Living Large in a Modest-Size Home

 

My first house after getting married was a 980-square-foot two-bedroom Ranch-style home. When our second child was on its way, it became obvious that we were going to be stretched for space. We needed to find a bigger place!

It’s not unusual for a young couple to start off married life in a small home of less than about 1,000-1,500 square feet. Then the children start to come along, and space gets tight. Even more typical these days are Baby Boomers facing the empty nest syndrome, where the family has moved on and the married couple face living in a too-big house.

That’s where the 2000-2500-square-foot house plan comes in. Like the momma bear’s porridge, chair, and bed in the “The Three Bears,” that size home plan is not too big, not too small – but just right. In fact, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the median-size single-family home currently being built in the United States new-construction housing market is 2,445 square feet.

We take a look at this house-plan segment to discover 10 popular features that house plans in the 2000-2500-square-foot range have to offer. And there is no lack of selection in architectural styles. From Craftsman to Country or Farmhouse to Ranch and more, you are sure to find something that strikes your fancy.

 

1.  Open Floor Plan

One of the hottest trends in recent years, the open floor plan – in which the kitchen, dining room, and family room are open to each other, without walls – makes the space seem larger and is conducive to family living and entertaining. It is a no-brainer for smallish family homes.

 

2.  Large Kitchen with Plenty of Storage

Talk to anyone with experience managing a home, and you will hear the same thing: the kitchen – the heart of the home – is the most important space in the house. No matter what size the home, you should maximize the kitchen space and make sure it has plenty of storage, with lots of cabinets and if possible, a walk-in or closet pantry.

 

3.  Ceilings at Least 9 Feet High

A sure-fire way to make a smaller home live larger is with high ceilings. The more volume inside the shell of the house, the larger it will feel. If you can afford to have 9-foot-high ceilings – or even 10-, 11-, or 12-foot-high ceilings in certain entertaining areas ­– you won’t regret it once you step into the expansive space.

 

4.  Master Suite on Main Level

Popular especially among Baby Boomers – and almost by definition empty nesters – the master suite on the main floor is almost becoming universal in new construction. It eliminates the worry of having to negotiate stirs in advancing years and makes one-level living possible even in a two-story home, with extra bedrooms upstairs. Highly recommended for your move-up (or down) new house.

 

5.  Large Master Bathroom with Double Vanities and Compartmented Toilet

You’ll want to pamper yourself in your new home, and what better way than with a luxurious bathroom with all the space and amenities you desire. Double vanities is de rigueur in the master bath these days; separate vanities/sinks, say each one on it own on each side of the room, is even more fashionable. And don’t forget the water closet, or compartmented toilet, for privacy.

 

6.  His and Her Walk-in Closets

Continuing the pampering theme of tip number 5, his and her closets are a decadent but enjoyable feature if you can manage it in your new home. Clothes seem to have a strange way of multiplying over the years, so why not have your own roomy closet to store them?

 

7.  Mudroom Side Entry

An active family needs a place where the kids can come in without your worrying about them messing up the house or the gardener of the house can enter after working the soil and not have to worry about muddy boots. So you should make sure you plan ahead an include a side entry (often off or near the garage) with a closet and seating as a mudroom.

 

8.  Laundry Room on Main Level

Having a laundry room on the main living level makes so much sense, especially considering that laundry areas were usually relegated to the basement in days gone by. Why not make it convenient to do that inevitable chore by placing the space where you do most of your living?

 

9.  Front Porch and Rear Covered Patio/Deck

Becoming ever-more popular in recent years, the classic front porch is the perfect welcome for guests and the perfect relaxation spot to watch the world go by. Speaking of relaxation, a house design with a wraparound porch or even a covered rear patio or deck extends your living area by giving you extra space out of the weather. Both front and rear porch (or patio) make the smaller home seem that much larger.

 

 

10.  Lots of Closets and Storage

You can never have too much storage, so make sure your new house is outfitted with plenty of closets; sufficient cabinets in the kitchen, laundry, and bath areas; built-ins where appropriate; and a garage sized slightly more than the needs of your vehicles to provide space for the inevitable “extras” like lawn mower, power tools, and other garden and workshop paraphernalia.

 

Isn’t it time gather up your favorite features from these 10 and get started on searching for your own dream house?

 

Footnote: The lead (top) image in this article is a 2,402-sq.-ft., 1-story, 4-bedroom Country-style home. For more on the home, view: (Plan #141-1125)