We’re about halfway through 2022, and so we thought this is a good time to share the trends we’re seeing so far from our customers as they work with us to build their dream homes.
For most people looking to build a home for their family, they will be faced with two basic choices: Go with a production floor plan or a custom floor plan. There are some in-between choices, as with semi-custom homes, but the level of customization applies mostly to interior elements like cabinet finishes and paint.
With a production floor plan, what you see is what you get. The rooms as designed on paper are what you’ll get when the home is built. If you want to customize any spaces – like turn one room into a study – you’ll have to do the remodeling yourself (or through a contractor).
On the other hand, a custom floor plan is one that a designer creates to satisfy your specific preferences as a homeowner. We want our homes to be inviting and comfortable with a practical design that reflects how we live our lives each day. Customization is a sure way to achieve that outcome.
The Advantages of a Custom Floor Plan
A production floor plan has some benefits in its favor. One is that it’s built for the masses, which means its layout will reflect popular tastes. Another is that any design flaws from the original concept will have been worked out over hundreds of implementations. It can also be completed in a relatively shorter amount of time than its custom counterpart.
The custom approach also has a number of advantages, including:
- It can grow with you. A custom home is one designed for changes you anticipate, such as a growing family. Even when your children leave the nest, many will prefer to have their bedrooms to come back to on return trips from college. Or, these rooms could be converted to a study, exercise room, media room or craft room. Having larger, versatile rooms can also help their transition from pre-adolescent to teenager.
- It reflects your preferences. Isn’t that what we want most out of our home, where we spend much of time working, relaxing, playing, and enjoying family and friends? When you’re taking on the ambitious process of building your own home, don’t settle for someone else’s vision.
While a custom design can be more expensive and take longer to create than stock plans, it will reflect your personal tastes and lifestyle.
Large Homes
4,000+ square-foot-homes are a popular request among families building hew homes. One reason for the attraction: It allows you to expand out and up as you create your house. Another reason for elevating your square footage: Your ideal lot may require you to go with a multilevel design so that you get all the space – and views – that you want.
Connect Inside and Out
Because we’re spending a lot of time in and around our homes, homeowners want a design that feels open and connected with nature. You can bring in sunlight through biophilic design, where large windows bring in the sun light. Outdoor decks with built-in kitchens also serve as an extension of your indoor space and create a seamless transition from one area to the next. This has the effect of making a large space feel even bigger.
Activity Spaces
These spaces are the kind that you’ll miss when you don’t have them. Especially in today’s work-from-home environment, you may want two separate offices, and possibly more if teens or children need their own space. Design these with attention to good lighting, so that you have a relaxing space that supports working long hours. It will also be attractive to those you work with over video calls. Home gyms, media rooms and play areas for the kids and adults are also popular – and are especially good to have when kids come over for a play date or sleepover.
Large Kitchens
You don’t have to be a foodie to see the value in having a big kitchen. A large kitchen brings a lot to the value of your home, including:
- Plenty of room to cook and prepare food
- Space to enjoy an informal family breakfast before heading off to work and school
- The ability to comfortably prepare meals for large gatherings when entertaining guests, whether it’s for a party or seasonal events like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Another advantage of the large kitchen: It gives you room for an island. Some homeowners, may want two islands once they see how convenient it is to have the extra counter space, seating, and pullouts for trash. Another island gives them a dedicated area for storing plates, glasses, and cookbooks. It can also be the bar where you mix drinks.
Mudroom
The mudroom is often a transition area from the garage to the main part of the house. Mudrooms offer a lot of benefits because they allow you to do so much from one space.
One of those is obvious from the name: You can remove wet and dirty clothing and shoes. This is a must-have feature when you or the kids are returning from playing sports on a muddy field. Even if you’re just coming in from the pool, you’ll be glad you have a space where everyone can remove their bathing suits and put on dry clothes so they don’t drip water in the house.
Mudrooms are also versatile: You can place your washer and dryer here, well away from the rest of the house, so that the noise of their operation isn’t intrusive.
Create Your Custom Home with LaBram Homes
As you consider what your new home will look like, work with the team at LaBram Homes. We can show you how your custom floor plan can accommodate any design features you have in mind, such as sustainable materials like stone for countertops and wood for the exposed beams in ceilings. Certain materials, such as brick archways, can greatly enhance a design focused on making an attractive transition between the indoors and outdoors.
When you work with LaBram Homes, you’ll have a team that can create the exact design you want, and then customize the details that make your home unique.
Contact LaBram Homes to begin the process of making your dream home a reality.
