Learn How to Choose the Perfect Floor Plan

Choosing the perfect floor plan has to be the most important part of building a home since that is what everything else depends upon. So getting this foundational aspect of your new home built right is vital to the rest of the process and to your enjoyment of living in your perfect dream home.

There are so many choices to make when deciding on your house plan, but it needn’t be a daunting process. So we’ve put together some tips to make the process of choosing the perfect floor plan more enjoyable and to help you sidestep possible errors.

Considerations When Choosing a Floor Plan

There are some vital things to consider when choosing house plans. The first is the kind of block of land the house will be constructed upon, then how you wish your home to function according to your family’s needs and lifestyle. You need to know what you are looking at when perusing floor plan designs. The following list should guide you in the right direction.

Your Block of Land is the Beginning

This is where home building begins, so getting this foundational aspect right is crucial since the size of your block governs the size of your home and how it functions from the bottom up. We advise those of our customers who opt to buy their own block rather than choose a house and land package, to have their site chosen before looking at floor plans.

Choosing the block first will help you to imagine where and how your house will be located, and it helps to make sure that the plan you choose is the right size for the block. To help make the building process as fuss-free as possible, it helps to have a basic idea of all the features of your site, such as its size, shape, and possible obstructions like sewer lines, easements and council covenants.

Other things to consider are the way the house is facing, the angle of the sun, the site for the driveway and airflow in the house.

Know Your Budget

When choosing the right floor plan, it’s a good idea to find out what particular house plans cost to build and if your budget can stretch that far. Before you get your heart set on a house plan, it’s good to know that, as a rule, split-level and multi-storey home designs are more expensive to build than a single-storey style.

If yours is a sloping block that needs a retaining wall, or the fall of the land may cause extra costs and complicated landscaping, you need to know about it. The number of rooms will determine the cost, so know how many bedrooms you will need as you plan for your new home. Once you know how far your budget will stretch, you can narrow down the right plan for the dream home you can afford.

Write Out a Wish List

Sit down with a pen and paper and think about where you live at the moment and consider its floor plan. Write down all the things you like in one column and the things you don’t like in another. One of the key considerations is what works and what doesn’t work for you and your family’s lifestyle. Does the home have enough storage space? Would you prefer a larger dining room or another living room so you can have a private space while the kids are playing or watching tv in the family room?

Performance and Lifestyle Needs

Deciding on the floor plan is a big decision, so don’t rush it. Try to envisage your family living in the home, the number of children you have, and whether or not you might want more. What about older family members? Will they be leaving home soon or will parents or in-laws need a separate living area in the new house?  What about your pets and general lifestyle needs? You might love to entertain guests and need a generous living space, a lovely indoor/outdoor living area and a gourmet kitchen.

Other considerations include whether your kids might need a separate TV room or games area. Does the floor plan you like allow a good flow of traffic and more space, and will you need new furniture? Will your existing furniture be suitable in the new home? Do you want to add a home theatre to your floor plan? Do you envisage a certain architectural style, and what about other living spaces such as the number of bathrooms and ensuites?

Regarding Floor Plans, Know What You’re Looking At

The terminology, abbreviations, acronyms and symbols in a floor plan you are looking at might be confusing, making it difficult when choosing a floor plan. While some of the squiggles and letters are pretty simple to work out, such as WC for the water closet, and WIR for a walk-in robe, some might be a bit more elusive.

To make an informed choice of the floor plan, you need to know exactly what you’re looking at, especially with regard to ceiling heights and floor sizes. If you can’t figure out what all the confusing symbols and lines are all about, just ask the professionals at Aston Homes for help.

Check Out Aston Display Homes Today

Whether you have only a vague idea about what you want in a floor plan, or if you’re set on a certain design for the building of your new home, we recommend a visit to one of our many display homes across Melbourne. Why not check out our floor plans for your perfect home today? Choosing the right builders for your new home is a crucial decision.

If you’re ready to build, we’d love to hear from you so we can show you why you’re better off building your dream home with Aston Homes. Get in touch with our new home consultants today, fill in the online message form or call us on 1300 616 204. You won’t regret it.