Choosing the Right Floor Plan Features
What do you want in your next home? Today’s new construction homes offer so many options that it can be confusing. For help with choosing the right floor plan features, Alvarez Construction Company has some advice.
Live for today…and tomorrow
According to a study by the National Association of Realtors, today’s homebuyers expect to live in their home for about 15 years; 19 percent said they’re never planning to move. From 15 years to forever is a long time. So, when reviewing floor plans for your future home, think ahead. How will your life change in the years ahead?
Maybe you’re hoping to expand your family. You might want a nursery that’s close to the master suite, rather than on the other side of the home.
Do you expect to have older family members live with you? Multi-generational households are growing, as aging parents move in and adult children stay home longer to save money. If this scenario seems possible for you, plan now to avoid renovations later. A home with a first-floor master suite is helpful for adults who have difficulty with stairs. A bonus suite is another way to accommodate the lifestyle needs of another adult living in your home. With two suites, you can have your own master suite and give them one of their own.
While you’re thinking ahead, consider the flow and accessibility of your next home. You never know what’s coming. Someone in your home might be wheelchair-bound, either temporarily or permanently. An open floor plan and wider doorways provide the right size for this living situation.
Combine business and pleasure
A home office has become a mainstay in many homes today. People who like to work remotely on occasion or full-time from home need a designated space to separate the work and home life. As you’re browsing new homes and floor plans, think ahead to what your needs could be in the coming years. Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit that might drive you (or a family member) to launch a business? Are you in a situation that could potentially transition to working more hours from home?
A home office should be in a location in your home that offers privacy. If you plan to welcome clients and business visitors, a flex room by the front entry makes it easier to guide them directly to your office. Also consider whether you want a bathroom or storage space near your office space.
A home office also brings the benefit of tax deductions, providing the office is used strictly as a workspace. A guest bedroom with a computer and desk doesn’t qualify, so keep that in mind when making your choice.
Don’t forget the extras.
Look at your current home and make a list of what you love and what would give you more of the features you need. More closets? A walk-in pantry? A tub in the master bath? A fireplace? A powder room might be a convenient space to include, too.
Before you start looking at floor plans, be clear about the features that matter most to you!
The Goldilocks effect
Whether you’re upsizing or downsizing your life, decide on the home that presents the perfect fit. Do you want less square footage to take care of or more space to accommodate your growing family?
You might have a strong preference about the location of the laundry room—next to the kitchen or closer to the master suite. A mudroom could be a great addition to your home, adding the all-important “drop zone” that keeps life (somewhat) organized. Or maybe you don’t need a formal living room or dining room.
Alvarez Construction Company builds communities of single-family homes in Baton Rouge and the surrounding cities and towns, like Denham Springs, Praririeville, and Madisonville. With dozens of floor plans to choose from—ranging from 1,600 to more than 2,500 square feet of indoor living space, and all single-level home designs—we can help you choose the one that is ideally suited to your life—now and in the future. Contact Matthew to get started on finding the perfect floor plan!
