Things To Consider When Choosing A Floor Plan For Your New Home
Choosing a floor plan can be the most stressful part of designing your new home. Your might become attached to plans that you’ve dreamed about having, rather than choosing a plan that fits your lifestyle.
It can also be scary to choose just one plan because you’re also thinking about the future. What if we need to expand? Or how will this house sell in the future?
Prioritize
Prioritizing is the key to picking the right floor plan for you and your family.
Size: Once you know how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need, you’ll be able to eliminate many possibilities. Choosing a plan that will allow you to expand later on if needed can help mediate any indecisiveness you might have.
- How many people will be living in your house?
- Do you have children now, or do you plan on having them later on?
- Also, will you need to consider space for an elderly parent or relative to come and live later?
- Would you like to have a guest room?
Determine What You Can Afford
Budget: You’ll have figured out that more square footage equals more expense. Your home designer will be able to tell you which floor plans are right for your budget. (Note: Total square footage includes only the finished parts of the house – areas with sheetrock, wallpaper, paint, and sometimes heated spaces. Attics, garages, and porches are not included in square footage.)
Consider Your Lifestyle
Lifestyle: You’ll be spending years in this house (here’s hoping). Your floor plan should mesh with your needs and wants, allowing you to have the right amount of privacy and space for your activities.
- Would you prefer to have the bedrooms and bathrooms all together (good for families with young children) or separated by living areas?
- Which rooms will you use the most? For example, will you spend time as a family mostly in the kitchen or do you need a large family room?
- Would you like to entertain a lot, and need open and flowing living and dining areas?
- Do you have any activities that you’re particularly devoted to? Would you like to dedicate a space to it, like a workshop or studio?
Determine Your Style
Your home design style: Your floor plan should harmonize with the overall house design.
Styles like Modern or Prairie are known for their open floor plans, while more traditional forms almost require separate rooms.
Whether or not your plan will have one story, two stories, or be split-level also depends on the home style you choose.
What About The Yard?
Outdoor space: It’s important to know how much maintenance work you’re up to doing. Large outdoor spaces like pools, lanais, and wraparound porches are beautiful only if they’re taken care of. If you’re not ready to put much effort into outdoor spaces, you should reduce them or leave room for expansion later on.
Don’t Forget The Details
These two points require some attention to detail:
Are you buying furniture or bringing in your old furniture? If you keep your old furniture, your floor plan must accommodate the size of that furniture. Furniture that is too big will shrink your space, and furniture that is too small will make the room feel oddly empty. Either way, you will not be satisfied when you start living in your home.
Do you need to make allowances for accessibility or special needs? If you have a family member who needs extra space to maneuver a wheelchair or needs an elevator, you must include this in your home plan.
It’s important to base your decisions on functionality, rather than finishes, appliances, and small details. Your priority should be to figure out how the home plan flows and complements your lifestyle. Every plan will have pros and cons, but the home plan you pick should complement your life, not impede it.
Once you’ve considered these questions, the team at Elite Design Group can help you narrow down your choices.
