Floor Plan Consideration

Buyers will select a home partly on its floor plan. Clearly, a good floor plan is one that best suits the buyer’s individual needs. However, there are a number of general design features, which most buyers should be aware of, including:

1. Does the home have adequate living space in relation to the number of bedrooms? Is there sufficient room for relaxation and dining?

Some homes achieve this by having separate living, family and dining rooms. On the other hand, some designs, best avoided, have multiple bedrooms, maybe 5, 6 or 7, but only one living area which will not accommodate the occupants in comfort.

2. If the home has a swimming pool then, in addition to access via French doors or sliding patio doors from the living area, is there also a bathroom which permits direct ingress and egress to and from the pool area?

3. Again, if the home has a pool, is there also a covered porch to protect the owners from rainfall and from the fierce Florida summer sun?

4. Does the main entrance open directly to the living area or does it have a foyer or hallway to provide some privacy as well as a weather buffer?

5. Is the front door in easy reach of the kitchen?

Trips between the kitchen and the front door can be frequent. Alternatively, does the family entrance, usually a side or back door, lead directly into the kitchen? Ideally, the kitchen will be near the garage to minimize the distance to carry groceries.

6. Finally, how are the rooms arranged?

Is any room, aside from the dining room, accessible only through another room? For example, is a bedroom accessible only from a bathroom or even from another bedroom? For obvious reasons, this arrangement can be inconvenient.