We are excited to welcome you to our Activa Design Studio, where personalizing your new home is simple, enjoyable, and stress-free. From choosing cabinetry and hardware to flooring, tiles, lighting, and finishing touches, you will have the opportunity to create a home that reflects your lifestyle and taste.
The best part? You won’t have to navigate the process alone. Your dedicated Design Consultant will guide you every step of the way, helping you understand your options, make confident decisions, and bring your home to life.
3 Steps in the Design Studio Process
Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick overview of the three key steps in the Design Studio Process!
- The Design Studio Tour
Tour the Design Studio and discover the finishes, features, and upgrade options available for your home. No decisions required at this stage! - The Private Appointment
Meet one-on-one with a Design Consultant to choose colours, materials, and upgrades that fit your style and budget. - Review your Selections
Go over your selections one final time to ensure everything is exactly how you want it before moving forward.
Now, let’s take a closer look at each step and how our team helps bring your vision to life.
Step 1: The Design Studio Tour
Your Design Studio experience begins with a guided tour. Our expert Design Team will walk you through the Design Studio, where you can explore the standard finishes included in your new-build home as well as a wide range of beautiful upgrade options you can purchase based on the ActivaSeries home you’ve chosen.
You will have the opportunity to explore different home design styles, helping you begin to identify what you love, without the stress of making any decisions at this stage. This tour gives you a better understanding of what is included in your home and the design possibilities available to you. This is the perfect time to gather inspiration and start to identify what best reflects your style!
There’s no need to book an appointment for your Design Studio tour. Tours are available on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. After your tour, you’re welcome to continue browsing, or you can visit during our browsing hours, available Monday – Wednesday from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Step 2: The Private Appointment
During your private appointment, you will make the design selections that will personalize your new home, including flooring, tiles, lighting, and other interior finishes. Once you have had some time to reflect and discuss what you have seen on your guided tour, you will be paired with a dedicated Design Consultant. Here you will be guided through colour finishes, materials, and any upgrades you may wish to purchase. Together, you will review the design options available for your new-build Activa home and make selections that best reflect your personal style and lifestyle needs. For StarterSeries homes, this process is simplified through thoughtfully curated colour packages designed by our professional Design Studio team. With expert guidance throughout the process you can feel confident in the choices you’re making as you vision for your new home comes to life.
Step 3: Review Your Selections
Your final appointment gives you the opportunity to review the design choices you made during your private Design Studio appointment. This dedicated review time allows you to revisit your selections before everything is finalized. By the end of this step, you can feel confident knowing that your selections have been carefully reviewed, and your home reflects the choices that are right for you.
Tips on Preparing for Your Design Studio Appointments!
Set your budget
Planning ahead can help you determine how much you would like to spend on features and upgrades for your new home. Having a budget in mind allows our team to guide you through choices that align with your priorities, manage expectations, and support your vision for your dream home.
Choose your kitchen appliances
Before your private appointment, know which appliances you want in your kitchen and review the standard appliance opening sizes (as per our plans). If you would like to modify the standard appliance sizes, please bring the manufacturer’s appliance specification sheet, available through the retailer or manufacturer’s website to the beginning of your private appointment. You may also visit Goeman’s, our preferred appliance partner, for support in finding appliances that best suit your home and lifestyle.
List your must-have upgrades
Before your private appointment, take some time to think about the features, finishes, and design details that are most important to have in your new home. As you establish your budget, consider creating a list of “must-have” upgrades to help simplify decision-making and ensure you focus on the elements that matter most to you.
Some of our must-have upgrades include;
Kitchen Backsplash

Wood Stairs and Stain to Railings

Quartz Countertops

Let Activa’s Team Help You Bring Your Vision to Life
We hope this guide helps you feel informed, prepared, and excited as you begin the Design Studio process. Most importantly, remember that our Design Studio team is here to support you every step of the way. From your first tour of the Design Studio to your final review of your selections, we are committed to helping you create a home that reflects your style, needs, and vision for the future.
Thinking of purchasing a new-build home in Kitchener-Waterloo, but don’t know where to start? Explore what’s available from Activa!
Activa Design Studio Hours
Browsing Hours
Monday – Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tour Hours
Monday & Wednesday: 4:00 PM + 5:00 PM
Sales Centre Hours
Monday – Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Address
Suite 3, 55 Columbia St. East, Waterloo
Phone: 519-570-4211
Email: designstudio@activa.ca








