You’ve made the decision to build a new home. You might even have an idea of what you want it to look like. Then you start browsing floor plans and your ideas have become clouded. Maybe you hadn’t considered a first-floor owner’s suite—or even two suites—or a second-floor laundry. Possibly, you hadn’t considered the placement of the master suite in relation to the other bedrooms. And you were certain you wanted three full baths, but maybe opting for 2.5 baths is actually the right decision. As a homebuilder, Beacon Homes works with many homebuyers who come to us with questions on how to choose the perfect floor plan for their new construction home.
Think Space Before Size
You might have a figure in mind for the total square footage of your home, but it’s more important to determine your living space needs than the size at this point. For starters, how many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? What’s a comfortable size for each room?
Think about your lifestyle. If you like casual dining, you should incorporate a kitchen island with a breakfast bar that can seat the right number of people. A center island kitchen is a popular design because it presents more workspace, storage, and easy flow. This design also accommodates multiple people who want to linger in the “food room”.
Do you like to entertain? If so, would you rely mostly on the main living area, like an open concept or do you need a formal dining room?
If you need a home office, what’s the ideal placement of this space. For example, do you want your home office near the front door or would a second-floor bonus suite give you the space and privacy you want?
How old are your children? Teens like to have a gathering space away from the adults, so you might consider a bonus room as a valuable investment—for their enjoyment and your sanity!
Assess your storage needs. Do you need closets throughout your home, like the hallway, bathrooms and garage? Do you want your laundry room to include storage as well?
One Level or Two?
The single-level home is ideal for people who’d prefer not to navigate stairs. You can incorporate all the space you need in a convenient layout by choosing the right floor plan. The Fairfield new home design includes 2,000 square feet on one level with three bedrooms and two baths.
A two-story home usually splits the main living area from the bedrooms, which are situated upstairs. Some homeowners prefer this distinction and also position the laundry on the second level with the bedrooms.
A good compromise is a home with a second-floor bonus suite, like the Fairfield Bonus or Laurel Pointe Bonus. The bonus area can be converted to a second master suite, a playroom, home office, hobby room, or rec room, depending on your needs. Having it on the second floor increases the privacy.
Picture Yourself Living Here
Do a mental walk-through of this design. How does it flow? Picture yourself making dinner in the kitchen while the family is in the living room. Does it feel both functional and accessible? Is it easy to go from the kitchen to the living room to the bedroom? When your kids have stashed away in their bedrooms, can you get to them easily? Will the layout afford you the privacy where you need it?
Beacon Homes offers virtual tours of our new homes so you can actually wander through the interior on-screen, exploring every corner.
Talk to us at Beacon Homes to determine the perfect floor plan for your new home. We build new homes and family-friendly communities around Oklahoma City and Tulsa, with an emphasis on energy efficiency.
