Working with a professional custom home builder to create your dream dwelling is an exciting experience with a variety of steps involved. From choosing a location to deciding on exterior aesthetics, custom home building allows for an unprecedented amount of flexibility and tailor-made solutions. Your floor plan will factor heavily into your enjoyment of your new home, so it’s a step worth spending some time on—make this process a little easier on yourself by keeping the following tips in mind.

How to Choose a Floor Plan That Suits Your Lifestyle

Create an Inspiration Board

Create an inspiration board online or use a spare bulletin board for compiling floor plan images. Browse a variety of floor plans to come up with something that’s uniquely you without sacrificing practicality or going over budget. Review your ideas with your home builder to determine what’s possible and what may be too expensive or cost a lot in future maintenance and repairs. You may also want to tour the homes of friends and family or visit open houses in your area for ideas.

Think About Your Current Needs

Make a list of what you currently need in a floor plan, such as an open kitchen or a living room space ideal for keeping an eye on little children. Consider how many bathrooms you need, the purposes of specialty rooms like the basement, and whether you want your floor plan to extend outdoors to a patio area or outdoor kitchen.

Plan for the Future

Work with your home builder to design a home that accommodates your current needs as well as future requirements. Keep safety in the front of your mind, especially if you want children or already have little ones. Every staircase will need railings, for example, or you could opt for a ranch-style house that is all one floor. If you have elderly parents who might be living with you in a few years, this type of plan will eliminate the need for expensive stair lifts. Also, think about house flow in terms of current and future needs, such as bathrooms in close proximity to bedrooms or a large attached garage that doubles as an easy-access work area.

Walker Construction Company, Inc. has served nearly two generations of clients throughout Dothan, Enterprise, and Ozark, AL. This custom home design team has enjoyed accolades from the Home Builders Association of Alabama for their residential and commercial work, with each team member fully licensed and insured for your peace of mind. Call (334) 790-2706 today to set up a meeting or visit the team online for more service information. Like their Google+ page for additional home improvement tips.