Exploring floor plans
Exploring floor plans
Find a layout for your lifestyle
One of the most exciting parts of buying a new construction home is exploring floor plans and finding the home layout that works for your individual needs and lifestyle. But sometimes it's easier said than done! How can you look at a two-dimensional drawing and imagine what life will be like in a three-dimensional living space? Here are some things to consider.
Evaluating plans
1. Consider the location within the community
The truth is that not every floor plan can be built on every plot of land. Size and grade can impact what is offered. So when you're exploring floor plans, you need to think about where that floor plan is currently being built within the neighborhood.
At Richmond American, your sales associate can show you which homes are currently available and where those homes are positioned within the community. Do you want to be steps from the park? Backing to open space? Find out which homes are located where you want to be situated.
2. Deciding between a ranch or multi-story home
The next thing you need to keep in mind when exploring floor plans is the number of floors you want in your new home. If you have trouble getting up and down stairs, a ranch home will likely be the better choice. For those families with small children, many parents choose plans with all the bedrooms on one level. For a more comprehensive list of benefits of ranch and multi-level homes, check out our blog article, Ranch vs. Two Story Homes
3. Garage accommodations
When taking into account the desired size of your garage, you may need to think about more than the number of vehicles you own. If you need extra storage or a work bench, you may want to opt for more garage space. The good news is that new construction homes tend to have much more garage square footage than homes built in the preivous century. At Richmond American, we even offer the UltraGarage®— an attached, extra-tall garage designed to house a range of vehicles, from your RV to a boat and more.
Want to learn more about Richmond American home collections and which one might have the floor plan that meets your lifestyle needs? Explore floor plans now on our collections page.
How to read a floor plan
Learn to identify the features you want
Now that you know the high-level basics of what you're looking for in a floor plan, it's time to focus on the specifics. So much of what makes a home work for an individual's lifestyle is in the details. Is there enough closet space? Will my king size bed fit with two large nightstands? There are many things to consider, and only you know what you own and how you like to live within your home. We hope that these two homebuyer guides can give you the knowledge you need to properly assess your options and find the perfect floor plan fit.
Floor Plan Basics
Floor Plan Basics
So much of reading a floor plan is knowing the lingo and understanding what the markings mean on the drawings. This guide breaks down the vocabulary, so you can better understand the features a floor plan offers.
Other topics in this guide:
- How to understand structural options
- Floor plan wish list worksheet
- Floor plan glossary
And be sure to read the Lifestyle Checkpoints! These tips throughout the guide give you questions to ask yourself and anyone who will be living under the same roof.
How to Choose the Right Floor Plan for Your Lifestyle
When you've got the lingo down, it's time to go more in-depth to compare how each room in the home functions. Go from the kitchen to the bedrooms and evaluate what does and doesn't work for you. This guide walks you through each room and gives you lifestyle tips to consider along the way.
Highlights include:
- Room-by-room lifestyle guide
- House hunting wish list
- Lifestyle checkpoints with discussion points to consider
Want even more floor plan content? We have a blog story for that! Our article on How to Find a Home Floor Plan You’ll Love for Life covers everything from square footage to model touring tips.
