Creating a custom floor plan is an extremely time consuming and daunting task. It is overwhelming for anyone. I have compiled a list of my top five considerations when creating my own custom floor plan. These are beneficial (and often overlooked) things to consider for anyone designing a floor plan. Number five is a MUST!

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1. VIEW FROM THE FRONT DOOR

Think about what you want visitors to see when they walk through your front door. What do you want the focal point to be? Make sure to implement this focal point into your floor plan.

If you want to display a grand piano or other prized possession, make sure to create a space for this. If you want your focal point to be a unique piece of art or a family gallery wall, ensure that you have a wall near your foyer to do this.

My focal point is a large wall of windows overlooking our wooded backyard. I wanted visitors’ eyes to be drawn to our beautiful view as soon as they step through our front door.

2.   STAIR PLACEMENT FUNCTIONALITY

When creating a custom floor plan, consider your stair placement in relation to how YOUR family lives? Stair placement is largely a matter of taste. Some people want their stairs out of view and some want them in full view. Think beyond simply whether or not you want your stairs visible; think about how your family will utilize your stairs.

Our bedrooms determined where I placed my stairs; my girls sleep upstairs and we sleep on the main level. I created a floor plan with stairs directly next to the master bedroom so my children have safe and easy access to our bedroom in the middle of the night. Truly think about your family’s needs when creating all aspects of your plan.

Blue Rug I Wood Flooring

   3.   PRIVACY IN MAIN ROOMS

If you plan to have a front door with windows, then think about the placement of your kitchen and family room. We spend most of our time as a family in the kitchen.

I moved walls around (while designing plan) to ensure that our kitchen was not visible from the front door. I want privacy when having family meals or doing the kids’ homework at our kitchen island.

4.   MASTER BEDROOM PRIVACY

I have been in many homes where I can see directly into the master bedroom from the foyer, kitchen, or family room. To me, a master bedroom is a private space that should not be on full display.

When mentally walking through your floor plan, consider whether your master is hidden from view.

  5.  3-D RENDERING OF FRONT ELEVATION

I HIGHLY recommend you pay for a 3D rendering of the front elevation of your home. By definition, a custom floor plan has never before been erected and therefore you can only visualize what the exterior will look like upon completion.

I hated the first rendering of my home. If I had not done this rendering, the final product would have looked like that first rendering. It took a few revisions but we ended up with a home exterior we LOVE!

We used XR3D Studios for our rendering and they did a great job!

There you have it … five of my top considerations when creating a custom floor plan. If you want a little guidance with creating the perfect floor plan for YOUR family, download my *FREE* Floor Plan Creation Questionnaire.