The beauty of building a custom home is you can guarantee it’s built for your specific wants and needs! Here are 3 things to consider when making a floor plan!
- Assess Your Family’s Current and Future Needs Start by asking a few important questions to help prioritize your needs:
- How many people live here, or will live here in the future? Are you planning for future children, elderly relatives, or frequent guests? If so, consider:
- extra bedrooms or bathrooms,
- flexible rooms (rooms that can switch between office and playroom as needs change)
- A guest suite or separate spaces for grandparents
- Do you host a lot? If entertaining is important to you, think about incorporating:
- A large dining area
- A spacious living room
- A nice patio for BBQs or outdoor gatherings
- An indoor or outdoor bar area
These features can make a big difference when hosting friends and family!
- What Hobbies Do You Have? If you enjoy certain hobbies or need space for your family’s activities, it’s essential to plan accordingly. Consider adding:
- A dedicated gym
- A craft room or workshop
- A playroom for kids
- A greenhouse or plant room
It’s also helpful to design spaces that can adapt to different hobbies as your family’s interests evolve. For example, a playroom today could easily become a craft room or study room in a few years, ensuring your home grows with you.
- How You Live and Entertain
Think about how your family functions on a daily basis, as well as how you like to entertain or spend time together. Here are some design options to consider:
- Open vs. Defined Spaces: Open floor plans are great for families who like to entertain and spend time together in shared spaces. A large kitchen with an island that opens up to the living room fosters connection. However, some families may prefer more defined spaces for privacy, like a formal dining room or a separate family room.
- Indoor-Outdoor Flow: If your family enjoys outdoor living, try integrating outdoor spaces into your floor plan. Consider adding a:
- deck or patio
- 3/4 seasonal room
- outdoor kitchen
- fire-pit
- or even pool area
- Multi-Generational Living: Whether it’s older relatives or nieces and nephews coming to stay for college, multi-generational living is common. Look for a floor plan that offers:
- A guest suite or dual master suites
- A separate entrance if wanted
- Additional Kitchens or Kitchenettes
- Accessibility Features (wider doorways, step-free entrances, etc)
- Soundproofing for privacy
- or Additional living areas for privacy
Choosing the right floor plan is about designing a space that fits your family’s needs now and in the future. With careful thought on space, hobbies, and how you live, you can create a home that truly works for you.