Category Archives: Floor Plans

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Back when architects were designing house plans by hand at large tilted drafting tables, a 3-D model was a luxury items usually relegated to large industrial or commercial projects. The benefit of those models, however, was paramount: having a replication of your dream project as it stands in actual space is a vital part of the process.

With countless improvements in technology, those architectural models are now available without the balsa wood and gluing processes of previous years. And this accessibility makes for a better home in the long run: from designer to builder to purchaser, having a model to work from allows everyone involved to be on the same page.

After nearly 40 years of designing homes, I am thrilled to be empowered to harness this technology. I have found that the improved clarity and transparency makes all the difference to families working on building their dream homes. This tool is of paramount importance when it comes to bridging the gap between designer and builder, and makes custom alterations a simple process.

At MonsterHousePlans.com, we offer thousands of house plans. And once you’ve searched through them and narrowed down your favorites, this 3-D Intelligent Design option allows your dream floor plan to come to life. This is an invaluable tool when it comes time to begin work with your builder: the 3-D model allows us to include the architect’s specific designs and characteristics, while giving the builder real-space awareness of how all these pieces come together. And as terms of customizing your floor plan, this is the tool that allows you to see the impact of individual choices as it translated to the house as a whole.

This industry has changed so much over the years. And while relics like the electric eraser have gone by the wayside, I am so thankful that modeling has followed us into these new methods of designing homes. There is nothing like taking an idea from your mind onto the page, and then again translating it into 3-D. It remains one of my most favorite examples of how the technological age has benefited the architectural industry: bringing real life examples of your dream home into the tangible process of everyone who buys a house plan.

– Brian Piling, architect

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There are many different styles and types of houses on the market, but there is not usually one home that meets all the wants and needs of a person or family. When you have decided it’s time to buy a new home for your family, the choices can also be overwhelming. There are many considerations that need to be made, from the location, schools, landscaping, layouts, and floor plans. The problem is that many pre-built homes have floor plans that you wish you could change, adapt, or shift around.

When investing in a new home, the plan is typically to live there for many years, so you want everything to be just right. Choosing to have your new home built is the best way to get exactly what you need and want out of your purchase, but even choosing the right floor plans can be tough.

The great thing about floor plans that you are looking at is you can often have them customized, so you can make the small changes your family needs. When you are looking through the many different layouts, you should be sure to keep in mind how convenient daily chores will be in the setup, because what you may think you want might not be the most practical once you are moved in.

One thing you really want to consider is closed floor plans versus open plans. If you are someone who loves to entertain family and friends, then open floor plans are going to be your best choice. Open plans sacrifice levels of privacy with no walls between primary common rooms, such as the kitchen, living room, and dining room. When entertaining, the open floor plan prevents people from being separated by walls.

While it may seem obvious to verify that your lot is big enough to accommodate the size of the floor plans, not all people check this beforehand. There are many restrictions or possible building codes that you must know about your property before you begin selecting the home plans. Not knowing what these are can only cause many problems and delays in construction.

floor plans for your home interiorsIt’s also a good idea to think about what is going to matter the most to your family. If you decide in the future to add a hot tub or a swimming pool, will your property accommodate the build? Think about this before picking the floor plans for your build. If your home is really large then you are taking up some of your yard area. Special rooms in the house, such as kid’s play rooms, offices, hobby rooms, and even extras like home theaters and gyms can be added in later if the house is accommodating, so keep that in mind as well. If your family is into fitness and has gym equipment, then you want to consider the possibility for a workout room when choosing floor plans.

You want to be sure that your home is not only built to suit the present day, but also the future. Your kids are probably not going to need a toy room in a few years, and there will be other changes, so thinking about all of these possibilities will really help you to customize your floor plans to meet the needs for you and your family both now and in the future. Whatever your floor plan needs, click here to browse our wide selection ofhouse plans.

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If you are considering building a new home, then you need to know that there can be a lot of questions that come up prior to starting. Whenever you choose to build a home from the ground up, you need to take the extra time to make sure that you are getting exactly what you want and need. There are many decisions have to be made regarding numerous things, including the house floor plans, location, and landscaping. It can seem overwhelming to figure out exactly what you want in your new home, but asking yourself some questions can help you to get started.

First of all, you must know that house floor plans are a breakdown of the rooms and space in the home that you can visually see. They have all the details, including the notes for builders, and they work out all of the kinks for the homebuilders to ensure the home build will be in legal compliance with building codes and regulations.

With so many house floor plans available, sometimes you may ask how you choose which one is right for you? First decide on a budget and the total square footage of the home you can reasonably afford. There are lots of times that people try to just search through a ton of floor plans aimlessly without really giving any thought into all the details, wants, and needs that they have. This can quickly cause frustration for many people.

choose house floor plansOne of the biggest problems people make when looking through house floor plans without first knowing what they are looking for is choosing house sizes that will not work with the land that the home will be built on. Knowing the correct square footage needed is essential, or they can end up with a layout that they love, but once the home is built they are frustrated at the actual rooms and their sizes. It’s never a good idea to just pick a home based on a floor plan, without making a list of the rooms and functions you want in your new home and knowing how much room will actually be needed to accomplish them.

The next big step is to figure out what you can afford. This is going to take some research on your part to get an estimate of all the costs. Make a few phone calls to builders to get an idea of cost per square foot. It’s important that you remember it is a quote, and the total can be altered by materials you choose to change, or alterations you make. You also want to evaluate the difference in price for different style homes. House floor plans that are laid out with multi levels are often less expensive than others, which is beneficial because they have more square footage.

Finally, you must keep in mind that just about all house floor plans can be customized or changed in small ways. Many times you may find the perfect floor plan if only one or two things were changed. It is nice to know that you can accomplish that change usually. The investment in your new home is a long-term commitment, and so it is critical that you pay extra attention to the details so that you can to get it exactly the way you want it. If you are ready to look through house floor plans to see what may work for you and your family, our selection at Monster House Plans is extensive and customizable.

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Moving into a new home is an exciting time especially when you have designed the floor plan for the home yourself. Deciding between building and buying can be a tough decision, and anyone who has ever designed a home and had it built for them knows it can be a lengthy process, and unlike buying a home, there is no instant gratification. However, it always works out to be the most satisfying possible experience and the home is one that will be special to you forever, no matter how long you live there, as long as you are willing to put a lot of time and thought into designing the house plans. When it comes to getting the plans designed, one of the biggest issues many people face is how to use their designated space.

House Floor PlansWhen designing a home, you generally already know the lot size of the property, and therefore have an idea of roughly how many square feet you will have to work with. However, there are endless possibilities when it comes to what to do with all of those square feet. House floor plans can take a number of different shapes, and the first question you need to ask yourself is whether you want an open concept home, or one with a little bit more separation between rooms. Both have their pros and cons, so you need to decide which style of house floor plans suits your family and lifestyle best.

Open concept homes can be a great way to bring the family together. There is little to no separation between the kitchen, Great room, and dining area, so while you are getting dinner ready, you can also be watching a football game on television, or chatting with your kids as they play in the Great room. An open concept home is great for people love to entertain, but in a more casual way. If you like your guests to make themselves at home, and feel helping themselves to drinks and snacks, it’s nice to have your entire main living area connected as one fluid unit. It also allows you to visit with guests in the living room as you clean up after a meal. Open house floor plans are easy, comfortable, and casual.

Some people love to entertain, but prefer to do so in a more formal way. For these people, house floor plans that offer separation between rooms might be a better option. You can serve guests in the dining room without them seeing the preparation area in the kitchen. This is also a great way to hide a pile of dirty dishes in the kitchen sink! A separate kitchen and living room also helps you to relax in the living room, as you won’t constantly be looking into a room that you associate with work.

Whether you choose to go with a more traditional, separate-room concept or a modern open concept, designing your own house floor plans gives you the freedom to have the house of your dreams. It might take a bit longer than buying a ready-made house, but it will be worth it in the end!

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A blog discussing how to create decor floor plans that look professionally designed without hiring a professional.

Floor plans are an important part of home decor design.  Changing your floor plans occasionally can be an easy way to refresh your home’s space without investing much financially.  Home decor design is almost its own science as there is a visual philosophy and mathematics that go into each design.  A properly laid out design can be inspiring and evoke specific emotions like calm or serenity.

Most people envision building a home from the ground up when they think about floor plans but there are many ways to think of floor plans and the aesthetic point of view is important too. A visually appealing or inviting space can be a great way to sell a home and is a tactic frequently used by homebuilders in model homes.  You will often find the highest quality finishes in model homes, as well as very stylish accents and tasteful furniture.

“Stagers” are people who come into homes that are either on the market or part of a new development and they stage the homes by bringing in beautiful furniture, accessories and accent pieces which help potential buyers envision how the homes will look when they live there.  Stagers are skilled manipulators of floor plans.  They can take a small confined or awkward space and add the right pieces in the right combination to make it feel livable and practical.  Adding a mirror to a key wall or using furniture groupings can help to define floor plans and make them seem larger and more open than perhaps they really are.

You don’t have to hire a stager to create professional looking floor plans in your own home though.  A good way to get an idea of arrangement possibilities is to go to a furniture store that creates displays and look at the floor plans they have utilized.  Furniture businesses often hire stagers to create their floor displays so by browsing through a few retailers you will be able to see the variations possible for your own space.  Professional displays also often tend to go above and beyond necessity as a tactic to entice buyers.  You can take advantage of this because not only will you glean a few ideas about furniture arrangement but you might also find some unique uses of shelving, mirrors, art, drapery and decorative accessories.

Something else to consider when designing your decor floor plans is your color scheme.  You don’t want it to be too bland or too busy; you need to find a happy medium.  Keep in mind that your furniture and the layout you choose can make a room feel busy too.  Having too much furniture incorporated into your floor plans can result in a chaotic feeling when you enter the space.  Consider pairing down your plans to include a few key pieces or create two separate spaces within the same room which will utilize all your furniture. When deciding on colors, you should have large pieces of furniture in solid uniform color, with cushions, knick-knacks and throws in an accenting color or even another large piece, such as a wing-chair in a complimentary but eye-popping pattern.

Floor plans are as important in the decor design of your house as they are in the building stage of your house so make sure you consider design potential when you’re deciding on floor plans to build from.

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When planning the design for custom homes, many considerations must be taken into account to create the appropriate layout for your lifestyle. I am currently in the process of constructing the home that my husband and I have dreamed of for years. After living in a number of different houses and apartments, I had a lot of do’s and do-not’s in mind. I knew that I did not want a bedroom with windows that faced the sunrise or hallways that were not handicap accessible. This house will definitely be the last house we live in. So when we met up with architects to create the perfect floor plan for our lifestyle, I emphasized the importance of wheel chair accessible showers, no steps on the first floor, and a security system like Fort Knox.

Traffic Flow Pattern

Traffic flow patterns should be devised in a way that allows people to move from room to room and inside or outside with ease. Identify quiet zones and place furniture in a layout that diverts traffic from such areas.
Traffic patterns should:

•    Be direct and convenient
•    Avoid paths that cut through rooms
•    Allow ample space for doors to open
•    Provide ample space without waste
•    Give easy access to kitchen

Open Space Concept

A common thing among today’s houses is an open floor plan. Narrow, long, interconnecting hallways are a time of the past. It is extremely important nowadays to utilize large open spaces. I find the idea of open floor plans to be especially attractive because they do not block exterior or interior views, space is not wasted, and entertaining guests is much more manageable. In order to successfully pull off an open space concept, consider maximizing square footage while maintaining a sense of separateness. This can be achieved through using small transition walls that have large entrances between each room.

Security System

Given the fact that this house will hopefully be our last house, we made a point to create a residence with a state-of-the-art home security system. Our architect proposed the idea of building a hidden safe below the staircase. We also had wiring placed around the house for motion sensor devices that can be controlled anywhere on the property using an iPad.

Sunlight and Exterior Views

Lighting is key to enhancing the elegance of any custom home. Setting the footprint of a home in the wrong direction can lead to poor utilization of natural light. Be sure to set the foundation of your house at an angle that will not cast shadows for the majority of the day. Take advantage of the views that your custom home has to offer by ensuring that social and entertainment rooms have large windows that are strategically placed to show off the natural beauty of your property. If you are forced to place master or guest bedrooms in a location that faces the sunrise, there are plenty of great blackout blinds.

It is very rare that a homeowner gets the chance to build his or her dream home. I highly recommend that these considerations be taken into effect so that you can enjoy every aspect of your new life.

Hannah is a security enthusiast and likes to stay up to date on the latest home security tips.

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For thousands of years people have been building houses, often with the goal of constructing their dream home that meets all their needs, desires and style.  Find out how floor plans like these are done now.

If you are thinking of building your very own home or are even considering it, then working out and designing your floor plans are going to be the most critical aspect to the process as they are the foundation for all the wants and desires you have in your dream home.  Floor plans are an important instrument used by architects and building designers to draw the house’s rooms, its spaces and other features at one level of the home at a time.

Floor plans include dimensions drawn between a room’s walls to specify the size of that room and the length of the walls.  By detailing the length and width of each room or area in the home, a potential homeowner can get a feel for how things will look upon completion of the construction.  They can also show various fixtures such as water heaters, sinks, bathtubs and furnaces.  Your final home plans can also include special notes for the construction crews to represent the actual construction methods or finishes and it may even have symbols to show where electrical items should be placed for the most detailed and perfect job competition.

Whether for additional space, luxury or simply to meet necessities, floor plans give homeowners various options to choose from before their home is built.  A potential homeowner can view and alter various floor plans to adjust the sizes, locations and layout of rooms in the house, as well as determine how to best use the space that will be made available.  Picking desired specifications is often considered to be one of the most satisfying aspects of designing the place you intend to call home for many years or even the rest of your life.

Your house is one of the biggest and most significant investments that you can make in your lifetime. That is why it is absolutely vital to find floor plans that reflect what you want and what you need in the style and designs that you want and choose.  By knowing what sizes and designs you desire in your future home, you can work with a floor plan professional to have those options easily customized so that they are included in the house construction.

The best ones will have the ability for you to go online and optimize search options to narrow down what best fits your desires.  You will be able to get a close idea to the type of floor plans you are interested in speaking with someone about and then move on from that point to reach your desired and completed plans for your home.  A true professional architect will work professionally and closely with the designers and you.  This way you should end up very satisfied and living in a most comfortable and relaxing home space that you know is yours forever.  To make your home building experience not only an enjoyable and lasting one the best companies will make your journey the best construction experience you will ever have.  They will do all they can to help you get your brand new house you can not wait to call home.