When creating your dream home, it’s natural to want to get the design perfect from the get-go. That’s why it’s so important to do your research and really consider how you’re going to use your home, now and in the future.
Families grow and change. What children need when they are young isn’t necessarily what a teenager wants. Further, as your kids grow up and leave the nest, there are certain elements you may no longer need. That’s why finding a flexible home plan may be the best solution for you. One that adapts to your needs as your family unit changes and develops.
Tips on choosing the right floor plan
There are some things you need to consider right at the start.
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- Your family unit – the number of rooms you require will largely depend on who will be living in the home. Many families are now living intergenerationally, meaning there are different requirements for different ages. The number of children you have and their ages is also relevant. For example, if you have three kids and you don’t want any of them to share a room, well you’ll need at least a four-bedroom home. The number of living areas will also largely depend on the family unit and how old your kids are. Do you need a teenage retreat or a separate play area for young kids, or can these all be enjoyed in one open-plan space?
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- Your lifestyle – again, this will depend on your family unit but the way you use your space will determine what kind of floor plan you ultimately decide upon. For example, how much outdoor living space do you want and how often will you use it? Will you require an open-plan living and dining space or do you want a formal dining area? How much entertaining do you plan to do? These are questions you need to ask yourself before you make the choice of floor plan.
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- Your necessities – make a wish list of exactly what needs to be included and what you’d like to be included. Understanding how you’ll use the home and then ensuring those spaces are most definitely accommodated in the floor plan will help determine what you need and where. Then prioritise what it is in the ‘wish list’ you can afford.
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- The future – ask yourself this: will the home be big enough or too big in 10 years? As your stages of life change, kids arrive, grow up and then move out, your home will either start to feel too cramped or too big. Unless, of course, you choose a home plan that will adapt as you need. For example, a playroom may become a teenage retreat and then following that, a dedicated television area, or turned completely into a spare bedroom for visiting guests.
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- Size and orientation of the rooms – the size of each room is crucial and will largely depend on how you’re going to use them. The most important thing to think about is whether you want big bedrooms or a big entertaining area. If you use bedrooms as a study as well or include a reading area or living area in the bedroom, then having one on the larger side may be better. However, if you’re only using the bedroom to sleep, then utilising the extra space elsewhere is probably a more desirable option. It’s also important to consider the orientation of each room, especially regarding the sun and outlook. For example, many people will want living and entertaining areas to flow onto an outdoor space and if you have views, really think about which rooms you want to take in these views. Orientation is also about privacy – do you really want your neighbours to be able to look right into your bedroom?
- How many storeys – for many families, the ability to have bedrooms on one level and entertaining on another is desirable. But the question is, do you want two storeys or three? Again, it will come down to how you plan to use the home and how you want to split the areas. For some, having a rumpus area for kids to escape to on a completely different level is an excellent option. For others, having a master suite level sounds like a dream.
House Plans
1. Ballarat
The Ballarat ensures parents have a retreat at the front of the house while kids have a dedicated space at the back. There’s also a home theatre option which can be utilised for different types of rooms as the kids grow up – from a playroom to teenage retreat and then to your personalised movie area when the kids eventually leave.
2. Bunker Bay
This one features five bedrooms giving you a bit more flexibility. Turn one into a home office or spare room for guests. The floor plan also has a study nook, home theatre and games room giving you loads of flexibility and adapting to your needs as they change.
3. Giorgio
On the more luxury end, the Giorgio offers five bedrooms, a butler’s pantry, master suite with retreat, home theatre and alfresco area. The floor plan provides separate areas for kids and parents, and a large open-plan living-dining area with plenty of space for a large, growing family.
4. Unity
Designed especially for multi-generational families, the Unity offers separate living quarters for long-term and short-term guests with a lounge and bedroom including walk-in-robe and ensuite. There’s also plenty of space for the family to gather together.
5. Hudson
Looking for a house plan that keeps the kids completely separate? The Hudson features a master suite and living area upstairs with the kids’ bedrooms downstairs, meaning you have somewhere to escape to when you need. The design also features a home theatre that can be used as any kind of room needed.
What now?
Choosing a house plan can seem daunting. But if you prioritise what you need and consider what you want, things do become clearer and making a decision becomes easier. There are plenty of house designs to choose from, it’s just about figuring out which one works best for you and your family.
