I believe the first step is often overlooked, but I truly think it is one of the most influential and determining factors of terrarium designing. This step is called: understanding what you want and how you want to pull it off. Imagine having all the possible materials that you needed but not having an idea of how you are going to utilize them. Well, believe it or not, this happens to a lot of reptile keepers, including myself. Truly think about how you want this environment to be and look, since most of the time there will not be any going back. Consider factors such as basking spots, enclosure size, budget, and the time you are willing to sacrifice for maintenance.