8 Floor Plan Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Studying printed floor plans and touring both model and pre-existing homes helps you identify floor plan features that fit your lifestyle. Until you are living in a home, however, you may not recognize which elements of the plan are not as functional as you would like them to be. While no single floor plan works for everyone, we have learned what mistakes to avoid. When choosing a house plan, keep the following considerations in mind.

1. The plan doesn’t fit your lifestyle.

How large is your family? What are the ages and needs of your family members? Where does everyone like to congregate? Do you like to entertain? How often do you have overnight guests? Do you see yourself staying in this home as your family grows, and/or as you age? Do you need dedicated spaces for hobbies or work? How much storage space do you require? Will you need to accommodate an additional family member (e.g. grandparents) at some point? Consider all of these factors in relation to the layout of bedrooms, bathrooms, stairs, and the allocation of square footage in the home.

2. The plan costs more than your budget.

Don’t get oversold on amenities. As finances allow, you can always add improvements later. After you’ve spent some time living in the home you’ll have a better idea of what’s really important to you, rather than automatically splurging on additions or features you might not end up needing or wanting. Keeping home costs in line with your current finances will prevent stress and uncertainty, and will make living in your home a more pleasant experience.

3. The rooms are not big enough for your needs.

Don’t assume the dimensions of the rooms will work for you. Accurately measure your furniture and include enough space to comfortably walk around it. Remember that you may add additional furnishings at some point, so leave some breathing room to accommodate growth.

4. The design process didn’t include sufficient research and planning.

Allow your creativity and enthusiasm to motivate you in the design process, but resist the temptation to dive into construction as soon as you find what you believe is the ideal floor plan. Taking the time at the pre-construction stage to thoroughly research all the aspects of the design will pay off in the long run. Identify which areas are worth spending more money on, and where you can cut back. Getting every detail 100% right is not a realistic expectation, but making thoughtful, informed choices will get you pretty close.

5. The design does not incorporate green features.

Green building (aka sustainable building) influences all aspects of the construction process, from building practices to materials used to energy-saving design. Green features lower building costs through more effective use of resources, as well as impact the eventual costs associated with the home’s operation. Incorporating natural light, taking advantage of passive solar benefits, installing high-efficiency appliances including heating and cooling systems, etc., can save thousands of dollars over the life of your home. Green features also add to the value of your home if and when you’re ready to sell.

6. Certain architectural features have hidden costs.

Features such as floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights look beautiful –on paper and in person–but be mindful that they can have a substantially negative impact on the energy-efficiency of a home, as they cause both heating and cooling it to be more expensive.

7. The interior layout doesn’t work well in your location.

A great floor plan on paper may not work with your lot or the surrounding terrain. A great view window may be on the wrong end of the house, or the bedrooms may be too close to the busy street. Be sure to take into account how the interior layout works on your building site.

8. The design doesn’t accommodate entertaining and guests.

Are you the go-to host for big family dinners, backyard barbecues or business cocktail parties? Be sure your new location can comfortably handle a crowd. If out-of-town guests often stay overnight, plan for extra sleeping quarters and bathroom access.

From start to finish, Sheffield Homes makes sure your custom home project goes smoothly. If you are looking for a home builder in the Denver metro area or northern Colorado, contact us today!