As part of my process with new clients we create a brief at the outset. This is about understanding how you live, what you need and your priorities.

I would not worry about trying to draw designs (unless you really enjoy this of course!) but rather really thinking about a brief and what is important to you.
For example, "a large kitchen dining space where it suits a family of 4 but at Christmas we can have all the family around the table". Or "a utility space with a side/back door is really important for washing our muddy dog after walks". Or "we need to have a space that could be converted that would allow an elderly relative to potentially move in if required in the future" etc etc.

A clear idea as to what you need and would like makes creating the brief quicker and gives you a clear direction with the project.

@Jonathan Thanks for the great tip! You mentioned "Then I would look at home plans online for inspiration before putting down anything on paper". There are so many online and I haven't found any that's inspiring - might be looking at the wrong ones. Do you have any recommendations?

@Lacey Architecture Thanks for the great tip! I do like drawing designs (have been since I was little) - so you'd recommend writing out what is important in the house for us etc? Will an architect redesign what I've drawn completely?

It helps to clearly think about what is important and often put this in an order (even if you end up changing it when you start drawing).

I cant comment definitively if an architect will change your design, they will be thinking about orientation, drainage, site, context, budget, efficient layout (minimising "wasted" space) and also meeting your requirements. However, if you enjoy the process and have the time to work through and think about your design, there is no reason why it would definitely need changing.

Try to find floor plans for comparable houses you like and see how their layout works, use that as the bones to start drawing your own. Then starting thinking about how the external form looks with those first floor plans and go back and forwards changing both to arrive at a good solution.
Also depending on your location, you may need to think about context and "fitting in" with your neighbors (important in a sensitive/conservation area).

There are lots of good renovation/building magazines, "build-it" etc with floor plans. Might be worth a quick look in a large newsagent etc to see which might be useful to you.

That's very helpful of you Lacey Architecture !! I will keep all those in mind and check out "built-it". It's going to be one long process but really looking forward to it.

What an exciting project. I would be the same and wanting to go through lots of designs before consulting an architect. Most renovation programmes put the floor plans up so maybe watch a few of year favourite ones too. Also a lot of the Houzz stories include (often very innovative) plans. I would then talk to the architect about what I'd been thinking, but expect them to come up with some fresh ideas because they have trained for years and I haven't!

I cannot resist looking at Potton Homes' website since many of their plans are shown right through to final build and people talk about the challenges they faced, sometimes to their own ideas that during discussions with professionals were found to be a little wanting.

Whilst I have bought, renovated and sold a few houses in my lifetime, my hope was always to do what you intend to do and build that dream home from ground up but sadly, the resources I have left for retirement preclude such an adventure, so I continue having to just renovate what probably will be my final home, so I am very envious of your endeavour.

Please keep us full informed as to your progress. Meanwhile I liketo dream I am one of those owners on a Grand Designs development - there are 3 series running you know: UK, Australia or New Zealand and all 3 are good to watch for ideas.