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New construction gives you a way to start fresh and build the home you’ve always wanted. However, coming up with the perfect custom floor plan might feel intimidating. You don’t have to be an architectural expert to create your ideal floor plan, but it does help to have some knowledge of basic design concepts. Consider the following tips to help you design a custom floor plan for new construction.
Think About Foot Traffic
The way you and your family will be moving around your home throughout the day can help you decide on a floor plan. You don’t want a layout that feels crowded or cramped, such as a narrow galley kitchen or a lot of enclosed rooms. An open floor plan can provide plenty of space for you and your family, but you still need to consider foot traffic on a typical day. This can help you determine the best layout for your main downstairs living area, upstairs bedrooms and other areas. You should also think about the flow of traffic as people go in and outside. For example, you might want to include a mudroom near the entrance to your backyard or garden.
Plan for Plumbing and Electrical
Having pipes and wiring installed can cost quite a bit, so it’s important to be efficient when planning these. Your floor plan should try to minimize the amount of pipes and wiring needed by having certain rooms aligned or near each other. For example, you might want to place an upstairs bathroom right above your kitchen, which helps cut down on the amount of wiring and pipes needed in your home. Otherwise, you’ll be paying more to have wires and pipes installed in wider lengths throughout your home.
Think Ahead
The home you’re building should be able to accommodate you and your family for many years. Depending on your plans, you might want to include an extra bedroom, such as if you’re planning to have kids or if you’re expecting a parent or other family member to move in. If your plans include running a business from home, your floor plan should have enough space and the right layout for a home office. You might also want to consider having aging-in-place features, such as a downstairs bedroom, included if you’re planning to continue living in your new house as you get older.
Consider Convenience
Certain features can add a lot of convenience to your new home. You might want to put your laundry room on the second floor of your home, for example, so you don’t have to walk up and downstairs with laundry baskets. Having a separate utility space can also make it easier to have your water heater and furnace inspected and maintained on a regular basis.
Let Natural Light In
Your custom floor plan for new construction should maximize the amount of natural light available. This creates a cheerful environment in your home while allowing you to cut down on your energy usage. Windows facing south let in plenty of bright sunlight throughout the day, while windows facing north let in softer daylight, so plan your window placement accordingly. Consider skylights and bigger windows to allow even more light to brighten your new home.
About the Author
Kimberly Hering
Kimberly Hering's devotion to helping people achieve their real estate goals stems from her genuine enjoyment of the process. Whatever the task, Kimberly makes it her mission to get it done, however she can, without compromising her client's needs. Often, that means thinking outside the box. After working with Kimberly, clients describe her as being Trustworthy, Creative, Patient, Highly Skilled, Attentive to the Process and having a lot of Integrity.
After spending more than 15 successful years working on Wall Street, Kimberly transitioned into Real Estate, joining Alain Pinel Realtors, then moving to Zephyr, now Corcoran Global Living, in 2018. During her career on Wall Street, Kimberly was a Vice President working as an Institutional Equity Salesperson for Montgomery Securities for 10 years. She covered the top money managers throughout the US and Canada. She joined Jefferies & Co as a Senior Vice President managing the Western Region Institutional Sales group, while continuing to cover the top money managers.
Kimberly leverages her extensive experience selling equities to top money managers throughout the US and Canada, to successfully negotiating any Real Estate transaction seamlessly for her clients. Kimberly is well versed in Marin's neighborhoods, towns, cities, and education system.
Living in the Bay Area for 35 years, 25 years in Marin and having 2 sons in local Marin schools, Kimberly spends a lot of time volunteering in the community and serving on various local Boards. Kimberly has a collection of resources ranging from the best local breakfast spots to vetted contractors. With her reliable list of valuable resources, Real Estate experience and unsurpassed knowledge of Marin's many communities, Kimberly can guide her clients through every aspect of a Real Estate transaction seamlessly.
Relocating to Marin, downsizing, upsizing, first time home buying, final home purchase or sale, or a lot to build a dream home, no matter the undertaking, Kimberly works seamlessly until the job at hand is completed with 100% satisfaction.