Need some ideas on customizing a new build floor plan

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

We have selected a developer's floor plan and now need to customize it to our needs. I'm having some trouble envisioning how this house will feel inside and how I will use it as I am used to living in a bungalow.

We picked this plan because:

It fits on the narrow corner lot it's going on (right side of the house is exposed and south facing)
Has a Flex room on the Main that we will close off into an office
Bedrooms have good closet sizes for extra storage
Upstairs bonus room is away from the Master and we can close it off with some french doors when the kids get older.

What I don't like about the plan:

Cramped foyer, especially since we are closing off the Flex room
Ensuite layout - wouldn't the sinks on either side of the tub look a little odd?
Ensuite walk in closet - this is so weird, I imagine it would get humid and stuffy in that long closet. I think closets should be in the bedroom where there is more light and room to check out your outfit in a standup mirror.
Worried the dining room is too small for a 6 seater rectangular table..?

What I'm on the fence about is the Laundry room - I think* I would prefer it on the upper level, but I can't imagine how we could make it work.

I would love to hear any other ideas/recommendations you all have.

Here is the original layout. We will be adding extra windows and architectural details to the right of the house.

Here is my attempt at addressing some of the issues above: I just made some adjustments in illustrator, so it's rough.

Featured Answer

calidesign

7 years ago

First, I think it's useful to walk from your garage into a laundry room where you can remove shoes, store wet things, etc. And having the option to go through the pantry rather than around the hall could be useful for groceries. Regarding the first floor, if you are sure you don't need the dining space, your den and entry plan is better than just closing off the den in the original plan. But I would be inclined to use a portion of the bonus room instead, so you can keep your dining room downstairs. On the upper floor, I see two issues. The first is the master closet on the far side of the bathroom, and the second is that the additional bathroom is on the opposite side of the stairs from the two bedrooms and bonus room it would be used with. I would use the current 2nd bath location as part of the master closet, added onto the closet in the plan and accessed from the hall, so the entire area on one side of the stairs is the master retreat. Then move bedroom 3 next to bedroom 2, and put the bath in the remainder of the bonus space. Your new bonus space is now at the top of the stairs, and separates the master from those rooms. But because you have to do so much to get the plan you want, it seems you may be better off finding another plan that already addresses these issues.

Comments (12)

jolantaflor
Original Author
7 years ago
Feedback anyone? :)
PRO
JAN MOYER
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Not a great plan in either scenario. Begin with the fact you are walking from the garage, through a laundry, and then a pantry to the kitchen. .................I wouldn't build it, sorry. The plan can't be fixed online, in a forum like this.
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oliviag55
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Personally, I always look for a plan that would accomodate a bedroom and full bath on the ground floor.

That said, first, I'd mirror the house so family room, master, and one bedroom are on the north (shaded) side.

The master bath needs work. Who needs the expensive bumpout seen by no one for the tub? I'd delete it.

I would not take the closet space from the master that you drew. Horrible for resale, even if you and your spouse dont need it.. Do like the idea of splitting the closet with br 3 and bringing an additional closet into master.
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
7 years ago
Add to the above comments that the front elevation is dominated by the garage, and it doesn't have much curb appeal. Eliminating the dining room leaves you with a very tiny dining area in the kitchen, not conducive to any sort of gathering of more than 4 people. You can do better with 2400 square feet than this plan.
jolantaflor thanked Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
lefty47
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
HI -- I don't care for this plan . I do not like plans with a center staircase arrangement.

To get the laundry up with the bedrooms where it should be .. you could move the toilet into the master bath and then push the other bathroom back to include the laundry set . This will shorten the closet for the 2 bedroom.

Then the space on the main where the laundry space is can now be a mudroom. I would also shorten the pantry a bit to have more kitchen .

A certified kitchen designer can help sort out the kitchen design and the master bath .
jolantaflor thanked lefty47
jolantaflor
Original Author
7 years ago
I agree that the floor plan is not the greatest and the garage dominating the front is not ideal, but this is what we have to work with. We're moving to the Calgary Canada area where all new communities are master developed and have these ultra narrow lots where you can only fit a 30' wide house.

Thanks for the feedback, I am going to play around with it more to enlarge the dining area and try to get the laundry upstairs.
PRO
JAN MOYER
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I'd get with the original architect who drew the plan, or another, and re work the entire plan. I'd begin with moving the laundry and "office" functions to the second floor. It's just a lousy floor plan for a busy family.
jolantaflor thanked JAN MOYER
lefty47
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
HI - Jolantaflor --- Calgary is my city and is a great place to live for families but I do not like most of the new districts because the builders do all the same houses and a lot of the newer areas will never be pretty. The houses are too close together and has proved to be bad with some house firers -- when one house goes up in flames several around go too. And all you see are garages and driveways and there is no parking for visitors . I hope your builder/developer is helpful with your changes . What brand of house ? What district is your house going to be in . There are so many new ones now , it's hard to keep up . Our family business does work for a few ... might be one of our customers !!
jolantaflor thanked lefty47
jolantaflor
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi lefty47, we're actually building in Cochrane (Sunset Ridge) with Landmark Homes. Have you worked with them before? They seem to be open to adjusting floorplans as long as it's not structural. We are not paying for a custom home after all, so I'd like to do as much figuring as possible before we meet with them to request changes.
lefty47
7 years ago
HI -- Wow you are going to love Cochrane . A relative had a Landmark house there and it was real nice , they hated to leave . Job transfer to Red Deer . We do not do work for them. But remember to have your new house locks re-coded and have new keys cut , because lots of workers have been in that house and lots of keys might be out there .And in a housing development a lot of the houses have the same keys when being built . We do work for several businesses in Cockrane .You will love the famous ice cream store and the Stampede in Calgary in July . And it's not far from Banff . I love the main street in Cockrane and the special shops and you are only about 20 min drive to great shopping in Calgary at Market Mall and many others . Welcome !!
jolantaflor thanked lefty47
PRO
Main Line Kitchen Design
7 years ago
Very poor kitchen design. Make sure you do not put the refrigerator in back of the sink. Range should go on that wall and the refrigerator on the range wall.