Home Building The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Floor Plan for Your Home July 6, 2023 Written by Demi Marketing Coordinator Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Share by email Everyone dreams of owning their own home, but the path to fulfilling that dream can sometimes feel overwhelming. Your home is a significant investment and one that should mirror your lifestyle and personal preferences. The process to begin building your dream home requires careful thought and consideration. At Better Built Homes, we aim to make this process easier for you. We understand that each family is unique, and we take pride in merging thoughtful design and superior craftsmanship to ensure every home we build matches the lifestyle of the family living in it. From our modern home designs to knockdown rebuilds, dual occupancy homes and everything in between, we break it all down: how to pick your ideal house style, choosing a floor plan and all house design factors that go along with our building process. Better Built Homes are here to guide you every step of the way. 6 Lifestyle Questions to Answer Before Choosing a Floor Plan for Your House Before settling on a house design or floor plan, there are several lifestyle questions you need to ask yourself. Your answers will help us understand your needs and guide you on how to choose a floor plan for your new house. 01. Family Planning & Pets Plan on having children? Already have a few little ones running around? Children need space to grow, and the number of children you have will significantly impact the amount of space you require. Similar to children, pets also require space. When choosing a Better Built Home, consider the needs of your furry friends too. 02. Location If you’re considering several designs, our team can advise which would work best on your purchased block. Project homes are ideally designed for flat or gently sloping land, making this a crucial consideration, especially for challenging blocks. A design that harmonises with the block could save significant costs. Are you living in the city? If so, our narrow home designs could perfectly fit you. 03. Outdoor Space Are you a fan of wide-open spaces? Maybe you’re a gardener at heart, an outdoor yogi, or a pet owner. If any of these sound like you, it’s a good idea to go for a house plan with plenty of yard space. You’ll want enough room for Skippy to frolic, space for your roses to bloom, or a spot for your future pool! 04. Entertainment Are your weekends typically filled with friends and laughter? If hosting get-togethers is your thing, you’ll need a house plan that caters to social activities. Imagine an open floor plan where the kitchen flows right into the living room – perfect for chats over drinks and snacks. Don’t forget to consider an outdoor entertaining area and enough space for a big dining table. Love movie nights? Think about adding a cosy media room to the plan! 05. Accommodating Guests Are your weekends typically filled with friends and laughter? If hosting get-togethers is your thing, you’ll need a house plan that caters to social activities. Imagine an open floor plan where the kitchen flows right into the living room – perfect for chats over drinks and snacks. Don’t forget to consider an outdoor entertaining area and enough space for a big dining table. Love movie nights? Think about adding a cosy media room to the plan! 06. Vehicle Storage How many cars do you have? Or maybe you’ve got a boat, motorbikes, or a few bicycles? Your vehicle situation will definitely influence the size of your garage or even the need for extra driveway space. Don’t forget to think about where you’ll store all your outdoor gear and tools, too – a spacious garage or a handy shed could do the trick! Remember, the perfect house plan isn’t just about what works now but what’ll also work for your future self. With a bit of forethought, you’ll find a floor plan that’s as flexible and dynamic as life itself! How to choose a floor plan for a new house Your home should be as unique as you are. We pride ourselves on offering customisable floor plans, allowing you to make design modifications that suit your style and requirements. From room configurations to finishes and fixtures, we work with you to create a home that meets all your needs and desires. Choosing a floor plan is one of the critical steps in building your dream home. We at Better Built Homes understand that every family has unique requirements. We accommodate your needs and preferences to create a home that mirrors your lifestyle, considering your budget and the size of your family. Here are a few pointers to guide you in choosing the perfect floor plan for your new home: 01. Visit a Display Home or Take a 3D Virtual House Tour At Better Built Homes, we provide two unique ways to visualise your dream home: visiting our Display Centres in Sydney or taking a Virtual 3D House Tour from your computer or smartphone. Our display homes showcase the finest craftsmanship, earning us many awards, including the title of Sydney’s best home builder for three consecutive years. Explore the Ivy 32 and Dalton 21 at Leppington Living or the Hawkesbury 45R and Macquarie 33 at North Richmond in Sydney. Each feature and finish can be adapted to fit your chosen home design. Our Virtual 3D House Tours are the next best thing if you can’t visit in person. Digitally explore single-storey designs for city living to expansive double-storey homes for growing families. The brilliant 3D technology from 3D Insights Virtual Tours provides a dollhouse view, fully understanding the home’s layout as though you were there. 02. Overall Size & Width Your block’s overall size and width are vital in choosing the right floor plan. The dimensions of your lot will significantly determine the layout, size, and shape of your home. First, consider if your block is big or small enough to accommodate the house design you have in mind. You don’t want to select a design that overwhelms your lot or leaves you with limited outdoor space. The house should be proportional to the land for a balanced aesthetic. Secondly, consider if the house fits widthways on the block. This aspect is especially critical for narrow or irregularly shaped lots. Consider the setbacks and easements that might be required by your local council. These regulations will determine how far your home should be from the block’s boundaries and can significantly impact the width of the house you can build. At Better Built Homes, we offer a variety of floor plans, including options designed to fit perfectly on narrower blocks. We understand that every block is unique and comes with its own set of challenges and advantages. Our experienced team is ready to help you navigate these considerations and choose a floor plan that maximises your block’s potential. 03. Facade The façade of your home plays a significant role in creating a lasting first impression. It reflects your style and sets the tone for the rest of the house. Therefore, when choosing a floor plan, ensure the façade suits your style and taste. Remember that the façade should also blend well with the neighbourhood and adhere to any design guidelines for the area. Some estates have strict design guidelines that homeowners must comply with, ensuring a consistent and harmonious aesthetic throughout the neighbourhood. At Better Built Homes, we offer various façade options, from modern to traditional designs, allowing you to choose one that best matches your style and meets the area’s design guidelines. Our team of experts will guide you through the selection process, considering the orientation of your home, the local climate, and your personal preferences. We aim to create a façade that is not only beautiful but also functional and energy-efficient. These decisions may feel daunting, but with Better Built Homes, you’re never alone in the process. We offer expert advice and guidance to help you choose the perfect floor plan for your dream home. 04. Affordability Your budget will ultimately determine the type of floor plan you can choose. Establishing your budget earlier ensures your chosen design aligns with your financial abilities. While a larger, more complex floor plan may seem appealing, remember that it will likely come with higher building and maintenance costs. At Better Built Homes, we offer a range of financing options and can guide you through the process to help you find a suitable home within your budget. To get started, check out our home loan calculators to help you balance your budget. Before embarking on your journey to choose a floor plan, clearly understand your budget. At Better Built Homes, we provide custom services for a fee, allowing significant changes to our designs or creating a bespoke home using our standard materials and fixtures. Remember that custom designs will add to the overall cost of the build. 05. Suitability Analyse your current home and identify what works and what doesn’t for you. Make a list of ‘must-haves’ and ‘nice-to-haves’ and things you’d rather avoid. Ensure the room sizes are adequate for your intended usage. You can measure your favourite pieces of furniture from your current home and visualise where they would fit in your new space. By taking the time to consider these factors, you can ensure that your new home will be a place that fits your lifestyle perfectly and brings you joy for many years to come. With Better Built Homes, your dream home is just a consultation away! Better Built Homes House Styles At Better Built Homes, we offer a variety of house styles to suit every lifestyle and preference. Here are some of the modern home designs we offer: Single Storey Our single-storey home designs are suited to first-time home buyers, downsizers and builders. They range from classic bungalows to modern single-storey homes. We focus on architectural presence and various customisations to make your house a home. Double Storey If you need more space, consider our two-storey house designs. These are ideal for growing families and can accommodate larger blocks of land or serve as a knockdown rebuild for your existing home. Acreage If you own a large property, our acreage home designs will help you maximise the use of your land. We offer classic country-style homes, modern farmhouses, and houses of opulence. Dual Occupancy If you’re considering a dual living arrangement, we offer dual occupancy designs that provide private and shared spaces for multi-generational families or investment purposes. House and Land Packages If you’re looking for a hassle-free homeownership journey, our house and land packages might be just what you need. They offer the convenience of a pre-selected home and block of land. Check out our complete guide to learn more about how these packages work. Knockdown Rebuild If you love where you live but not the house you’re in, a knockdown rebuild could be the perfect solution for you. With this option, you get to stay in your beloved neighbourhood while living in a brand-new home designed specifically for your lifestyle. Custom Home Design: Bespoke by Better Built At Better Built Homes, your home should express your personality and lifestyle. That’s why our custom home designs are tailored to meet your specific needs. As experienced custom home builders in Sydney, we collaborate with you to create bespoke homes that reflect your style and preferences, ensuring every detail aligns with your vision. Luxury Home Inclusions At Better Built Homes, we redefine the meaning of “standard”. We provide a broad range of modern home designs and offer an extensive list of luxury home inclusions. For a minimal upgrade fee of only $6,000 through our Inspire and Opulence promotions, you’ll receive luxury fixtures and fittings, which other builders usually consider as “extras”. Our opulence promotion, featuring 15 upgraded items, includes premium inclusions such as Actron ducted air conditioning, COLORBOND® steel roofing, solar panels, Caesarstone kitchen benchtops and vanities, a driveway, and other essential house features. We uphold the highest quality across all aspects of your home, keeping affordability in mind. Accessibility and Age Considerations It’s also important to consider any accessibility needs you or your family may have. Some people may need wider doorways or halls to accommodate wheelchairs, while others might need handrails in the bathroom for additional safety. When choosing a floor plan, it’s always wise to plan for the future. A single-storey home may be more suitable for those thinking long-term or planning to age in place. This design reduces the need for stairs, which can challenge people with mobility issues. Alternatively, consider incorporating features like a stair lift if you choose a multi-storey design. Creating A Dream Home With Better Built Homes Choosing the right floor plan is a significant step towards building your dream home. It requires careful consideration of your lifestyle, family size, and personal preferences. At Better Built Homes, we are committed to making this process as smooth as possible. With various modern home designs, flexible floor plans, and custom design options, we ensure your new home is just right for you. Ready to begin the journey towards your dream home? Contact us today, and let’s turn your dreams into reality.