By Jack Bloodgood
There is nothing more rewarding than creating the home of your family's dreams. You'll have developed a special place for your family, a refuge that reflects your character.
The prospect of finding just the right plan for your family's new home and then seeing the plan through the building process can, at first, seem like a daunting project. If you can organize your project around the stages listed here, however, you can turn your dream home into reality fairly easily.
Varied ceiling heights and a unique curved wall give definition to the different gathering spots in this casual family area, while the design maintains a roomy, open feel.How to organize your home plan selection process: 1. Make a list of what you and your family want in your home, noting the relationship of rooms, special activity areas and expandable spaces to accommodate possible needs in the future. 2. Choose the exterior you like best, be it contemporary or one of the many varieties of traditional American or new European styles. Clip photos from newspapers and magazines that indicate your favorite looks. 3. Keep in mind your space needs and style preferences. Start looking through the numerous home plans catalogs available today. As you find homes that meet your criteria, mark them and put them into a collection. As you find a group of houses that comes close to your dream list, see if the floor plan you like best can be combined with the exterior styling you prefer. 4. Contact your home plans supplier. Most top home plans sources can assist in customizing your plans, or even suggest alternative plans that may more closely fit with your needs. 5. Consider how the plan you have picked will fit your site, if you already have one. If you are still shopping for a site, make sure that it will accommodate the plan you selected. Check with your building department to learn about zoning requirements. Your plan may need to meet setback requirements and height restrictions. 6. Select a builder, if you do not already have one, and meet with him or her to review your plan. Your builder can give you a fairly good idea as to whether the home plan you selected is appropriate for your site and budget. Once you order the blueprints, you will want to do a more detailed evaluation with your builder to more precisely determine the home's suitability and target cost. By following these starting steps, you can be assured that the home you have selected will be the most satisfying and rewarding investment you will make for your family. |
The most important decision you'll make is choosing the right plan for your dream home. Remember that you are the expert about your family's needs and wants. The home you grew up in, and the living experiences you have had so far, give you a strong background to draw from when you decide what you like best.
Some basic considerations include whether you and your family lead a more formal or informal lifestyle, and whether you want the bedrooms grouped together for access to young children or spread apart for greater privacy.
Also, make a list of your fundamental needs and your most longed-for wants. List rooms that you've dreamed of, rooms you need now and rooms that you may need in the future as your family either grows or shrinks as children leave home. Consider a plan with flexible rooms that can be used for different purposes as your family's needs evolve.
No matter what your specific requirements, the home's size or the character you prefer, we believe that the basic planning concepts mentioned above should be included in any new home you consider. As you review the considerations listed below, see how they will work for your family's needs and wishes, and compare your home plan selections to these criteria.
Once you define the parameters, start your search. The most obvious place to begin is the home's exterior. The exterior style you select sets your home's character. While the floor plan needs to perform well, the exterior sets the stage.
You may prefer a more formal, traditional style; a relaxed country character; an exciting contemporary home; or one that borrows elements from a number of styles to create a completely new look.
Specific materials and finish colors can also make a substantial difference in the look and feel of your home. Add hand-split roof shakes to create a rough-hewn country character; add double-hung, divided-light sash windows to create a more traditional look. Select masonry or masonry accents for a more substantial look, or neutral color tones for the siding and trim for a more unified character.
If you plan to make changes to the floor plan that will affect the home's window placement or change the proportions, be sure to make these modifications in a way that will preserve the character and detail that attracted you to the home in the first place. A top home plans supplier can make these changes for you to assure compliance with the original design intent.
As you picture your new home, be sure to consider the surroundings and the neighbors' homes. While you won't be building a duplicate of their homes, you will want to select a compatible size, style and site to make your house feel "at home." If your property is large or wooded, you can go with a more unique look without standing out like a sore thumb.
Another important decision will be whether you want a two-story, a ranch or a split-level. One of today's most popular styles is a traditional two-story with the master suite on the main floor. This plan suits people who cannot or do not want to climb stairs, or those who just want some added privacy. Many couples prefer a main-floor master suite that can accommodate a home office or computer center.
No matter which floor plan you choose, stay relatively flexible when you see a house that attracts you, but may not have everything you have pre-determined as a "must." In many cases, those extra features can be added to the plan.
Next, consider what designers call the zoning of the home. The placement of the three basic areas of the house--the formal living areas, the more active family spaces and the sleeping quarters--will determine the flow of your family's activities in the home. Try to envision your family's living patterns as you evaluate a plan. Do you prefer a family entrance through the garage? Where do you gather for everyday meals, TV watching and casual entertaining? What types of settings do you need for family interaction and privacy?
As you walk through home plans, also take into consideration the accommodations you will need for space-eating materials like your household cleaning equipment, hobby materials and exercise equipment.
Once you figure out the fundamental characteristics like the exterior style and the number of stories, spend some time on the special details that will add character to your home. A little extra attention spent on the ceilings can add a great deal of style and spirit to your home. Ceiling treatments are also a creative way to define unique rooms throughout your home.
Ten to twelve-foot flat ceilings are very popular, as are vaulted ceilings that soar to an exciting peak, or tray ceilings that add definition to a room. The first place you may want to open up is the family room, where you will no doubt spend much of your time. A dramatic high ceiling in the foyer will wow first-time visitors, while a stylish tray or vault in the master suite spices up this special room.
Most of us recognize that a degree of openness between rooms helps expand space visually and allows the living areas to borrow space and light from each other. The "through views" of the home can also make a big difference in how your home feels--boxy and segregated, or open and flowing.
Hallways are turning into half-walled galleries rather than dark, walled-off traffic areas. Nowadays, we really live and usually entertain in our family rooms and everyday areas, so there's no need to close them off from view.
During the planning stages, take a look outside the home also. Indoor/outdoor orientation is a lifestyle quality most of us want to emphasize today. Not only are we integrating our interior lifestyle with outdoor activities like vegetable gardening and healthy barbecues, but we also want to view and enjoy our private outdoor environments from as many rooms as possible. You'll want to consider sunrooms or screened porches you can build now or add in the future. Storage has assumed new importance, too, as we accumulate so many specialized items in our fast-paced lifestyles. The largest coat closets need to be near the everyday family entrance, not the front door.
Children need a place for their computer equipment, and parents need closet space for their business and casual clothing. It is beneficial to take a foot or two off a room's dimensions to add more closets throughout the home.
These elements may seem staggering, but, armed with your personal list of what is most important to you and your family, you can rate how well a home plan will complement your lifestyle. Select a dozen or so plans and then start narrowing down your choices. As you weigh what is really important against what you would have wanted if budget and lot size were no object, you can refine your selections to the homes that best suit you, your family, your budget, your site and your neighborhood.
Building a new home is one of the most significant and enjoyable investments you can make. Take the time to enjoy the planning process, as well as the end results.
Content provided by HomeStyles.com
.
Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted to our
"