Before you start your home search or begin new construction, consider what kind of layout suits your lifestyle and family needs. Things that sound as simple as how many steps you have to climb or whether there is a wall between the kitchen and family room can make a big impact on your daily living. Start with two areas of focus: Number of stories and interior floorplan.
Number of Stories
The number of floors in your home has a significant effect on your lifestyle. For example, some people love their home as they get older but decide to move based solely on the fact that it’s too painful to climb steps any longer.
Ranch. A single story home is very popular in most regions of the country. People who want to stay in a home for the long haul as they age prefer ranches because it allows ease of mobility. Or some families just prefer a sprawling layout. Keep in mind that ranch homes tend to require wider foundations and double sized roofs, so the price is normally higher than two-story homes nearby. And while ranches are mostly rectangular in footprint, they also come L-shaped, potentially allowing more garage and driveway space on certain lots.
Split-Level and One-and-a-Half Story. The split level offers more than one level of rooms separated by just a few steps. Often the kitchen and dining areas are one floor and bedrooms on either an upper or lower level. Lower levels are usually finished. In a one-and-half story home, the second floor is usually smaller with only one or two bedrooms. These types of homes are similar to two-story living but with fewer steps. Split levels might be considered inconvenient for families with crawling babies as there are multiple levels to consider as hazardous.
Two-Story. The most popular two-story home usually has matching square footage on first and second levels. Common living areas are on the first floor and bedrooms on the second. Homes with a first-floor master bedroom and bathroom suite tend to drive up the price. Similar to the ranch style, first-floor master plans cost more to build due to the larger foundation and roof structure.
Three or More Stories. Houses with multiple stories tend to be townhomes or row houses with narrower footprints. These homes have narrow, long floors as a result. This style of home is usually found near city shops and restaurants, which adds convenience and walkability. The downside, of course, is more steps to climb. Forgetting something on the third floor when you’re on the first can be a big hassle.
Interior Floorplan
After you’ve pinpointed story-level preference, you need to decide on layout. Is it more important for the home to feel open with each room blending into the next? Or do you like rooms that are more clearly defined by walls and dividing structures? Also, of course, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and the inclusion of office space are critical considerations.
Open Floorplans. Times have changes over the decades. Increasingly, families want to see what’s going on in the living room while making dinner—to check on kids or just be able to feel part of the interaction. Also, when entertaining, an open floorplan means no one is partitioned off in an isolated space. Especially in two-story homes, families have a preference for fewer walled off rooms on the first floor.
Separated Rooms and Hallways. As much as open floorplans are desired, the increasing trend of people working from a home office means that walled off rooms are still needed. When others are home watching TV or conversing, there needs to be a way to keep the noise and distraction out.
Master Bedroom Suites. The “en suite” for the master bedroom has become a must. Today’s home owners want a decent sized master bedroom with a spacious, connecting bathroom. And as children get older, families are also more concerned about having bathrooms for each member. Additional bathrooms are becoming expectations rather than luxuries.
After you know how many stories and what type of general layout you want, then pay attention to more specifics. When you pull into your garage, do you mind walking through the laundry room to get in the house? Is it a big deal that the washer and dryer aren’t on the second floor? Do you mind the master closet being attached to the master bath, or do you prefer it be separate? Look at the big stuff first, then weed through the details.