4 Floor Plan Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Whether you are building or buying your dream home, choosing a suitable floor plan will save you much stress in the future. Besides, faulty floor plans aren’t easy to rectify. Renovations can be costly. Objectively speaking, there is no such thing as a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ floor plan – the best floor plan is one that suits your lifestyle. Here are some essential tips to consider when choosing a floor plan for your new home:

Consider The Future Energy Bills

You may have settled for a perfect floor plan with ideal space, ceiling height, window size and placement, and unique architectural features. One thing you may have overlooked is the impact these features will have on your energy bill every month. Some floor plan features will cause you to spend more money in the future on heating, cooling, and other hidden energy costs. If you are building your own home, brainstorm with your architect or builder on ways to maintain your ideal floor plan but lower the energy costs. For example, a large skylight looks magnificent, especially in the morning when the sun rays fall in every corner of the house. However, large skylights tend to cause the heating and cooling bills to become significantly higher. Your builder may recommend adding solar tubes to fix this problem.

Ensure The Kids’ Safety

If you have a big family, especially with small children, go for a floor plan with modest and safe features. Some floor plans may look ideal for you and your partner, but consider how dangerous it can become for small kids. Pediatric experts say it’s common sense to childproof your house if you have kids. Your builder can modify many house features through childproofing strategies, but some can’t be modified to become any safer. Another thing to think about is a floor plan that will grow as the kids grow. Don’t make the mistake of choosing a floor plan that can only fit a crib or a mini bed. Go for an adult-sized bedroom that your child can grow with, removing the need for future renovations, which will be expensive. Also, if you and the kids take part in many outdoor activities, consider getting a building plan with adequate lawn space. Just remember to add childproof gates and safe fencing.

Involve Your Family

Don’t make the mistake of choosing the floor plan all by yourself. There are some critical aspects that you may miss. Give your entire family a chance to weigh in on this important decision. Besides, it will affect all of them. If you visit a physical home model, tag them along and see their reactions. Get an idea of what they like and what they don’t like. For example, your partner may not like the idea of having three flights of stairs because they have back problems. You might not have taken this point into serious consideration if you were alone. If your family members can’t tag along with you to the house viewing, consider asking a friend to go with you. They can save you from mistakes that could have cost you a lot in the future. For instance, your friend may notice a dead space you would have otherwise missed.

Keep the Furniture in Mind

Modern houses with open spaces are perfect for someone who wants to keep an eye on the kids while still going about their business. If you are planning to build a modern house with an open space layout, think about the size of your furniture. Avoid the mistake of choosing a floor plan that is too big or too small for your existing furniture. Everything should match well with the available space. You don’t want to get rid of some furniture because they don’t fit the available space. You also don’t want a vast gaping space to fill, forcing you to buy more furniture. Measure all your furniture beforehand and give the details to your architect or builder. Also, consider working with a company that specializes in modern home plans so they can help you choose the plan that best suits your budget and lifestyle. Faulty floor plans are not easy to rectify. It would be best to do thorough research before settling for a floor plan for your new home. Involve the rest of the family in this decision so that the floor plan you choose can cater to everyone’s needs.