Let’s start with the garage.
Not because it is glamorous, but because it can dictate the driveway, front elevation, entrance, kitchen placement, utilities, storage, and even the overall shape of the house.
How much garage do you actually want?
One car? One-and-a-half? Two? Two-and-a-half? Three?
Extra width often matters more than people think. It can create room for bicycles, tools, storage, a workbench, motorcycle, freezer, or simply enough space to walk around cars comfortably.
If you have the height and structure, perhaps you want a car lift.
The garage is also often a utility center. Electrical panels, water heaters, networking, battery equipment, irrigation controls, pool systems, and other services frequently gravitate toward it.
On smaller homes, the garage may double as laundry, workshop, storage, and recreation.
One feature I particularly like is a pass-through garage with a large door toward the backyard. Now lawn equipment, bicycles, kayaks, furniture, and tools can move through without passing through the house. Open both sides during a party and the garage can become a covered informal recreation area.
But remember the street elevation.
Some houses are two-thirds garage door when viewed from the street.
If possible, turn the garage sideways, angle it, recess it, or create a small motor court so the garage door does not become the face of the house.
The garage also determines the driveway and often wants to be close to the kitchen because you will carry groceries between them thousands of times.
It sounds strange to begin a dream house with the garage, but the garage often anchors the entire plan.