One of the many benefits of building a custom home is having the ability to select and customize a floor plan that meets your unique needs. However, selecting the right floor plan isn’t always an easy task. Building a custom home is a big investment, and there is only one chance to get it right. As a result, it’s natural to feel like there is a lot of pressure to make the right decision.
At Atlas Homes, we work directly with our customers to assess their needs and help them select the best floor plan for their families. We have the experience to help you navigate difficult decisions and make the best choice. If you’re looking for a contractor to help you design and build the perfect home, don’t just Google “custom home builder near me”, instead, we have some tips below from our team to help you plan your perfect custom dream home:
1. Think About What’s Missing In Your Current Home
If you’ve lived in your current home for some time, you’ve likely developed a mental list of your likes and dislikes. Before you build a custom home, jot down a list of things you’re missing in your current floor plan. To help you get started, below are some questions to ask yourself:
- Is my current home too large or too small?
- Do I need an extra bathroom?
- Do I need more storage space?
- Do I like the style of my current home?
After you’ve identified what’s missing, let yourself imagine what an ideal living space would look like. This will help you develop a list of requirements, so you’ll be better prepared to make the best decision on your new floor plan.
2. Evaluate Your 10 To 15 Year Outlook
Taking a step back and imagining where you’ll be in 10 to 15 years is a helpful exercise when deciding on a floor plan or the features of a custom home. After all, you’re building for the future. If you’re planning on having kids or perhaps will soon be an empty-nester, it’s probably best to consider these factors when determining how much size you’ll really need. Also, consider whether you’ll need to relocate again in the future. While you can’t always predict what will happen down the road, you do want to be careful not to end up with too much or too little space. After all, a custom home is an investment and you probably won’t want to move again any time soon.
3. Consider Your Lot
If you have not yet selected a lot, you’ll need to do so before choosing a floor plan. The size and shape of your lot are going to play huge roles in the floor plan selection process, as whatever you decide to build will have to ultimately fit within the confines of your land. You’re also going to want to select a floor plan that optimizes light exposure, so you’ll need to know the orientation of your lot as well. Choosing a floor plan that compliments the size of your lot can be tricky, which is why you should turn to your custom home builder to consult you through the process. Your builder can evaluate the size, slope, and orientation of your lot and help you choose a floor plan that works well with the space you have.
4. Imagine Yourself In Your New Home
Once you’ve narrowed down your floor plan selections to a few different options, take some time to imagine yourself living in each one. Try to envision yourself walking around the house. Imagine yourself doing day-to-day routines such as cooking, laundry, or yard work. Think about where you’ll place your furniture and what type of interior design elements or decor you might add to each room. Also, imagine how you’ll use the space. Will you be entertaining guests? Do you need space for the kids? How many people will be living in the house? How important is privacy? If there is a certain floor plan or concept that makes you more excited than others, then it might be the right fit for you in the end.
5. Consider Storage And Functional Spaces
It’s natural for many homeowners to focus on the details of the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms, but it’s the functional spaces are also incredibly important. You’ll definitely realize this when it’s time to move in. Think about how much you’d like to have an entryway, an extra bathroom, or a laundry room. Consider how much closet or storage space you’ll need. These will ultimately be things that you need to incorporate into your floor plan upfront. Bottom line — don’t become so caught up in the “big rooms” that you overlook the importance of functional spaces.
6. Don’t Forget About Energy Efficiency
In Central Florida, building an energy-efficient home is critical in order to avoid sky-high energy bills and do your part to help the environment. Luckily, there are ways to incorporate energy efficiency into your floor plan. For example, open floor plans allow for better air circulation and can help to increase light exposure throughout the house, both of which can lead to lower utility costs. Open floor plans also provide you with more space within a smaller overall footprint.
Open floor plans are just one component. Be sure to talk to your builder about dual pane windows, fiberglass doors, high-quality insulation, and energy-efficient appliances as well. Building energy-efficient also can help increase the value of your home, which will be beneficial if and when it comes time to sell. If energy efficiency is important to you, make sure to incorporate it into your floor plan and home design and work with a contractor who specializes in green building.
7. Trust Your Decision
Selecting a floor plan for your new custom home isn’t as simple as searching for a “custom home builder near me” and browsing through options online. It requires a lot of thought and planning. While it’s a big decision, it’s important not to put too much pressure on yourself. While building a home gives you the flexibility to make things the way you want them, there will always be pros and cons to your floor plan. To further complicate things, your needs will continue to evolve over time. As a result, it’s important to remember that there may be some drawbacks. However, as long as you try to anticipate your needs and select something that matches your style and budget, you should have full confidence that you’re making the right decision.
One of the best ways to ensure you choose the best floor plan is by working with an experienced custom builder. If you’re thinking about floor plans for your new custom home, contact us at Atlas Homes. We’ve been building high-quality homes in the DeLand area since 2014!