60% of homebuyers say they’d prefer a new build home over an existing one. The idea of a brand new home can be exciting, imagining getting the perfect home of your dreams.
It can also feel daunting to plan the building of a new home. With so many options and decisions, you don’t want to make a mistake and not make the right choice in your custom floor plan.
So, what are the most important things to remember when working with your architect and custom builder as you create your custom home?
Read on to learn what you should remember when planning your custom floor plan.
1. Take Advantage of the Property
If you’re building a custom home, you’ve likely also bought the property it will be built on. You want to create a home floor plan that works with your building site.
If you have views you want to enjoy, make sure your home can take advantage of what you see out of your windows. You may have a property with water or mountains out your door.
Plan where your windows and doors are located to take advantage of those views.
2. Give Every Room Maximum Light
Like paying attention to the property your home will get built on, you also want to pay attention to how it sits for the sun.
Natural light in your home is important; you want it in every room possible. The more natural light you can achieve in your home, the less artificial light you’ll need, which can become a significant cost savings over time.
If you can decide how to orient your home, we recommend facing your front door to the South. South and Southwest facing windows provide optimal natural lighting. Moreover, other benefits include: warm light in the morning, better lighting during the winter to melt snow in the driveway, and shade in the backyard in the evening when the sun is at its apex.
3. Consider Your Room Priorities
If you’re doing a custom-built home, you want to carefully evaluate your priorities for rooms and their sizes.
Of course, you need to consider how many bedrooms you need. But you should also consider their size, especially if kids share a room.
You might work from home, so a home office space would be a priority so you can work with some privacy. You might frequently have friends and family for dinner, so a dining room that seats a large number is a priority for you.
Think these priorities through, then work with your floor plans to get what you need.
4. Consider Room Sizes
Many people look at floor plans and only consider the rooms that come with them. It’s also important to consider the size of the rooms.
Sometimes, you need a bigger room. You need larger living areas if you have a family that likes to hang out as a big group.
How often do you spend time in your kitchen? When people come over, they always gather in the kitchen.
Pay attention to the size of the rooms. So they can perform for you the way you need them to.
5. Consider Kitchen Location
You can look at all types of floor plans for a custom home but always pay attention to the location of the kitchen.
There are several reasons this matters. The kitchen is often the heart of the home. Consider its location from the garage and how far you must travel from one space to another. You also need to haul groceries into the kitchen from your car.
Also, consider your kitchen’s location compared to other rooms in your house. Do you have views of different rooms from the kitchen where your kids might be?
6. Plan for Storage Needs
Every home needs storage. Every room likely needs storage.
When working on your custom house plans, consider what storage you’re building into the strategies.
What size are the closets, and are they adequate for your needs? Do you have the right amount of storage in your kitchen? Should you look for space for a pantry?
Some homebuyers get so caught up in the rooms they forget the importance of looking for places in the plans to include storage.
7. Open Floor Plan Vs. Walls
As you consider floor plan options, consider how you live and the people you live with.
Open-concept floor plans have been the rage for several years. Yet, these plans don’t always account for the size of families or how much noise they make.
Do you like the idea of rooms that are very open to each other? Would you prefer more closed rooms with entrances for privacy and notice control?
Where walls are located is a crucial consideration in planning your custom home.
8. Get What You Want Vs. What’s Expected
If you’re building a custom house, you want to end up with a home that works for you and your family and the way you live.
Too many homebuyers build houses based on how they think the house should be. They follow trends instead of their own needs.
For example, if you don’t want or need a separate dining room in your home, use the space for something else.
9. Exterior Spaces
It’s also important to think beyond your interior spaces. Outdoor living has become a priority for many homeowners, and they’re designing their homes accordingly.
Consider the traffic patterns in your home. Do they give you access to your outdoor living areas? Have you planned doors, so you can easily go in and out?
Consider your priorities for outdoor living. These spaces can have kitchens, fireplaces, and even covered TV living areas.
Create a Custom Floor Plan You’ll Love
A custom floor plan should be just that, custom so that it fits the way you’ll use your home and live your life.
If you’re considering building, take a look at our many floor plans. Contact us to learn more about our building options for your dream home.
