6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Floor Plan for Your New Home
Posted by: Regent Homes, on February 16, 2015
What should my new home look like? What do I need in it? How do we make this the perfect house for us? When you’re building a custom home, these initial questions may seem simple – but they have life-changing effects. Your custom home layout should suit your needs perfectly, both now and in the future.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to choosing the right home floor plan layout for you.
1. How many floors do you need?
The following questions will help you to determine if a ranch-style or multilevel home will suit you best.
- Do you mind climbing stairs regularly?
- How much furniture needs to be carried up and down stairs?
- Do you or a member of your family have mobility issues?
- Do you want a better separation between public living spaces and private ones like bedrooms?
2. How many bedrooms do you need?
The number of bedrooms defines a home: a 3-bedroom, a 4-bedroom, and so on. Consider these factors to help you decide the bedroom count:
- How many separate sleeping quarters do you need? How many beds will need to go in each room?
- If you have kids, will they share or should they get separate rooms?
- Are you starting a family? How many rooms do you need to grow into?
- Do you want to have guest bedrooms?
3. Where do you want the master bedroom?
The placement of the master bedroom is key. Do you want it on the first floor, close to your living room, kitchen, and other common quarters? Or do you want it upstairs for more privacy? On the second floor the master bedroom can also be closer to the kids’ room or a nursery.
4. How many bathrooms do you need?
Just like bedrooms, bathrooms are also used to define a house: 2-bathroom, 2.5-bath, etc. It’s best to assume a minimum of one bathroom per floor (including one in the basement, if it’s going to be finished). Then consider:
- Full-bathrooms or half-baths? Which ones need a shower or tub, and which ones just need a toilet and sink? Chances are the bathrooms on the main floor should only be half-baths.
- Which bathrooms are attached to bedrooms? Will every bedroom have its own bath (your master bedroom probably will!)? Or can bathrooms serve multiple bedrooms?
5. Where do you want the light in your home?
Consider the orientation of your home and where major windows should face. Think about the possible scenery outside your windows (street view, woods, backyard). Do you want evening or morning sun hitting:
- The kitchen?
- The master bedroom?
- The living room?
- A back patio?
- A front porch?
The orientation of your home will determine whether you get good evening sun on the patio, or whether bright morning light hits your bedroom windows.
6. What are your exact needs?
Consider how you live your life in your home, and how your current home does or doesn’t meet those needs. Think of these elements:
- Do you have favorite pieces of furniture (beds, couches, your grandmother’s china cabinet)? Where will they go?
- Do you work from home? Do you need dedicated office space?
- Do you like entertaining? Will you need a large kitchen or dining room (maybe with quick access to a patio) to host large groups?
- Do you or are you planning to have kids? Will you need play rooms for them?
- Do you need a big room for the TV and surround sound system? Do you like having friends over to watch the game or catch a movie?
As you answer all of these questions, keep a checklist of the rooms you will need: bedrooms, bathrooms, offices. Then note how you want to use each room: an open kitchen for entertaining, a media room in the basement, three bedrooms for your future kids. When you have your checklist, consult with us to choose the perfect custom floor plan for your future home!
Categories: Custom Homes, Floor Plans