Look, there are a thousand reasons to want to build a villa. All of them are valid. Everyone has their dreams, their whims, and their own way of understanding luxury. I’ve worked with clients who wanted a house right on the edge of the sea just to watch the sunrise on Sundays with a cup of coffee in hand, and with others who wanted a walk-in wardrobe bigger than the living room of their current home — and I’m not exaggerating.
Now, I’m going to tell you something that might surprise you: building a luxury villa is not easy. Not fast. And not perfect. At best, it’s a journey full of twists, important decisions, and many opportunities to make mistakes. That’s why I wrote this: to help you avoid them. Because I assure you, there are mistakes that, if you can avoid them, you’ll sleep much more peacefully.
This is what you’re going to discover (and you’ll be glad you read it)
You’re not here just out of curiosity. You’re here because the idea of building that villa you’ve been fantasizing about has been on your mind for a while. Maybe on the coast. Maybe in the mountains. Maybe because you’ve earned it and want to treat yourself. Or because you want to leave a legacy. Or simply because you’re tired of houses that say nothing about you.
And since I know the process can be as exciting as it is chaotic, I’m going to tell you — without technical jargon or empty words — the most common mistakes made when building luxury villas. But I’ll also tell you how to avoid them. With real examples, situations I’ve lived through, lessons learned with a coffee in hand and plans spread across the table.
You’ll see:
- How a plot with spectacular views can actually be a deadly trap.
- Why choosing the “most famous” architect isn’t always a guarantee of success.
- What happens when interior designers join the project too late.
- How a poorly oriented swimming pool can ruin entire summers.
I’m going to tell you stories. I’m going to give you solutions. But above all, I’m going to tell you the truth. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that in this world there are too many beautiful façades and not enough homes designed to be lived in well.
The heart of the matter: real mistakes I’ve seen again and again
Choosing the plot with your eyes… but not with your head
There are plots that make you fall in love. You see them and you’re already imagining the infinity pool, breakfasts overlooking the sea, your own chiringuito where you host friends.
But be careful. The plot can be your greatest ally or your biggest mistake.
The problem? What you can’t see.
I’ve had clients who bought plots with spectacular views… only to later discover that the subsoil was solid rock. Do you know how much it costs to excavate that for a basement level? Another case: a hillside with postcard sunsets, but north-facing. The result? A villa that felt like an igloo in winter.
Friendly advice: before buying, call an architect. A technician. A surveyor. Or all of them. What you see in a drone video isn’t even 10% of what really matters.
Believing any architect can design a luxury villa
Look, this is delicate to say, but I’ll say it anyway.
Not all architects understand luxury.
And I’m not saying this out of ego. I say it because I’ve had to redo villas with absurd layouts, no privacy, staircases that feel like a hospital, or bathrooms without a single window. And we’re talking about houses with over a thousand built square meters.
So what does it mean to know how to design luxury?
It means knowing how space is lived. Understanding how light flows. Thinking about how you move from the shower to the dressing room without crossing the living room. Having the sensitivity for a house to embrace you, not overwhelm you.
Starting without a clear plan (and then putting out fires)
Let me tell you something personal. My early years as an architect were like playing Tetris. I kept fitting decisions in as problems appeared. That’s how I learned that without a global plan, even the most expensive villa can end up feeling like a collage.
I’ve seen projects where the pool was desgined first, without knowing where the spa would go. Or where large windows were installed before choosing the home automation systems. The result? Problems installations, cost overruns, and above all, frustration.
Antidote: a solid plan. A real one. One that considers everything: design, interior design, technology, maintenance, landscaping, daily use. Everything.
Obsessing over design… and forgetting how the house is lived
There are villas that look like they’ve come straight out of a magazine. But have you ever tried living in one? Some don’t even have a decent wardrobe. Or the sockets are in the wrong place. Or doors echo because nobody thought about acoustics.
Real example:
A beautiful villa, with floor-to-ceiling glass. Incredible. But not a single motorized curtain. At nine in the morning, an oven. At nine at night, a shop window.
Moral: beauty without functionality is just scenery. True luxury adapts to you, not the other way around.
Betting on the latest technology… when it’s already too late
Home automation, solar panels, home cinema, zoned climate control. It all sounds great. But if you leave it until the end, be prepared to see cables, boxes, and forced solutions.
Technology must be designed together with the architecture. From the very beginning. Otherwise, it becomes an add-on, not an integration. And what you want is a home that responds to you, not one that feels like a gadget store.
Budgets without control (and the bill you didn’t expect)
I’ve lived this so many times that I’ve developed a radar. “I don’t have a limited budget,” some clients tell me. And six months later, we’re reviewing every euro because costs have skyrocketed.
The problem isn’t spending money. The problem is spending without a strategy.
How do you avoid it?
- Define budgets by phases.
- Work with professionals who offer transparency.
- Don’t make major decisions mid-process without reviewing the overall impact.
What you should do instead (and save yourself many sleepless nights)
Build a team that understands each other
You have no idea how important it is for the architect, the surveyor, interior designer, and builder to communicate. To be aligned. To respect your vision and not pass the buck.
A team that works well together is your best investment. Trust me.
Think about how you want to live… not just how it will look
Let me ask you a few questions I always ask my clients:
Are you more into coffee in the sun or a nap in the shade?
Do you enjoy cooking, or do you prefer someone else to do it for you?
Do you host guests every week or once a year?
Do you prefer a shower with views or a bathtub with candles?
Every answer is a clue to designing your villa for you, not for Instagram.
Straight answers, honestly
How long will all of this take?
Between 18 and 24 months. More if you’re indecisive. Less if you trust the process. Don’t rush it: a well-built villa is for life.
Is it possible not to go over budget?
Yes — if you plan properly. If you’re clear about what you want and what you don’t. And if you work with a team that knows not only how to build, but how to listen.
Can I delegate everything?
You can delegate, yes. Disengage, no. Your presence and decisions are part of the process. The house is you. And if you’re not involved, it will never be completely yours.
Building well is building with soul
I could tell you a thousand stories. Happy clients. Mistakes avoided. Others who learned the hard way.
Would you like to start your villa without mistakes, without surprises, and with someone who truly listens?
Let’s talk. At The Villas Architect, we don’t just design villas. We design ways of living.
