Crafting the Perfect Blueprint: A Guide to Designing a Custom Floor Plan

Article Written by: Beaver Homes & Cottages

The design of a custom home can be very exciting but requires a clear vision and attention to detail in order to express the personal tastes and suit the lifestyle of its occupants. When each room and space is put together in a thoughtful and intentional manner, a custom floor plan will be the blueprint for an attractive, functional and comfortable home, specific to the way your family lives, works and plays.

Where to Begin:

At this point you will have your building lot and know the parameters to which you can build, as well as any zoning requirements, setbacks, etc. You will also have decided your budget. These factors will help determine what size of house you can build and what features you can include.

Think About Your Needs:

Consider everything you'll want to include. Start by determining who will be living in the house and for how long.

How many bedrooms will you need and what size will they need to be?
- Consider furniture sizes and layout.
- Walk-in closets or standard 24” deep wall closets?
How many bathrooms will you need?
- You will need at least one main bathroom that include space for a 60” long x 36” wide tub or shower, 36” of width for a toilet and a minimum of 30” of width for a single vanity. Account for a minimum of 60” from the wall behind the toilet to the opposite wall for sufficient leg room.
- Will you also want a dedicated ensuite from your primary bedroom? Ensuites can be as straightforward or as elaborate as you desire to include a soaker tub, large shower with dual shower heads, double vanity sinks and an entirely separate room for your toilet.
- Note: the measurements listed above do not necessarily accommodate barrier-free requirements, and if are needed, a qualified design professional can advise accordingly.

Think about the layout:

Now that you have determined what you will need, you can piece everything together. Give careful thought to traffic flow, privacy and how the occupants of the home interact. We’ll expand on some key elements.

Things to Consider:

Your lot will play an important role in the first steps of designing your custom home. You may want to orientate your house to take advantage of the morning sun in your kitchen, or special views, such as a lake that you’ll want to frame with your living room windows.

An open-concept layout generally makes a space feel larger, so it’s worthwhile to consider for smaller footprints.

Kitchen:
- There are plenty of options when it comes to kitchens so we’ll break down some important aspects to consider.
- A typical island cabinet starts at 24” deep. A breakfast bar typically starts at 12” deep but can go up to 24” deep or more. Account for 42” between your island and other cabinets and walls.
- Consider storage, whether it’s a separate walk-in pantry or even a bank of pantry cabinets.
- Keep in mind some general space requirements you will need for your plumbing fixtures and appliances: refrigerator – 38” wide, oven – 31” wide, dishwasher – 24” wide, kitchen sink – 36” wide. These will vary with different manufacturers and products but will serve as a starting point.
- Are there any other features you will want to include to personalize your kitchen? Coffee station? Built-in desk for blogging recipes?
- Designer Tip: Consider access to a walk-in pantry through built-in cabinet doors for a stylish and integrated look.

Laundry:
- Considering the important role they play in the functionality of the home, laundry rooms serve well in a centrally located area of the home, such as near the bedroom area.
- Allow space for a washer and dryer (generally 30” wide x 33” deep for each appliance plus 4-6” for hoses and venting) as well a laundry sink and storage for detergent, laundry baskets, etc.
- Front-loading appliances provide the benefit of running a counter over top for a convenient laundry folding surface and offer space for built-in storage or hanging rods above.
Other Spaces:
- In addition to the essential rooms and spaces that make up your home, you may also need additional spaces that we mentioned earlier.
- For in-law suites there will be additional requirements, such as sound-proofing and fire separation. A qualified design professional will handle these requirements on the construction plans.
- Don’t forget the linen closet! While the bigger the better, even the smallest nook or niche can serve as storage for essential household items.

Next Step:

Now that you've crafted your perfect blueprint and you’re ready to move forward with the design and build process, a Beaver Homes & Cottages design consultant can help you bring your vision to life!

Crafting the Perfect Blueprint: A Guide to Designing a Custom Floor Plan

Where to Begin:

Think About Your Needs:

Think about the layout:

Things to Consider:

Next Step:

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