Space and Versatility Define Home Plans with More Than Four Bedrooms

 

In the midst of the Tiny House Movement and concerns regarding the impact of a large house on the environment, why would a family go for a house plan with five bedrooms or more? Didn’t the McMansion style crash years ago?

Yes, the McMansion years are over. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual study revealed that the median size of a new single-family home completed in 2016 was 2,422 square feet – down from 2,687 square feet in 2015.

Unlike that time when Americans were swept up in the competition for the biggest, most lavish home, today’s families are focused on buying or building a “forever” home that checks all their must-haves and fits their lifestyle in a smaller footprint. But they still want more bedrooms, more bathrooms, and flexible space.

Welcome to the five-bedroom house plan, which offers the utmost in space efficiency and versatility.

 

What Are the Considerations for a Five-Bedroom Home Plan?

Without building or buying an opulent home, families have to consider several factors to determine the appropriate size for their needs.

•  Lifestyle – Do you have frequent overnight or weekend guests? Do you often have friends and relatives over for dinner or other social functions? Do you run a business from the house, or do you work from home?

•  Size of Family – If you have children, you have to think of their need for their own personal space. Will parents or in-laws live in the same house at some point in the future?

•  Hobbies – Are you interested in arts and crafts, sewing, meditating, or reading? Will you require a dedicated space for your hobbies?

•  Future Plans – Will this be a “forever” home that you can improve and renovate according to your future needs?

If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, then a house plan with five or more bedrooms may be an option for you because of the level of flexibility. Whether you have frequent visitors, entertain a lot, need space for a hobby, or have a large family, this home size will provide several design and decoration options. And when the children move out, the extra rooms can be converted to suit various functions without the hassle and headache of additional construction or expansion.

 

12 Design Options / Spaces

House plans with five or more bedrooms provide a family with the space and amenities found in palatial residences. A few of the luxuries typically found in houses of this size include open floor plans with high ceilings, lots of large windows, kitchen grills, relaxation spaces like covered patios and decks that connect the indoors to the outdoors, and multiple bathrooms. Well explore other features below:

 

1.  Gourmet Kitchen

Let’s start with a gourmet kitchen fit for a world-class chef and designed around your special expertise. Just imagine the kitchen of your dreams with new and shiny state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances, plenty of countertop space, a bottomless pantry of all the ingredients, pots, pans, and all the tools you need at a snap of your fingers.

Throw in a kitchen island with an easy-to-clean countertop, lots of cabinets, and drawers for rollout storage. Add stovetop faucets, gadgets, and accessories like frying stations, warming tables, and countertop steamers. Now you’re ready for some fun and challenges in the kitchen.

 

2.  Hearth/Keeping Room

A hearth room is now one of the must-haves in home plans with ample square footage. Designed as an extension of the kitchen area, the hearth room, with its signature fireplace, is a cozy and warm space where family members can keep the cook company – hence the name “keeping” room. Most families use the hearth room for casual entertaining and time together. Hearth/keeping rooms date back to Colonial times when families cooked meals around the only fireplace in the house – located in the kitchen. They were built adjacent to kitchens to “borrow” some of the heat from the kitchen stove. In the cold months, family members would sleep in the hearth room because it provided warmth and comfort. Even in those times, the hearth room was furnished with a couch and chairs for relaxation and conversation.

 

3.  Formal Dining Room

If you have an open-layout kitchen with a breakfast nook and eat-in kitchen island, why is a separate dining room necessary? It’s all about tradition, lifestyle, and preference. Some remember large family get-togethers in formal dining areas at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays. Clear memories of decorating and setting the table, bringing food from the kitchen to the dining room, and all the family stories linger for a long time.

While homes may be modern or contemporary inside and out, some families prefer to keep something old within their home: the tradition of gathering in a separate dining room for holidays and other formal occasions. 

 

4.  Stylish Master Suite with Sitting Room

In a number of plans, the master suite can be on the main level, one of the key parts of a “forever” home. In others, the sleeping/private quarters are situated on the second floor while all the social/entertaining areas are concentrated on the first floor. A spacious master bath usually comes with the master suite, along with his-and-her walk-in closets and plenty of storage space. A sitting room within the suite allows for relaxation, peaceful moments, and time for oneself.

 

5.  Spa-Like Master Bathrooms

One of the benefits of a big home plan is the space to have full baths in every room and half baths for guests’ needs. But there’s nothing like a master bath - with its soaking tub, double sink vanities, and all its amenities and modern fixtures – to go hand in hand with the stylish master suite.

 

6.  In-Law Suite/Guest Room

Thanks to a home plans versatility with five or more bedrooms, homeowners can easily prepare for unexpected living situations. The bigger home allows an elderly parent, in-law, or guest to move in and maintain their independence. Guest rooms are furnished with their own bathrooms and closets.

In-law suites may be built in the basement or on the main floor. Accommodations can include a full kitchen and a separate entryway.

 

7.  Home Office

Some homeowners choose plans with a larger number of bedrooms to ensure space for specific needs right from the get-go. This can include designated office space in the floor plan for a home business, a private gym, or a media room. If your option is an office for those “work-at-home” days, you can be creative in designing a smart and comfortable home office.

 

8.  Mudroom

What else do you need in a large house? How about a mudroom where everyone can hang coats, sports gear, backpacks, umbrellas, and hats – and store muddy shoes and snow boots before going into the house? While this area provides storage space and helps keep the main house clean, it also remains organized. Put in hooks and get enough bins for storage – and you’re ready to go.

 

9.  All-Purpose Room

With a five-bedroom or bigger house plan, you have the flexibility of designing a room to indulge the interests and hobbies of family members. You can create a room for multiple uses to suit your lifestyle, preferences, and needs. For example, you can do a combination sewing and crafts/hobby room, library/study, or a music/sitting room.

 

 

10. Game/Recreation Room

A dedicated informal gathering area gives you and your family another place in the house to gather together for some fun time. The room is also ideal for hosting friends on game nights of cards and billiards. If your family is not into the pool, you can also install a foosball or ping-pong table. Ensure comfortable couches and chairs where you and your guests can stretch out and relax while watching the action.

 

11. Home Theater

Not just a media room but a full-blown home theater is a popular option for new and bigger home plans – where the family can watch sporting events or host “movie nights.” The usual fixtures for this space are theater-style seating and a huge screen. But some homeowners prefer sectional sofas and chairs for a more relaxed and easy atmosphere as they watch their favorite movies. 

 

12. Decks, Patios, and Outdoor Spaces

With more square footage to play with, homeowners have a variety of attractive options for outdoor spaces. You can start with covered front and rear porches, sundecks, patios, and balconies and expand to grilling kitchens, outdoor living rooms, fireplaces, and water features. These trendy spaces extend the entertaining area to the outdoors and add to a home’s appeal. 

 

While there are challenges in finding the ideal home that meets large and growing families needs, house plans with five or more bedrooms with five or more bedrooms offer a variety of versatile and attractive options. With an adventurous spirit, innovative vision, and creativity, you can build and design a “forever” home that suits your lifestyle.    

 

Footnote: The top photo in this articles lead image is a 2-story, 5-bedroom Modern home with Contemporary influences. For more information, click here (Plan #161-1084).