Architecture Unit

Steps to choosing and drawing your floor plan

Aspects to look at before choosing

Must decide what aspects you will need in a home and what you would just likeType of style of home that fitsAlso want to take into consideration purpose for the home Personal living Temporary living Resale

Style

Look through a variety of different style of floor plans to see what type you prefer.1

You can narrow your search by knowing a few style you might like before you startKeep in mind the architectural style of the homes around the area you will be building in

•Here are some styles to get you thinking. . .

Ranch

Ranch homes are the most popular choice of floor plans.One feature all ranch homes have in common is one-story floor planThe exterior and floor plan can vary greatly from one ranch to another

(All info from resource 2)

Ranch

Contemporary

Lack any features of historical styled homesOften have many windows (often large) and “dramatic roof lines” Contemporary homes are also usually an open floor plan and much less formal.

(All info from resource 3)

Contemporary

Cape Cod

This style of home is almost exclusively 1 ½ story homesThe master bedroom is on the main floor with the remaining bedrooms on the second floorOften describes the exterior of a home where the façade is balanced and the shingles are wooden or false wood

(All info from resource 4)

Cape Cod

Colonial

The floor plan is authentic to the colonial periodOften two story homes usually containing a front porch alsoNot often used today

(All info from resource 5)

Colonial

Victorian

House plans focusing on the 19th and 20th centuryThey are characterized by “intricate gable and hip rooflines, large protruding bay windows, and hexagonal or octagonal shapes often appearing as tower elements” (The House Designer).Usually designed as a two story floor plan

(All info from resource 6)

Victorian

Styles

There are many more style of floor plansThese are just the more common ones to our area Many of the other styles are incorporated or overlap into these styles

Floor Plan

Now that you have decided on a style you must choose the floor plan that fits your needs How many bedrooms How many bathrooms Kitchen layout Need for a formal dining room Type of layout

Open Traditional

Remember

If the home is being built for profit or temporary (you plan to move within a few years to a more permanent home) you want to keep in mind resale What room sells a home (Kitchen) Put needs before your wants Stay away from unusual layouts or additions to the

home, this may detract from its appeal to others (hot tubs in the living room, not an easy selling point)

Resources

1. Simon House.com “Choosing a Floor Plan.” http://simonhouses.com/new-homes/choosing-floorplan.php2.The House Designer “About Ranch House Plans.” 2012. http://www.thehousedesigners.com/ranch-house-plans.asp3. The House Designer “About Contemporary House Plans.” 2012.

http://www.thehousedesigners.com/contemporary-house-plans.asp

4. The House Designer “About Cape Cod House Plans.” 2012. http://www.thehousedesigners.com/cape-cod-house-plans.asp5. The House Designer “About Colonial House Plans.” 2012. http://www.thehousedesigners.com/colonial-house-plans.asp6. The House Designer “About Victorian House Plans.” 2012. http://www.thehousedesigners.com/victorian-house-plans.aspAll images taken by Yasmin Oberlin 11/3/2012