How to choose the best floor plan?
The floor plan should be designed to meet your needs and those of your family. First of all, it should have a suitable surface, not too much, so that you do not have too much unused space and higher maintenance costs, and not too small, so that you have privacy and space for all family activities. as well as entertainment.
Here are things to look for when designing your floor plan:
o The garage should be close to the kitchen, preferably next to it, so that you have easy access to the refrigerator or pantry while you take your groceries home. It also makes your job much easier for garbage removal.
o Building a two-story home usually costs less than a one-story home.
o When you decide to build a bedroom over the garage, prepare to live with the noise caused by opening and closing garage doors.
o You need enough space for storage. Most builders don’t pay much attention to this point, however most homeowners complain that they don’t have enough storage space. You need to make sure there are plenty of wardrobes in the bedrooms, large enough pantry cupboard, and cupboards for towels and coats, next to the main entrance door.
o Plan your traffic patterns in advance. Watch where you spend most of your time and plan accordingly. Try to avoid putting obstacles or gates in the way of the main traffic routes.
o Consider the proper room layout for noise. You don’t want to have a library or bedroom next to a game room or near the area where the TV or stereo unit is located.
o Place the dining room next to the kitchen to avoid unnecessary steps while serving meals to your guests or family members.
o Include at least a half bathroom on the first floor when planning a two-story home.
o I often see bathrooms next to the kitchen in older homes. This is definitely a bad combination and something to avoid at all costs.
o The walk-in pantry is a good selling point these days, but make sure it makes sense in your situation. Regular cabinets are usually cheaper and offer more storage space.
o Plan carefully where to put the washer and dryer. It is a good idea to have them on the second floor, next to the master bedroom, to avoid walking up and down stairs with clothes. However, be aware of the noise. Also calculate additional plumbing costs. If it all makes sense, go ahead and do it.
o Certain areas of the house, such as bedrooms and the library, should be isolated from sound as much as possible. You can achieve this by organizing your floor plan properly, as well as adding extra insulation to the walls or floors and installing solid core doors with better soundproofing qualities.
o High ceilings are very fashionable today but you have to decide for yourself if they fit both: your budget and your tastes. High ceilings take away living space. The same space could be used for an additional bedroom. You have to decide whether you are looking for aesthetics or practicality.
o Do you want a basement or can you live without it? Adding a full basement is expensive, but you should be able to recoup the cost at the time of sale, especially if your home is in the basement housing area.