Design the Perfect Home Floor Plan with Tips from a Pro

The Essential Guide to Choosing the Perfect Home Design: Tips from The House Plan Company

Building a new home is an exciting milestone, and selecting the right home design and floor plan is essential to making your dream home a reality. The process of choosing the best design can feel overwhelming, but it's an important step toward creating a functional, comfortable, and beautiful space for your family. Rick McAlexander, CEO of The House Plan Company, a leading residential plan marketing firm based in Oregon, shares four essential pieces of advice when selecting the ideal floor plan for your new home construction.

Define the Goals of Your New Home

The first and most crucial step in choosing the right home design is to clearly define the goals for your new home. This process begins by creating a “wish list” of the spaces, features, and amenities that best suit your family’s lifestyle. McAlexander emphasizes that this goal-setting stage lays the foundation for decisions such as the home’s size, style, layout, and budget.

"My biggest piece of advice to clients is that they give careful consideration to their goals for building a new home before beginning to look at design plans,” McAlexander explains. “When I meet with new clients, I start by asking several basic questions such as, ‘What is your plan for the home? Do you intend to live in it for the next 15 to 20 years or do you plan to sell it in several years?’ Then, we develop an outline and begin to look at floor plans."

Clearly defining your goals will ensure that the design you choose not only meets your current needs but also works for your future plans, whether you're settling in for the long term or building with future resale in mind.

Design Living Spaces to Suit Your Lifestyle

When it comes to designing the layout of your home, McAlexander advises considering how your living spaces will be used, both for socializing and for privacy. Families’ needs vary, and what works for one group may not be suitable for another. For example, families with young children typically prefer bedrooms and bathrooms grouped near each other, while families with teenagers may prefer more separated spaces for privacy.

“Many times, the number of floors is determined by factors such as building lot constraints and the need for privacy. We find that a number of clients gravitate toward a two-story floor plan because they want a clear separation of living space, especially those with older children, where the master suite may be located on the main floor and the rest of the bedrooms are on the second floor. If there are no land constraints with the lot, however, I recommend a single-level floor plan for the long term, as it offers the best aging in place option,” McAlexander says.

With thousands of home design plans available, McAlexander also encourages clients to customize any plan they like to better meet their unique needs. “With many of our clients, chances are they find a floor plan they really like, but it’s not quite perfect. That’s when we bring in one of our design professionals to modify or customize the plan to add the right personal touches. Ultimately, the house should be a reflection of your personality and lifestyle.”

Incorporate Outdoor Living into Your Home Design

Outdoor living spaces have become increasingly popular as families look to spend more time enjoying the outdoors. McAlexander notes that many of his clients are now requesting formally defined outdoor living spaces, which can present unique challenges in terms of cost and design.

“One of the biggest challenges with building outdoor living spaces, which can feature fully equipped kitchens and fireplaces, is that clients don’t necessarily take into account the additional cost to build this space as part of the total costs of home construction,” McAlexander explains. “The costs associated with this type of build-out will depend on several factors, such as the climate, whether additional coverage is needed due to moisture or direct sun, and the type of appliances installed. Appliances rated for outdoor use, such as fireplaces, stoves, and refrigerators, tend to be more expensive.”

The Edgefield 31378 floor plan from The House Plan Company is a great example of an outdoor living space integrated into the design. It features a vaulted, covered outdoor area accessible from both the Great Room and Dining Room, allowing for a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Don't Build More Space Than You Need

Overbuilding can be a costly mistake, and McAlexander has noticed that many homeowners are moving away from the concept of bonus rooms and opting for more intentional space planning.

“In the past, the concept of the ‘great room’ meant that people needed additional rooms for their own space, whether it be an office, media room, or hobby space, resulting in three- to four-bedroom floor plans,” McAlexander explains. “Today, great room designs have evolved to include more well-defined separations within the open living space, without the need for a third or fourth bedroom.”

One example is the Manor Heart 80138 floor plan, a ranch-style design that offers an open living concept where the great room, dining, and kitchen areas flow together but still maintain some separation, allowing for more efficient use of space without the need for unnecessary bonus rooms.

Key Trends in Home Design for 2023

As McAlexander observes, home design trends are continually evolving, with several key trends gaining traction in 2023:

• Aging in Place Designs: With more baby boomers opting to age in place, many are looking for designs that accommodate long-term living. Popular age-in-place floor plans include guest suites and caretaker quarters, such as the 64234 one-story, craftsman-inspired plan or the two-story Rosewood 30922 farmhouse-style design.

• Simplified Building Profiles: Home plans with simplified building profiles are becoming more popular as they help minimize construction complexity and cost, making them a cost-effective option for many buyers.

• Eliminating Bonus Rooms: The shift toward well-defined, multi-functional spaces in open-concept layouts has led to a decline in the need for bonus rooms. The Winter Park 95738, a bungalow-style design, features a great room floor plan with separate, easily accessible spaces for added privacy.

• Mud Rooms and Drop Zones: For active families, a well-designed mudroom or drop zone is increasingly a must-have. These spaces provide a practical solution for storing gear and maintaining cleanliness as you enter the home from the garage.

Jump ahead to design trends of 2025, the continued evolution grows with emphasis on functionality, sustainability, and multi-generational living. Here are some of the trends to watch for:

• Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Designs: With growing concerns about environmental impact and rising energy costs, sustainable homes are becoming a top priority. Builders and homeowners are opting for energy-efficient designs, incorporating features such as solar panels, high-efficiency HVAC systems, advanced insulation, and sustainable building materials. These homes are not only eco-friendly but also help reduce long-term operating costs.

• Multi-Generational Living: As families grow and aging parents often move in, the demand for multi-generational floor plans continues to rise. Homes with separate living spaces like guest suites, in-law suites, or private apartments within the main home are becoming increasingly popular. These designs allow families to live together while still maintaining privacy and independence.

• Home Automation and Smart Technologies: The integration of smart home technology is no longer a luxury but a necessity for modern homeowners. Home automation systems that control lighting, heating, cooling, security, and entertainment are expected to be standard in new homes. Additionally, energy management tools that allow homeowners to monitor and reduce energy consumption are becoming a major selling point.

• Flexible and Adaptable Spaces: As remote work becomes more permanent for many, the demand for flexible spaces continues to grow. Homeowners are looking for rooms that can easily transition from a home office to a guest room, or a hobby space to a children’s playroom. Open floor plans are evolving to include modular spaces that can adapt to the changing needs of the family.

• Health and Wellness Focused Design: As health-conscious living becomes a priority, homes are incorporating design elements that promote well-being. Natural light, indoor air quality, and biophilic design are increasingly important. Features like healthy building materials, wellness rooms, home gyms, and outdoor wellness spaces are being integrated into home plans to support mental and physical health.

• Minimalist and Functional Design: Clean lines, decluttered spaces, and functional designs continue to dominate in 2025. Homeowners are moving away from excessive ornamentation and focusing on creating spaces that are simple, organized, and purposeful. Smart storage solutions and multi-functional furniture are key components of this trend, offering more efficient use of space.

• Outdoor Living as an Extension of the Home: Outdoor living spaces remain a key design trend, but in 2025, these areas are becoming even more integrated into the overall home design. Outdoor kitchens, entertainment areas, and garden spaces are evolving into more sophisticated and functional extensions of the indoor living areas, making the outdoors an integral part of daily life.

Choosing the right home design and floor plan is an essential part of the building process. By defining your goals, designing spaces that match your lifestyle, considering outdoor living, and ensuring you don’t overbuild, you can create a home that perfectly suits your family’s needs. The House Plan Company offers a wide range of customizable floor plans, allowing you to create the ideal home without compromise. Whether you’re looking for a single-level floor plan, a design that allows for aging in place, or a layout with outdoor living spaces, our team can help guide you through the design process to ensure your new home is everything you’ve dreamed of.

Explore our collection of plans today to find the perfect design for your next build!