With over 40 million Americans moving each year, you’re not alone if you’re thinking about switching homes. And if you’re ready to build a custom home, you owe it to yourself to familiarize yourself with the options before breaking ground. After all, you want to design a home that’s the perfect blend of functionality and beauty.
Ready to get moving? Stick around to learn about the different types of floor plans to consider for your custom home!
Open Concept Floor Plan
One of the most popular types of floor plans, the open concept plan creates a spacious and comfortable vibe. You won’t see as many walls partitioning spaces. Instead, one room will flow into the next to create a big and continuous space.
Turn to this floor plan if you love to entertain. Guests can move freely during dinner parties, making mingling a breeze. Design a large custom island for your kitchen and provide easy access to the patio for the perfect set-up.
An open concept plan also offers a great opportunity to show off custom home floors. Go with maple floors to add a light and airy quality to your space. Or create a luxurious vibe with a wide expanse of American walnut floors.
You’ll maintain a high home value if you opt for an open concept plan. Buyers are always interested in homes equipped for hosting parties. Plus an open concept plan enables atmospheric use of lighting schemes to enhance the home’s overall feel.
Just keep in mind that homes with an open floor plan aren’t exactly known for their privacy. If you’re hoping to provide some separation from the kids or contain the noise in certain parts of the home, you might want to choose another plan.
Multi-Level
In a split-level or multi-level home, you won’t have one floor or a standard approach to two floors. Instead, you’ll have multiple levels that connect together with short sets of steps. The floors are staggered in these houses, creating a layered look where some parts of the living space sit above a garage.
While a front door leads directly to the first-floor space in most homes, that’s not the case with a multi-level home. When you open the door, you’ll have a small entryway and the option to walk up steps or down steps. Some multi-levels may have four different levels plus a basement.
While multi-level homes were popular in the 1960s because they can fit in modest lot sizes, their popularity has waned. With some fresh design ideas and interior finishes, however, anyone can make this home floor plan fashionable.
Ranch-Style Floor Plan
If you’re hoping for a home floor plan that won’t require you to deal with climbing steps, you can’t go wrong with a ranch-style plan. These single-story homes can offer compact or sprawling floor plans to suit any budget or needs. Best of all, ranch floor plans make it easy to separate bedrooms from the rest of the house.
When you’re looking for a home where you can coast into retirement, a ranch makes a lot of sense. As you age, you won’t want to deal with flights of stairs. Plus you won’t have to worry about reaching high gutters outside or carrying laundry up and down steps each week.
Ranch-style homes don’t waste square footage on staircases, either. And you can make the floor plan as walled or open as you want. Include some bay windows or a wide patio to make your ranch home a perfect paradise!
Two-Story Traditional
When it comes to custom home ideas, sometimes the traditional styles are best. A two-story standard floor plan works well if you’re looking for a classic layout that can accommodate multiple bedrooms and offer ample space. This classic settle dates back to the 19th century, and its functionality never has gone out of style.
These homes will have two complete floors. You can expect a center hallway when you open the front door. A flight of stairs will lead to the second floor, and you can add a dramatic light fixture to illuminate the entrway.
The center hallway may lead to an office or parlor on either side, with a kitchen in the rear. Most two-story homes will have an attic space and a basement, as well.
Typically, you’ll place the master bedroom on the second floor with some separation from other bedrooms on the floor. If you’re concerned about bathroom access, the good news is that most two-story homes feature a bathroom on each floor.
Enhance this iconic home with a back patio and grand double-hung windows to let in plenty of light. Although the traditional two-story floor plan may feel too partitioned for some, it offers efficient use of space and strong resale value.
Story and a Half
Another popular home style is the 1.5-story home. With this plan, you’ll have a partial second floor that won’t cover the entire first floor. This translates into a floor plan with the convenience of second-floor access without as much cost.
Vaulted ceilings and the potential for a second-floor balcony make the 1.5-story home an appealing option. Even though you won’t have a full second floor, you’ll have ample space to carve up as you prefer.
For instance, some 1.5-story homes devote the entire upper floor to a master bedroom or family room. Others may place a master on the first floor and put the smaller bedrooms upstairs. You can do your primary living on the first floor and reserve the upper level for a studio or overnight bonus room for the grandkids.
And anything from a modern to a traditional bungalow-style home may incorporate the 1.5-story floor plan. You’ll enjoy the flexibility that the space on the upper floor affords. And you’ll still have two levels to play around with when you’re designing the exterior and mapping out windows for your new home.
Reverse Home Floor Plan
Do you have waterfront property or an otherwise spectacular view from your lot? When you want to maximize the appeal of your location, consider going with a reverse home floor plan. As the name implies, you’ll be creating a home that flips the standard approach to floor plans.
Rather than putting the main living area and kitchen on the lower level, you’ll place them on the top level. Why do this? You’ll be able to see those views of the lakeshore while you’re searing salmon or enjoying a conversation over dinner.
You’ll also get access to more natural light when you’re in these primary living spaces. As another benefit, you’ll be able to eat dinner or watch television in your common areas without being on display. Having an elevated main living area gives you added privacy, especially at night.
When you’re designing a house with a reverse plan, look into the possibility of adding a rooftop deck. Your kitchen will be mere steps away on the top floor. And you’ll love having an outdoor space where you can take in a 360-degree view of the scenery.
Victorian Style
Are you looking for custom home ideas that are unique and historic? Consider giving a Victorian floor plan a try. If you love the whimsical look of turrets and don’t mind a home with a narrow footprint, a Victorian might be the right answer to your floor plan needs.
These homes became popular in the late 19th century and can be found in towns across America. And while the original homes are still standing, there’s no reason why you can’t design an updated version.
You can build a home floor plan that takes cues from the partitioned spaces and unique woodworking. Choose this style if you’re hoping to display Persian rugs or antiques, for instance.
Further, Victorians are a unique choice when designing a house because of their architectural details. Gabled roofs, bold colors, and a variety of windows are just some of the features that lend charm to this style of home.
And if you’re looking for a home with ample storage space and height, a Victorian will have it. Many floor plans have a third-story or attic space where you can tuck just about anything.
Explore Different Types of Floor Plans
Taking time to explore different types of floor plans is a critical step when designing a house. Consider how many stories you want your home to have, as well as how open or contained you want the spaces in your home to be. Then work with a talented design team to ensure that your custom home reflects the convenience and aesthetic appeal you desire.
When you’re ready to design the home of your dreams, contact us and we can help bring it to life!