.
Removing clutter boosts your sense of accomplishment, important when you’re preparing to move to into your first new custom Florida home.
Decluttering also gives you more time and space to thoughtfully furnish your starter home, rather than cramming in stuff that might not work in a new floor plan.
Choose lighter-hued, neutral design elements
Lighter colors amplify the natural light and Florida sunshine streaming through your new custom home’s windows, combining with natural light to visually expand and brighten interior spaces.
Don’t think this means only beige, white or gray! Lighter hues of any color work, such as a pale, whitewashed blue.
Darker colors and design elements such as flooring, absorb light rather than reflecting it, tending to make interior spaces feel smaller, or “cozier” in popular parlance.
Knowing the difference between lighter and darker hues allows you to consider more possibilities.
Opt for extra cabinets
Know anyone who’s complained about too much storage? We thought so. Another good reason to choose a new custom Florida home from ICI Homes as your starter home.
We’re known as Florida’s Custom Home Builder after building them all over the state for 45 years, and our designers, builders and sales associates love to tweak floor plans to help customers get what they truly need at any stage of homeownership.
Extend laundry room and kitchen cabinets to the ceiling to stash stuff you don’t use often, like holiday items. Tuck extra cubbyhole shelves into any walk-in closet.
Right-size furnishings
Sometimes you need to keep existing furniture before planning for future furniture.
When the time is right, acquiring furnishings that fit your new ICI Homes starter home will make it feel like it gained extra square footage overnight!
Brighten it up
A well-lit room expands visually like lighter colors do. Layered lighting, like recessed ceiling lights, lamps and under-the-cabinet kitchen lights, make any room feel more spacious and multi-dimensional. LED bulbs also are a brighter, thriftier choice.
Ready for your new custom Florida home? Talk to ICI Homes here.
And, since first-time buyers often must work within budget parameters to achieve this milestone (hello, most of us) that means being savvy about choosing the right-sized home rather than a dream home right out of the gate.
