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5 Floor Plan Tips From Local House Builders

January 15, 2019

Is 2019 the year you jump in and build your custom home? It’s such a daunting, but exciting project to undertake and for that reason, it’s best to accomplish alongside local house builders. We’ve constructed new homes for more than 30 years, so we know which pitfalls to look out for and important things to keep in mind so you’re that much happier with the outcome. We want you to love your new home, which is why we’re here today to share five floor plan tips that will ensure you construct the home of your dreams, so let’s get right down to it. 1. Imagine Your Space Fully Occupied Before You Finalize Your Floor Plan As you walk through already constructed homes and dig into various floor plans, your new home comes to fruition in your mind. You start to decide on the layout and size of each space. But, before confirming each room is exactly how you want it, imagine it filled with your loved one. The kitchen is a good place to start. Who is in there cooking and can they easily access the right cabinets and accessories? Maybe it’s just you most days, but add in two more relatives once a month when you have everyone over for a celebratory dinner. Is there still enough space? Do you want the kids to work on their homework within your field of vision from the kitchen? Did you then add a bar stool area or is there a nearby kitchen table? Next, head into the main family room. Who’s in there during the week, on the weekend, and over long holidays? Will your mother-in-law be living with you? Will the kids have their friends over all the time? Do you like to host game nights or other social gatherings? Is the space still accommodating enough as it currently stands once these questions have been answered? 2. Is the Floor Plan Safe Enough? Every family is different, so think about your own personal situation when answering these questions. Maybe your husband is expected to have a knee replacement in the next few years. In that case, you may want to limit the number of stairs in the home. Or, maybe you’re just starting to grow your family and expect a few little ones to learn how to walk. In this instance, an open floor plan may not be the best solution as you might want to cordon off areas to limit where those little feet can travel. Safety should be even more of a focus if someone in your family has daily mobility issues and needs either a wheelchair, cane, or similar device as an aid. In that case, is this person able to properly maneuver within the home and through each doorway? No matter what your situation, you can work with your local house builders to create an accommodating and beautiful home of your dreams. 3. Ask Your Family for Input If your kids or parents will be living in your new abode, don’t forget to consult with them about the floor plan. While the decision is ultimately yours, since they will be living in the space with you, it’s best to ask if there is anything they would want on their custom home wish list. In fact, you may find that their ideas answer questions you hadn’t even thought about yet. A parent may request a reading nook where they can work on their morning crossword puzzle and that space may nicely double as your getaway in the evening before bed. Or your kids might prefer not to share a bathroom, making you realize that life will be less stressful if this is a wish you can fulfill. Or, maybe they want a laundry chute, so they don’t have to walk all the way to the laundry room while all you care about is that it gets there – a win, win solution for you both. 4. Don’t Forget About the Outdoors It’s easy to focus on the footprint of the home within the four main walls, but your outdoor area can be made into an extension of your space, especially if it’s something you consider upfront. Instead of thinking of the indoors and outdoors separately, create a seamless transition that elevates your sense of connection with nature; this will help to improve the functionality of your space and even your mood. Want ideas on ways to blend those two worlds? Reach out to your local house builders at New Tradition Homes where our design team can layout various options that will work with your lifestyle and aesthetic. 5. Create Enough of the Right Space What does this mean exactly? When you're developing your floor plan, it’s easy to add more space, but is the space your adding going to be used? Don’t design a bigger house or blank spaces for no reason. Be more intentional. Don’t regret adding in wasted space that is just going to cost you money to heat, but serves no purpose. At the same time, ensure you’re adding in the right amount of storage. Will you have the space for your daughter’s sports trophies, your toddler’s toys, your enormous collection of books, and your spouse's equally large collection of records? Go through your floor plan and decide where these items will be housed and if you're adding enough space to properly display the items you cherish. It’s no easy task to design a custom home, but if you work with local house builders like our team at New Tradition, the advice you’ll gain from the experts will be invaluable in ensuring you move into a space you truly love now and for many years to come. We also offer pre-established floor plans that can be adjusted to fit your exact desires, so that may be an even better solution if this process starts to feel overwhelming as it can be a great jumping off point.