Choosing the right floor plan for your home is the pillar of your overall home design. Unlike many other aspects of your home, you can’t easily change the floor plan after you build. As such, it’s vital to be sure of your choices before moving forward.
Here are some helpful tips for choosing the right floor plan for your new home.
Consider Your Lot Size
When looking for a floor plan for your home, consider the shape and size of your building lot. Doing so will help you choose the floor plan that’s best suited for the land. This step is especially important if you want the most yard space possible.
Before you choose a plan, be sure to look at the local zoning regulations to ensure you aren’t limited within your lot. For example, you may not be able to build within a specified distance from a brook or the edge of your property.
Look For Functionality And Efficiency
Size isn’t everything when looking for a home – the layout also plays a role. When comparing plans, consider the total living space as well as the layout. First Home Buyers Direct showcases this difference well with their new home designs in Perth.
Consider the flow of your home and how you want to get from one point to another. For example, you might want all the bedrooms grouped, or the master bedroom kept separately. Also, consider the floor plan’s openness, as this can impact your perception of the size and how well heat and air conditioning disperse.
Solve Your Pain Points
Many people create a wishlist when looking at floor plans. In addition to writing down what you want, write down the things you don’t want.
Consider the pain points from your current home and previous dwellings that caused you to dislike your surroundings. This veto list will help you narrow down your options and ensure you’re happy with your design.
Keep Your Lifestyle In Mind
Consider your lifestyle when you’re choosing a floor plan. What rooms merit more space than others? If you entertain often, your kitchen and living room might require more space than most homes. You may also want those rooms grouped in an open-concept layout for better functionality.
If you work from home, you might want a larger-than-average home office. If you rarely have visitors, you could do without a big dining room or guest room. Everyone has a different lifestyle that will impact what they want or need from a floor plan.
Think Long-Term Usage
When choosing a floor plan, think of how long you intend to stay in this home and how your usage will change in the future. If you have children, the space you need now may be too much later. You could then decide that the extra space is worth it and that you’ll move when the kids move out.
People who are getting older or who have accessibility needs should think twice about stairs and ease-of-access if they intend to stay in this home forever. Different stages of life necessitate different floor plans and layouts.
Don’t Forget Window Placement
Finally, don’t forget to look at the window placement when choosing a home. Many first-time builders tend to focus on floor plans and room sizes. However, the size and placement of your windows will have a significant impact on your quality of life.
For example, having large windows facing the neighbors could limit your privacy. Overlooking the fact that the design you like has limited or small windows will reduce the amount of natural light you get. It’s also worth looking at which direction windows are facing, as this will impact when you get light throughout the day and affect your home heating and cooling costs.
Choosing a floor plan is a huge decision. Take time and be strategic in your approach to ensure you get the home you want.
