Designing a home from scratch is an exciting and life-changing process.
However, between choosing your team, gathering the right information, and weighing all of your options, it takes a lot of time and energy to make your dream home a reality. One of the most important decisions you will make in your custom home building journey is the layout of your floor plan.
This plan will outline the different rooms in your house, their size, and their function. Your ideal floor plan takes your lifestyle into consideration –– meaning your plan may be very different from that of your neighbor.
From years of experience designing and building luxury homes, we have put together a guide for how to choose a floor plan.
Read on to learn about the different floor plans and how to make the best decision for your home.
Different Types of Floor Plans
Before we dive into the floor plan design tips and how to choose a floor plan, let’s go over the different types of floor plans.
1. Traditional (Closed) Floor Plans
In a traditional or closed floor plan, there are more walls that separate each room in the house. The kitchen, dining room, living room and each bedroom are all sectioned off by walls and doors.
There are several benefits to this type of floor plan including more privacy, better noise control, and a lower electric bill. With a traditional floor plan, you can also give each room its own unique design style and the overall feel of the house may be cozier.
2. Contemporary (Open) Floor Plans
Contemporary or open floor plans are a more modern option. In this style of floor plan, there are fewer walls and most of the rooms come together. For example, you can have the kitchen open to the living room, making it possible to cook dinner without missing your favorite show.
Because of the popularity of this style of floor plan, you may have an easier time selling the house if you ever plan to move. It also allows for more accessibility throughout the house, and greater visibility making it easier to keep an eye on children or pets.
3. Custom Floor Plans
As the name implies, a custom floor plan is one created from scratch. In this style you can mix and match elements from both open and closed styles to make your perfect layout. This is best for people who have unique lifestyle needs.
5 Floor Plan Design Tips
Now that we have a clear idea of the different types of floor plans, here are five floor plan design tips to keep in mind when creating your ideal floor plan.
1. Go with the flow
When you’re choosing between different floor plans, imagine yourself walking through your home.
Can you easily get from room to room and do all of the things that you need to do in a typical day? Can you walk to the dining room to serve what you’ve been cooking up in the kitchen? Is there a straight path from the carport to the fridge for when you have your arms full of groceries? Imagine a day in your life in each floor plan you consider.
2. Think about levels
If you have a large family, a multi-story house might allow everyone to have their own space. If you are a couple or single person building a house, a single-floor home with a large communal space may be a better option.
Stairs are also an important consideration. If you are entering your golden years, stairs may become tough to navigate later on. If you have young children, they could also be a potential hazard. Consider how you will be growing into your house, and if multiple stories would be a help or a burden.
3. Functional is fun
You may be tempted to rush through the planning of more functional rooms like the laundry room or hallways in order to focus on bedrooms and kitchens. However, these rooms are an essential part of your daily life and should be designed with care.
Thoughtfully designing functional rooms can make your cleaning and organizing tasks much easier. For example, you may want to include counter space in your laundry room so that you can fold all of your clothes right out of the dryer. What is your ideal way to handle everyday tasks?
4. Make room for your friends
An ideal floor plan creates a welcoming environment for guests the moment they walk in the door.
If you are a frequent entertainer, you may want to opt for an open floor plan living room and kitchen for guests to sit and mingle. However, if you prefer more privacy, you can also choose to have a closed living room right off of the door so guests have a designated area they can relax in without exposing the rest of the house.
5. Look at the outdoor space
Your luxury floor plan will likely include an outdoor area in the front yard or backyard. There are many options for outdoor living spaces, such as a porch for the front area, a seating area in the backyard, or even a pool.
Consider how much time your family will be spending in outdoor areas, and what you will use them for. If you live in an area with temperate weather, you may want to create an outdoor dining space for dinners at sunset.
Create Your Ideal Floor Plan With Cullum Homes
The team at Cullum Homes understands that your home is your refuge; the place you go to relax, and an expression of your unique lifestyle.
That’s why we create floor plans from the inside out, focusing first and foremost on the livability, views, and functionality of your home while also considering your point of view and design style. With over 35 years of experience, we can help you design your estate home from start to finish.
Ready to build your dream home? Contact us today.