The floor plan is a blank canvas just waiting to be filled with the ideas that will turn a house into a home. It is also the one thing that is most difficult to modify, should you change your mind or your lifestyle. So before you sit down at the drawing board, here are some of the questions you need to ask yourself.
What is your budget?
When designing your perfect home, it’s best to make sure that you and your budget are on the same page. Think about whether you’re prepared to take out a construction loan, or whether you’re willing to make the changes and improvements to your home over an extended period of time. Also, have a look through the furniture and appliances you already own and plan around what you’re going to keep, and what you will replace.
How much space do you have?
Space is of the essence when designing a floor plan, and while it’s possible to break a wall and build an additional room, there’s only so much you can physically expand into. If space does not allow for it, you might have to skip a sunroom and designate the space for a bedroom or bathroom instead. Closets and pantries are also difficult to repurpose, while an open style kitchen and living room might also cause issues if you’re thinking of repartitioning.
What does your home currently need?
If you’re not sure where to begin when designing your floor plan, perhaps it’s best to start from what you already have and see how it can be improved. Does your current house need a larger kitchen or a designated space for home entertainment? Do you prefer the airy layout of an open style house, or are you drawn towards a more intimate space? Are you thinking of downsizing, or do you plan to expand to accommodate kids, and maybe live-in relatives? Think about all the ways your current home can be made better, and plan around them.
What are the amenities you can’t live without?
Your lifestyle and amenities that are found in a home are closely linked together. For example, if you’re someone who enjoys cooking, you may want to make sure that your kitchen is up to scratch with more than a stove, fridge, and a sink. Families with kids will definitely need more than one bathroom, and a backyard won’t hurt either. If you live somewhere hot and humid, an HVAC system is a must, and if you have to commute to work, you will need to allocate space for a garage. Some amenities are a matter of choice, such as solar panels or floor heating, yet it’s best to ask yourself beforehand if you can see yourself living without them.
What will be your functional spaces?
Even if you’re the type of person who doesn’t spend a lot of time at home, you need to designate the space around you so that it’s both pleasing to the eye, as well as functional. The kitchen is perhaps the most important functional space in your home, so you can start your planning there. The bathroom layout also matters, depending on whether you prefer a walk-in shower or a bathtub. You might also consider designating a space as your laundry room, walk-in closet, and even just storage.
What are the particularities of your lifestyle?
If you enjoy outdoor activities, you might need a mudroom. Having friends over could require an open style kitchen and even an entertainment room. If you’re working from home, you will need to designate a room as your office. Or perhaps you have a hobby, like gardening, that requires a lot of space. Home decor magazines and online articles can help you visualize the way your house could look, but you need to make sure that the result will be something that suits you, rather than being a picture-perfect catalog sample.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
Ultimately, the main question to ask is whether you see yourself living in the same home for many years down the line. Ask yourself if you’re likely to relocate because of work, or if you plan on having a large family to grow old with. Also, think about the way you’ll relate to your amenities in the future. A staircase can make a stylish addition to your home, yet you might end up dreading it if you have to climb to get to the bedroom in your 70s. Or you might find that your walk-in closet would have worked better as a bathroom instead. Keep all these aspects in mind when designing your floor plan, to ensure that you’ll get the most enjoyment out of your home for many decades to come
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