Whether you are building your very first home, downsizing to a smaller place or need more room to accommodate your growing family, choosing the right floor plan for your new home can cause some serious dilemmas. There are many variables to consider, so it’s important to remain level-headed.
Here are some common mistakes you can easily avoid by staying in the right frame of mind.
When looking at floor plans, block widths, bedrooms and everything else, it can sometimes feel hard to picture how much space you really need. Have you considered whether you need a guest bedroom for friends and relatives to use? Are you expecting to have another child in the coming years? Will you really use that extra living room? Remember to think of the basics and you’ll have an easier time choosing the right sized floor plan.
A floor plan should fit your lifestyle, not the other way around. If you see a layout that looks great but doesn’t suit your lifestyle, don’t force yourself to change how you live in order to make it work. Think about what you want in a home and choose the best floor plan based on that.
Don’t get tunnel vision and forget about the surroundings. A big house might be what you want, but will it mean you have to give up on a spacious backyard for the kids? On the other hand, you may aim to spend most of your time indoors and happily let your house take up most of the land. You should also consider the climate of the area and if there are any views worth making the most of.
The way you furnish your home can have as much impact as the floor plan itself. If you choose to use your existing furniture, measure it out beforehand to make sure everything will fit. If you are buying new pieces, it’s still worth having an idea of what will go into each room. This will help you make the most of the space without over or under furnishing.
There’s always a temptation to go bigger and better, especially when you have your heart set on a particular plan. Don’t run the risk of overspending for the future: always budget with the present in mind, or you could be having some serious headaches down the track. Pick the floor plan that you can comfortably afford without constant financial strain – you’ll then have more left in the bank to spend on furniture or other essentials for your home.
Even after doing a checklist of all your practical requirements, you still need to trust your instincts. If a place seems to tick most of the boxes but doesn’t feel quite right, take the time to think about what might be bothering you. After all, your home should be a sanctuary where you always feel safe and comfortable.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The information contained in this article is intended to be of a general nature only. It has been prepared without taking into account any person’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, Fairhaven Homes recommends that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances and that you seek independent legal, financial, and taxation advice before acting on any information in this article.
