{"id":8290,"date":"2024-08-29T15:21:17","date_gmt":"2024-08-29T20:21:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/?p=8290"},"modified":"2025-01-23T14:11:38","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T19:11:38","slug":"nine-things-to-consider-before-choosing-a-house-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/nine-things-to-consider-before-choosing-a-house-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Nine Things to Consider Before Choosing a House Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Modern<\/a>
Modern Farmhouse Plan, 034H-0498<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Building a new home is an exciting adventure! As you look forward to moving in and making it your own, it is important to ensure that your new home meets all your needs and expectations. To avoid ending up with a house that falls short or lacks essential features, take a moment to think about these key factors before selecting your house plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Building Site Considerations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have already secured a lot, its characteristics will play a big role in choosing the right house plan. For example, if your lot is small and slopes, you might need a plan with a drive-under garage. On the other hand, a larger lot might be perfect for a sprawling ranch. Understanding the features of your site helps ensure that the house plan fits well and makes the most of the land you have.
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2. House Foundation Type<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The foundation you choose can impact both the design and functionality of your home. Coastal areas may require piers or piling foundations to handle rising tides, while other locations might suit basements, crawl spaces, or slab foundations. If your lot allows for a basement, think about the extra storage and potential for future living space it provides. For sloped lots, a walkout basement can offer convenient access to the outdoors and additional versatility.
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3. Architectural Style<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your home\u2019s architectural style<\/a> should reflect your personal taste while blending well with your neighborhood. Consider whether the style you choose will maintain its value over time and if it complements your existing furniture and decorating preferences. A home that matches both your style and the local aesthetic is a great way to ensure long-term satisfaction.
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4. Number of Floors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Deciding on the number of levels often comes down to personal preference. Some people enjoy having all common areas on the main floor and bedrooms upstairs for privacy. Others might prefer single-story living to avoid stairs, which can be beneficial for aging in place. Two-story homes<\/a> can offer more space at a lower cost compared to single-story designs, but single-story homes<\/a> provide ease of access and convenience.
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5. Bedroom Needs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Think about your current and future family size when selecting a house plan. Do you anticipate needing extra bedrooms for children, guests, or aging relatives? Consider whether you want a luxurious master suite with all the amenities or something simpler. The layout of bedrooms is also important\u2014do you prefer a split-bedroom design, or would you like all bedrooms grouped together for easy access?
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6. Bathroom Layout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The number and arrangement of bathrooms should align with your family\u2019s needs. In a two-story home<\/a>, you might need a half bath on the main floor and a full bath upstairs. Private master baths are common with new construction. What features and amenities will satisfy your needs and wants? Think about whether secondary bedrooms will share a hall bath and if you need special features like dual sinks or a private bath for guests<\/a>. For homes with basements, consider whether you want a full bath downstairs or if it can be added later.
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7. Floor Plan Functionality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When evaluating floor plans, think about how the layout supports your daily life. Does it provide a smooth flow from one area to another? For example, having the dining room close to the kitchen can make serving meals easier, and placing the garage entrance near the kitchen simplifies unloading groceries. Check if the room sizes and arrangements work with your current furniture and lifestyle.
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8. Kitchen Layout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, so choose a plan with a layout that suits your cooking and entertaining needs. Look for features like ample counter space, plenty of storage, and room for family gatherings. If space allows, discuss potential enhancements with your builder to ensure the kitchen is as functional and inviting as you envision.
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9. Special Rooms and Features<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Think about any additional rooms or features that would enhance your living experience. Make a list of what you need and want, such as a dedicated laundry room<\/a>, a home office<\/a>, or a playroom. Prioritize these needs and be willing to make compromises on less critical aspects to stay within budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considering these factors will help you choose a house plan that fits your family\u2019s needs and lifestyle. Use our home plan search<\/a> feature to narrow down the selection of plans to those that fit your criteria.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Before choosing a house plan, it is necessary to consider some key points about the type of home you want or need. We\u2019ve described nine important elements for you to think about before you begin browsing our house plan collection. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8241,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-house-plan-information"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8290","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8290"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8290\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8361,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8290\/revisions\/8361"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8290"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseplanshop.com\/house-plan-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}