You're out looking for a home for your family. You find a few that grab and hook you, but unfortunately, they’re not a neat fit for your needs. This happens all the time. Matter of fact, research shows that buyers visit about 8-12 houses before settling for ‘the one.’
Luckily, many building experts today leave room for you to customise floor plans to fit your lifestyle and preferences.
These building pros allow you to make structural changes like adding extra bedrooms, expanding the kitchen, reconfiguring bathrooms, etc., to personalise the look and feel. This guide shows you how to take advantage of this and customise your floor plans to meet your family's needs.
Here's what you need to keep in mind.
1. Think Traffic Flow
Think deeply about your family's daily routine. Does the morning rush involve everyone bottlenecking in the hallway? Does the after-school shuffle create a noisy parade through the living room?
If that’s the case, consider a layout that promotes smooth movement and flow throughout the home. Think of floor plans where the kitchen opens to the family room, or consider removing walls and incorporating large archways or cased openings between common areas.
2. Zone in on Your Needs
Your family is unique, and so are their needs. That's why you should focus on what works for you and them when customising floor plans. Do movie marathons call for a dedicated media room? If yes, why not include it in your house plan? Or maybe you need a home office for remote work purposes. Factor that in, too. Make sure to analyse your must-have spaces and adjust the plan accordingly.
3. Go for Multi-Functional Spaces
Too many needs but not enough room? Why not go for those that adapt as your needs change over time? That guest room in the corner can double as a home gym or office with a Murphy bed. If it meets your fancy, you can also convert a formal dining room into a homework station or craft space with a fold-away table.
Having flexible spaces allows you to maximise your square footage as your family's activities and priorities shift.
4. Accommodate Shared and Separate Spaces
There will be moments when family time is everything. But also, there will come a time when everyone wants a little ‘me time.’ You need to plan for both when customising your floor plan.
That said, consider putting in place quiet nooks to get away from all the action. Also, consider making room for spaces for adults and zones where kids can have all the fun uninterrupted. You can consider adding in pocket doors for flexibility, as they allow you to close off these spaces when you need peace and separation.
All these elements can allow a single area to toggle between different functions as your needs come and go.
5. Bring Nature In
If your family loves experiencing the great outdoors, you'd do good to bring a taste of nature right inside. That means looking at floor plans that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living areas.
One way to do this is to go for elements like walls of sliding glass doors or screened-in porches. You can also make do with strategically placed windows, skylights and even solar tubes. These elements can usher in an abundance of natural illumination and add to the looks.
6. Plan For The Future
As you're customising your floor plan, take a step back and think about how your needs could change down the road. If you see kids or grandkids on the horizon, leave room for additional bedrooms or convertible spaces that could become nurseries or playrooms.
If you're looking at empty nests later, you may want a suite that can house aging parents down the line. As data shows, 88% of adults aged 50 to 80 want to remain home for as long as possible. That’s why you should consider elements such as a sunroom to comfortably grow old in or roughing in bathroom plumbing for future additions.
Getting such a plan now can mean designing a space that can adapt seamlessly as your family dynamics shift.
In Closing
Laying the plan for the home of your dreams may not be a simple undertaking. But when you've got us in your corner, you can get there sooner and better.
So, don't get stuck in a rut with plans that do not suit you. Come with what you consider your dream plan and we'll help you get your dream house up. So, wait no more. Reach out to us, and together, we'll help you get a plan that works for you and your family.