If you are planning on building a new home, you will have likely come across a range of different options for floor plans. A home floor plan is a drawing that shows an overhead view of a house and highlights the relationships between the rooms and spaces.
Key Characteristics of Good Floor Plans
A good floor plan is the foundation for a well-designed home that is a joy to live in. Choosing wisely means there will be great solar gain (or shade in warmer climates), good flow between spaces, and noise management, and it is likely to increase your home’s resale value.
A good floor plan should:
Be versatile and flexible
Versatility might not be something you consider when planning your dream home. However, choosing a floor plan with flexible spaces means that an office space could easily be converted into a bedroom or vice versa. This is particularly important if you are planning on selling in the future or if you change your mind about the layout of your home.
Have a highly-considered room configuration
For optimal flow and enjoyment, rooms should work together. Bedrooms should be far away from entertainment spaces, bathrooms should not face common areas such as a dining room and kitchens should open out to a dining or living room.
Consider size
Considered every area in your house carefully so that there is enough room to move around and complete desired activities. It sounds simple, however, this is one of the main areas that people forget to take into account. This is one of the benefits of choosing a home from a proven catalog of home designs — your rooms will be just the right size for your needs, and therefore highly functional.
Choosing the Right Floor Plan for Your Home
Determine house size
In some situations, the size of the house will be dependent on the restrictions of the lot. For example, a sloping lot restricts the size of a house that can be built on it. A common house design for a sloping lot is a single-story split-level home. If you have more space to work with, you should consider the needs of your family and your lifestyle. This will help determine your floor plan size and number of stories.
Lifestyle considerations
This means considering the layout of rooms, size of rooms, and other specific requirements for your family. Don’t forget to think about your daily activities such as doing laundry and cleaning the house—do you want to walk up two flights of stairs to hang your washing?
Action Steps
Now you know exactly where to start whether you’re just shopping or are seriously interested in buying. Make a list of the topics mentioned about and really take some time to find out what you want. If you need insporation check out our home designs. If you need more assistance our new home consultants would be happy to help.
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