Finding the Right Floorplan

Building a new home is exciting and offers so many options you can't get with an existing home, but it can be easy to get overwhelmed by some of the over-the-top homes and projects you see on HGTV, Houzz, or Pinterest. Before you get into the finer details, it’s important that you spend quality time choosing a floor plan that fits your family’s lifestyle. 

BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS

Before you start planning that gourmet kitchen, it’s important to narrow your initial search by the “must-haves”, and in most cases that is the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the home. Be sure to give thought to how you may grow into your home, ensuring the floor plan has enough bedroom and bathroom space for the foreseeable future. 

FLEX SPACES

Next dive into those secondary, yet likely necessary spaces. You’ll often see builders label these spaces as “Flex Rooms”, and they can serve a variety of functions in your day-to-day life. Think about activities happening in your home that you may want a dedicated space for. This could be a children’s playroom or home-schooling space, or a home office oasis that allows you the privacy you need when working from home. Not seeing a flex room on the floor plan? Double-check that bedroom count and see if you can utilize a spare bedroom for your secondary space requirements. 

REAR FOYER 

Often forgotten but equally as important, is the entrance to your home from the garage. You’ll see this labeled on floor plans as the family foyer, mudroom, or even just the laundry room. Although it may not feel like a crucial component of your new home, give thought to the organization you want for your home. What type of space do you need to function as people come in and out of the house? Is a drop zone cabinet space important to you; somewhere to collect keys, phones, and purses before heading out the door? Or maybe it’s capabilities to fit wall lockers or cubbies; a home base to store the kids’ backpacks and outdoor gear? That entry to and from the garage is likely more important than you initially thought, so be sure to find a floor plan that allows you to streamline your daily routine.

GENERAL LAYOUT

Once you’ve narrowed down your must-haves, you should focus on more of the general layout, such as the flow between living, dining, and kitchen spaces, as well as the space allotted for each area. In today’s market, most new construction floor plans are open-concept, but how those main living areas are connected can vary from plan to plan. Give thought to your daily dining routine; are you a “dine at the kitchen island” family? Or do you prefer to sit down at your dining table? Take a glance at the floor plan and ensure that there’s enough space for whatever your preferred dining option. 

Next, take a peek at that kitchen-to-living layout. Do you want to see the television while in the kitchen? Give thought to specific furniture and television placement. If you like to entertain, having a combined kitchen and living area can help with the flow of traffic when hosting large groups, and allow you, as the host, to remain connected to everyone while working in the kitchen. 

Once you’ve prioritized the “must-haves” and the “would be nice to haves”, your hunt for the perfect floor plan will become easier. Stay focused on the core space that you’ll need in your new home and know you can always dive into those Pinterest projects after moving day.