Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Turn Your Dreams Into Reality


Everyone dreams of living in a home they can truly call their own. And many people come up with their own house plans to create their dream home into reality. But before you can come up with your very own house plan, you first need to understand its basic rudiments.

A house plan is also known as a floor plan. Not only does it comprise your home’s exterior but also the interior as well. The interior layout and design are important when selecting a house plan, since it specifies the square footage of the entire living space as well as number of rooms, which include the bedrooms and bathrooms. Some design features of a house plan are garage space and flow of traffic through the home.

There is a plethora of house plans that you can choose from, ranging from the biggest to the smallest, the fanciest down to most plain. If you are looking for a house plan, there are some things that you need to consider to help you come up with the right plan.

Location. Your lot plays a huge influence on the house plan that you desire. Before choosing your house plan, it is important to start looking for a lot so that you can have a better picture of living space for your property.

Right of way and natural features such as trees and rock outcroppings can also influence your house’s location as well. Also, community organizations and local zoning boards usually require houses to be set back at a specified distance from the street. So before buying a lot, know if the lot’s front side-street boundaries conform to the front yard setback guidelines.

For instance, if the lot is situated in a suburb, consider the positioning of the windows, making sure that these do not exactly align with the your neighbors’ views. Make enough room for your driveways as well. It may not be a good idea to maximize every square foot of your property because you may likely have a lesser yard.

Streets, topography and even sun exposure are also other important determinants of your house plan. For instance, covered porches facing southern exposure can block out sunlight and heat.

Style preferences. A house plan reflects the kind of life you live. Whether you are the type who likes hosting dinner parties or prefers working from home, know which features best suits your lifestyle and needs so that you can have a clear picture of what works and what doesn’t. For instance, a single-story ranch home may be an ideal plan for someone who wants to downsize. If you like the feel of outdoors, then you may consider a spacious floor plan with more windows and many porches. Moreover, go for house plans that feature cozy communal spaces if you are thinking of raising your own family.

Furniture and fixtures. Hold on to the thought of decorating your home from a new slate. Just because you have a new house does not necessarily mean that you have to fill it with all things new. The key here is to arrange your existing furniture in a way that can truly match the overall look, feel and function of your home. All it takes is a little creativity and imagination. After all, what makes your house a home is your personal touch to it. Moreover, you also need to consider electrical plans, outlets, switches, heating, plumbing and other fixtures that should meet building codes and standards.

It is important to consult your local engineer or builder to make sure that your blueprint complies with the necessary building codes and other applicable variables and restrictions. An architect can also help you personalize your house plan faster and easier as well.

With all these in mind, you can turn your dream house from blueprint to a stunning reality.

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