As you consider the design for your new home, your thoughts are probably focused on the little details like the look of the floors and the type of cabinetry you want in your kitchen. Being able to make these choices is perhaps the most exciting part about buying your new home. 

However, you don’t want to overlook the functional elements of your new home when it comes to choosing the best floor plan for your family.

Depending on your family’s needs, these floor plan features can give your home a better flow and make it work more efficiently. 

Walk-Through Pantry

Families with kids often want to purchase food in bulk, and you need a place to store all that food. Look for floor plans that include a walk-in or walk-through pantry. The walk-through pantry in the Georgia floor plan, for instance, connects the mudroom to the kitchen. This makes it easier to put away groceries because you can just walk straight through with the bags. 

Extra Space

A lot of families are simply looking for more space in their homes. Bigger homes allow each child to have his or her own bedroom, and can provide privacy even outside of bedrooms. The 2,200 square foot Brighton II, for instance, has four bedrooms upstairs. There’s also a large media room upstairs and an additional flex room on the first floor. A finished basement could add even more living space. These rooms can be customized for your family’s needs. Perhaps you could turn them into a playroom, a home gym, a home office, or just a cool space for teenagers to hang out. 

Master Suite Privacy

While some parents of young kids want to be able to hear a child’s cries in the night, many parents prefer to have a bit more privacy in their master suite. One of the best ways to do this is to have the master suite on the opposite side of the home from the kids’ bedrooms. The Avonley II floor plan does this especially well, with a large bonus room separating the bedrooms.

First-Floor Master Suite

The aches and pains that come along with getting older can make it difficult to go up and down stairs, so those who are downsizing tend to look for homes that include a first-floor master suite. The one-bedroom Wilshire model is smaller than a large home meant for families, but it’s perfect for retired couples. You’ll get an ensuite and walk-in closet in the bedroom, a laundry room on the main floor, and a very large great room. Plus, it can still work for families with kids because you can finish the basement to include two extra bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a family room.

Computer Workspace

There’s no doubt about the importance of staying connected in this day and age. Families often make do by putting laptops in places like the kitchen island or on desks in the bedrooms. If you want to create a dedicated workspace without having a full home office, look for floor plans that incorporate a built-in desk. The Bentley II model has a workstation upstairs. Use this for the family computer, as a homework space for the kids, or simply create a charging station for all of your electronics.

A Mudroom

Busy families absolutely need a mudroom in their home. This small room helps contain the clutter that would otherwise spread throughout the space. You can leave muddy boots, snow-covered mittens, backpacks, and sports equipment in this area. The Melbourne floor plan has a built-in bench and hooks for each family member in its mudroom. The Georgia plan has lockers. Even if a mudroom doesn’t have these features built-in, you can add things later on. You’ll definitely be happy you included this in the plan.

Upstairs Laundry

When you have kids, laundry is always going to be a chore. There’s always washing to be done. It gets a bit easier, though, when you have an upstairs laundry. Everyone is easily able to put their dirty clothes in the proper place after a shower, and it’s easier for kids to put their own clothes away. Many of our floor plans include this feature because they’re so popular, but the Banbury II model might be a good fit for your family. In addition to the upstairs laundry, it also has lockers in the mudroom and a front porch that’s perfect for summer evenings. 

It’s clear that the layout of your new home is just as Important as the decorative finishes. Come take a tour of our many show homes to get a better sense of how different floor plans can flow, and start making a list of all the features you want to include in your home.

What type of house will you call home?