If you’re like most people planning a custom home build for the first time, choosing a house floor plan may be a foreign concept. Not to worry: Lee Builders has put together the top 10 tips you need to choose the right house floor plan for your build!
10 Tips for Choosing a House Floor Plan
Set Your Budget
Before you begin shopping for a house floor plan, it’s wise to first set your budget. This way, you’ll have a more realistic idea of what you’re able to afford. Some custom home builders offer base floor plans at set price points to help you get started, which you can then modify with your team to suit your personal needs.
Set Space Requirements
The next step in choosing the right layout for your custom home is setting your space requirements. How large or small your home is will ultimately impact the cost of your build. Take time to think about how much space you and your family truly need, and how you envision it being used once the build is completed.
Consider Use & Experience
Does your family entertain lots of guests? Do you value privacy and seclusion? Will you spend more time outdoors or indoors? Depending on your answers to these questions, you could be looking at a dramatically different layout for your custom home. Those who open their homes frequently to large gatherings will benefit from an open floor plan while those prefer defined space may prefer a compartmentalized blueprint. Be honest about how you plan to use and experience your space so you can have an easier time finding the floor plan that suits your needs.
Consider Energy Efficiency
Did you know that the way your home is laid out can have an impact on its energy efficiency? It’s true! From strategically placed windows that encourage cross-ventilation to compact floor plans designed for heat conservation, choosing the right house floor plan for your build now can translate to significant energy savings down the road.
Choose Your Style
Depending on the geographic location of your custom home build, you’ll need to choose a floor plan style that’s appropriate for its surroundings. For instance, a single-family dwelling might not be a suitable solution for those building in an urban environment. Instead, a multi-floor, brownstone-type floor plan might be a better option for city dwellers. By considering your surroundings when developing your layout, you’ll be able to ensure that your home remains marketable for years to come while also creating a home that fits naturally into its environment.
Consider Personal Property
Did your grandfather leave you a grand piano in his will? Is your mother’s china cabinet something you can’t live without? If you have irreplaceable personal property with unique space considerations, you’ll need to ensure your floor plan takes this into account. Consider building a custom nook in your dining room that perfectly houses your china cabinet, or create a music room for that piano. Whatever personal affects you have that you can’t live without, make sure they are able to safely live inside your new home by creating a floor plan that allows for them!
Consider the Future
Ideally, your custom home is one that you will spend time in for many years to come. For this reason, it’s critical that you consider how your living situation may change in the next five to 10 years. Will you still be able to climb the stairs comfortably? Are you planning on having children? Do you plan to care for an elderly loved one? Plan ahead for your future by considering these things now rather than requiring a home addition or remodel sooner than you thought.
Focus on Blueprints
It’s understandable that you’ll get excited about all the finishing features of your new home — isn’t that the beauty of a custom build? But one thing we caution against is getting too caught up in the minor details when what’s truly important is the layout. What defines your home is the floor plan, not the fixtures that exist within that floor plan. Once you’re sure that the layout you’ve selected is the one that will work best for your home, the interior design aspect will come later and will allow you to take personalization to the next level.
Accept Pros & Cons
No matter how hard you may try, the fact of the matter is that there will always be advantages and disadvantages to whatever layout you choose. Accept the fact that there will be pros and cons to the floor plan you select for your build, but know that this doesn’t mean you won’t still be completely happy with the final result. For example, an open floor plan might be great for entertaining large parties, but the lack of noise-dampening walls will result in a louder indoor environment when all the party-goers finally go home for the evening. Figure out what sacrifices you are willing to make and what qualities are non-negotiable for your living space so you can weigh the pros and cons of each house plan option before you begin the build.
Trust Your Instincts
At the end of the day, no one has to be comfortable in your custom home but you and your family. Some house floor plans might stand out while others fall short of your expectations — and that’s okay. What matters most is the feeling you get after experiencing a specific layout. Every family is different and requires different things from their home, so it’s best to trust your gut when it comes to selecting the floor plan that’s best for your needs.
Bonus Tip: Work with a Custom Home Builder!
Selecting the right floor plan for your custom home is a huge undertaking. Get the expert guidance you need by choosing to work with the custom home builders at Lee Builders! Our team offers a broad range of base floor plans to help you visualize your custom space. From there, we’ll work closely with you to deliver a custom-tailored layout that meets your individual needs. Allow our team to find the floor plan that works best for your custom build by scheduling a consultation with our custom home builders today.
