Best House Floor Plans

Spring cleaning and making modifications around the home go hand in hand.  As spring approaches, a slew of household chores and design tips serve as an affordable home makeover. Use the following checklist of spring cleaning and design tips to make around the home:

• Create a realistic cleaning schedule for each room. From dusting to organization, devise a checklist of tasks.

• Inventory the necessary cleaning supplies: paper towels, gloves, broom, mop, dust clothes, antibacterial household cleaners garbage bags, storage containers, et cetera.

• House Plans and More advises three effective ducting tactics: 1) Since, dust or fine particle matter moves down, begin spring cleaning on the highest floor of the home. 2) Start by using a  dry dusting cloth to clean surfaces and then move onto using cleaning solutions and water. 3) Sweep, vacuum and mop are the order for cleaning floors. The idea is to alleviate any floating dirt from resettling. 

• Don’t forget to clear, clean and reorganize those out of the way spaces, which are often dust magnets. 

• Once each room is dusted and vacuumed  change air filters more than six eight weeks old. 

Design Tip: Give rooms an update, rearranging furniture, improving lighting.

• In the refrigerator, be sure to remove all containers, jars and contents to clean each shelf with an antibacterial all-purpose cleaner. Place a box of baking soda to prevent refrigeration odors.

• Throughout the home, reorganize drawers, which contain a mélange of items. Find  a new place to store similar items.

Design Tip: Conduct a design assessment of each room. Remove outdated decorative accents.

• Remember to recycle or donate any household items that do not belong in a landfill.  

• In each room, start cleaning at the point furthest from the door. For a thorough clean, chart a cleaning path that does not require an traversing back and forth.

Design tip: For a refreshed look, reassign household embellishments, pictures, candles and such to other rooms.

 Click design tips to read more spring cleaning and home décor ideas.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, halogens and LEDs are light fixtures, which most green advocates deem more  cost and energy effective  than the incandescent bulb. But, when it comes to finding the appropriate lighting fixture for any room in the floor plan, many consumers are at a loss of how to layer lighting to innovate, or evoke the right iridescence. 

Review the following light fixtures to determine how to add luminosity to your home floor plan without the cost.

• Dimmable CFL light fixtures
• 3-way compact fluorescent light bulbs
• Compact flood light fixtures
• Triple Tune marathon

Each of the aforementioned light fixtures emits different light, and is designed to fit specific lamps, light pendants and recessed lighting. Since, the compact fluorescent bulb is in its infancy, compared with the incandescent bulb, the lighting possibilities remain uncharted and abounding for the contemporary to modern designed floor plan.

The underlying value of the CFL for any room in the home is to conserve energy costs, and lower greenhouse effects.

Also, consumers should beware that the lamp designed to work with the incandescent bulb is incompatible for the compact fluorescent lamp. Moreover, many compact fluorescent light bulbs are decorative, not requiring a lamp which makes this light fixture a bright ideas for any room of the floor plan.

Layering light is quite simple. Start with the entire room’s floor plan. Select a light which provides general lighting. Next, select a  light dimmer (preferably on compatible with a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb)  designed to provide ambient and task lighting. Next, pendant lighting fixtures or other decorative lighting that emit iridescence.

For additional information design ideas, click on Garden tubs or Kitchen Fixtures.

Maintaining a new or old home exceeds adding a new room or changing the schematics of the home plan. A myriad of small fixes do wonders for giving certain rooms of the home a space-lift. Best House Floor Plans compiled a short list  of design tips:

• Replace outdated or broken kitchen fixtures with new updated, eco-friendly appliances and products.

• When it comes to the floors, use the refresh, repair, or replace rule. Maintaining the floors on a regular basis alleviates the changes of making any major repairs or replacements. However, if there is any damage, taking care of it now will prevent investing in a replacement– later.

• Prior to making new furniture purchases, give the room a space-lift. There are five easy fast-fixes for renovating a room, without hiring a contractor:

• De-clutter – Discard unused, outdated or useless furnishing accents. Relocate any objects, which belong in another room.  Discard worn out items.

Home design tip: Remove each decorative accessory. Then, examine each piece to determine if all components concur with the rest of the design scheme.  Recycle or donate any hodgepodge decorative items.

• Dust baseboards and walls.

• Caulk any holes, gouges or dents in the wall.

• Paint any wall space needing a touch up or complete refreshing

• Reorganize and reset all decorative objects, creating a sense of symmetry among decorative items.

• Punctuate the exterior of the home with a decoratve mailbox that maintains the design scheme and the façade of your home  plan.

• Shuffle artwork. Instead of investing in a new collection of artwork, innovate new ways to showcase framed photography and masterpieces. For additional decorative ideas, visit House Plans and More, where there are more than 17,000 house plans and project ideas to put to work.

Space is premium in the kitchen. Today’s house floor plans don’t include the expansive walk-in pantry, characteristic of the Victorian house plan. With adequate cabinetry, drawers and cupboards above and below, every element of the kitchen finds order. A place to accommodate the pans, spices, food, utensils and entertainment ware, requires an intelligent administration of kitchen design and space. Organizing without promoting clutter and accentuating the kitchen’s aesthetic features are the keys to maximizing kitchen storage and space.

How to deter the propensity to collect clutter in the kitchen? 

Organization in the kitchen hinges on the furnishings. The full fledge renovation is unnecessary with the appropriate kitchen fixtures. Proper placement reduces the inclination to collect clutter, affording sufficient storage space.

Kitchen design tip:  Consider where the best place is to store kitchen appliances. Items that are not used often, (i.e. the fondue pot, wok,  can double as an element of the kitchen’s design scheme or can be stowed away in an accessible cabinet, open shelving or in a deep rolling drawer, underneath the kitchen island.

How to promote organization to maximize kitchen storage?

One of the cheapest techniques for updating outdated cabinetry, motivating organization and maintaining a mental inventory of supplies are the door-less cabinets. With the removal of kitchen cabinet doors, built-in shelves bare all. That means tableware; canned goods and such represent an aesthetic function. Moreover, it serves as an easy method of monitoring the food supply.

Kitchen design tip:  Be sure to organize similar objects with each other. For example, canned goods should be aligned with the label facing outward, revealing the contents. Magnetic spice jars keep the counter and cabinets clear of clutter.

Whether shelving is wood or stainless steel, choose between single shelving and freestanding shelf units. Wood shelves are feasible for luxe, traditional and contemporary kitchen design. In cases, where wood shelving is stained, choose a low VOC paint to give shelves an updated makeover. (Select matching shelf liners) Low maintenance, stainless steel cabinets work in the urbane – to industrial designed kitchen. 

How to organize cabinet space for efficient kitchen storage?

Nothing compares to a well-organized kitchen cabinets. To improve efficiency, traffic flow and alleviate breakage, map out which cabinets accommodate the tableware, canned foods and infrequently used appliances.

Kitchen design tips:  Consider the kitchen’s spaces overall landscape of food preparation, dining, and other traffic considerations.  Choose adjustable shelving. Remember to leave adequate room around plates, cups and other ceramics to alleviate breaking or chipping.

For more about maximizing kitchen storage and space, visit Home Plans and More.com.

Winterizing the home is a chore that no one likes to do. But, it goes far in conserving on the energy bill, shutting out chilly temperatures and reducing the carbon footprint.  Best House Floor Plans compiled a short list of winterizing tactics to keep the home buzzing with warm efficiency:

Plastic wrap

Cover windows and storm doors with a sheet of plastic, designed to maintain insulation.

Caulk

If certain areas of the home are drafty or feel cooler than other rooms,  investigate the source of the chill. Windows and doors are notorious for developing miniscule cracks, which impede the energy efficiency of the home.  Caulk cracks around doors and windows.

Drainage

Be sure to insulate any exposed pipes and drain all backyard hoses The aforementioned steps can prevent pipes from freezing. In case of an emergency situation, in which the water mains have to shutdown, it’s a commonsensical idea to reacquaint yourself with the location.  
 

Furnace

About every three to four years, have the furnace duct cleaned. To assure clean air quality, do not forget to change the filter to the furnace, monthly. Also, shop around for a special blanket to keep the hot water heater functioning properly.

Insulate

In the northern states, where winter temperatures plummet below freezing, extra insulation is beneficial for the prevention of ice dams around downspouts and gutters. Consider insulating any overhead crawlspaces and attics.
 

Fireplace

While fireplaces render ambient warmth, there are several safety steps to heat up the winter season. Hire a contractor to inspect the hearth’s brick and mortar as well as the damper. During maintenance, have the contractor clean the chimney. (Remember to store firewood in a dry space, outdoors).

On a final note, make sure that carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are in working order. At House Plans and More.com, read additional details pertaining to winterizing the home. 

Related topic:

• Child Proofing

How to create an idyllic space for company. Design information for embellishing the guesthouse plan

Guest house plans acclimatize company with accents emblematic of a spa. Imagine a luxurious space that feels like a peaceful respite from the rest of the home and accommodates guests. Designed with the elderly parent, visiting children or other frequent houseguests, guest house plans are the blueprint to unwinding company and promoting relaxation.

We gleaned several guest house plan tips at HousePlansandMore.com. Here are the findings:

Privacy. Although the House Plans and more points out that “a guest house can also be converted to a home office,” Best House Floor Plan considers an in-home spa, tucked away from the main action as the utmost alter ego for the guesthouse.

Closet Space. To get away from the traditional closet space, we went to House Plans and More to shop for a built in storage space, which appears as a cabinet. The one that appears in this photo, about organizing closets, departmentalizes coats, shoes, hats, and miscellaneous items. The storage cabinet is comprised of deep drawers, cabinets and shelves.

If the guest house floor plan is stocked with a large closet, House Plans and More reminds us that real guesthouse hospitality means not using the space to store household inventory, clothes and exercise equipment. Also, we learned that two-tiered closet rods maximize hanging space.

Based on our research, we decided to incorporate these design ideas to the guest house plan:

-    We chose earthy tones of sienna, sea green and a light turquoise to instill a sense of natural tranquility.

-    Replicating a spa-like ambiance, we opted for guest house plans with genuine timber, marbles, and sustainable materials.

-    To decorate with multifunctional amenities, we chose various sized pillows in divergent patterns, but the same color scheme to add tangible comfort.

-    Intensifying a tranquil environ, aromatherapy, infused soy candles were thoughtfully displayed to evoke a sense of calmness.

As for additional guest floor plan ideas, review these luxury mansion house plans.

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The Guest House: A Visitor’s Home Away From Home

Entryways don’t require all the decorative details that other rooms of the home demand. It doesn’t take much effort to transform dismal into a stunning entranceway.

Step 1
Starting with the basics, remove everything in your entryway, including pictures, plants and wall ornaments. Clean the ceiling, walls and floor.

Step 2
Next, now that the room is empty, allow the imagination to run wild. Consider the type of mood you hope to evoke when visitors enter.

Step 3
Consider your wall alternatives. To make your entryway appear expansive, select light colors, offering iridescence. Light greens, pale blues, beiges, and canary yellows are a few hues, which inspire a sense of cheeriness.

Floors can make or break any entryway.  Between tile, wood finishes, and bamboo, there are several floorings to consider.

Step 4
Select the best accents. A mirror, pedestal, magnificent vase, distressed cabinet coat rack, pendant lighting, cabinet, bench and or plants are the usual entryway objects of attraction. While it’s acceptable to intermingle eclectic accessories, country and modern furnishings, be sure to pool decorative accents that maintain the entryway’s design continuity.

Step 5
Keep the transition from the entryway to the rest of the home as seamless as possible. In other words, an ultra modern entryway does not bode well with the elegantly designed great room.

Optional Entryway Home Design Tip:

For the walls or floor of your entranceway, consider mosaic tiles of various colored hues. The visual appeal presents an element of texture and depth. Using a favorite theme (nature, abstract or whatever), make this the focal point on either the wall or the floor background. This design tip alleviates the need to use other decorative embellishments.

Related home design tips articles:

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Foyer and Entryway Decorating Tips and Ideas

Decorate Your Entry or Foyer

Cottage home plans evoke a sense of comfort, coziness and simplicity. Nonetheless, the cottage home is not synonymous with drab or bland. It does not denote country décor either. Rather, high-end design ideas tend to juxtapose the cottage home plan, breathing contrasting aesthetic qualities. Starting in the kitchen, where people tend to linger, here are a few design ideas:

Spruce up the cabinetry.
In the cottage home as well as other domiciles, cabinetry accounts for expansive focal points of the room.  Kitchen cabinets can take the space from mundane to high-end. For instance, KraftMaid produces well organized, pullout and roll out cabinets that epitomize the wow factor.

Cottage Home Kitchen Cabinet Design Tip: To give the cottage home kitchen depth, intersperse various sized cabinets.  Also, the same concept works anywhere in the cottage home where built-in cabinets are part of the room.

Adorn windows, in eco-friendly fashion.
Using window dressings as an example, bamboo blinds provide texture with eco-design qualities. Since, bamboo is not grown with pesticides and promotes oxygen, it makes for an organic window furnishing.

Consider your material options.
Instead of opting for the typical kitchen wall backdrops (granite, marble, stainless steel), consider a jeweled collection of mini tiles randomly displayed over the kitchen sink and stove. As seen on HGTV, this idea illustrates an artistic element to the working area’s background. Not to mention, it’s a timeless décor. Add extra dimension with contrasting hues of tile.

Additionally, research and shop around for other sustainable materials. Be sure to punctuate the kitchen with accessories, (canisters, spice racks and toasters) with a solid colored contrast to your walls.

The aforementioned ideas are just of few design ideas on dramatizing the cottage home.

Check out the Internet’s best cottage home plans

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Laundry rooms and mudrooms deserve green love too. Just because these rooms accommodate dirty duds, soiled shoes, and pet traffic, does not mean there are things you can do to rejuvenate the laundry room and mudroom with green qualities.

Replace flooring.
Certain types of flooring are gaseous and contain toxic chemicals that are bad for your pet’s health. For better air quality, do not use carpet, rugs or vinyl floors. These elements are known to release allergens that promote poor air quality.

Bamboo is an eco-friendly, renewable resource with minimal toxins. The flooring is preferable to other types of material for several reasons. Generally, since it is a weed, it does not contain pesticides. More importantly, because it reintroduces oxygen, it’s an optimal material for keeping the mudroom and laundry room clean.

Reuse your lint.
If your attire is made of natural or organic materials, your lint can double as mulch. Spread lint from the dryer on bare spots of your lawn. It not only prevents erosion, but also thwarts weed cultivation. However do not let the lint-mulch make contact the stems of your plants.

Remove pet urine.
Bid adieu to pet urine odors with an eco-friendly solution of white distilled vinegar. As this green tactic works on any material conducive for moisture, allow the vinegar to sit for an hour or more. Next, thoroughly rinse and dry the area. Then, saturate with a sprinkle of baking soda and a light mist of water. Let the two compounds set into the fabric for three to four hours before vacuuming the mixture.

Reorganize chaos.
Although the laundry room and mudroom tend to serve as the catchall for clutter, nothing maintains better order than a wicker, bamboo or a recycled plastic container. Make sure the container has several compartments and complements the your laundry room or mud room’s décor.

If you’re feeling a bit zealous, you can create your own laundry detergent. Click here to read the article.

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If you’re thinking about transforming an extra bedroom into a cozy study or library BestHouseFloorPlans.com gleaned several winning interior design tips and ideas from HGTV, HousePlansandMore.com and other interior designers. Here’s what we learned about designing a study:

Basic interior designs are applicable to designing the study. The premise of the study is based on the fundamental principles of interior design: color, balance, scale, proportion. This translates into selecting furniture, wall art and accessories that are harmonious in nature to your study’s décor.

Types of Study themes

E.-library. This modern day study is also dubbed as an e-library or media room. Reminiscent of the millennium age of electronics, consider using an HDTV flat panel screen to double as your computer monitor.

Victorian Parlor/study. Originally, the study was inspired by the Victorian parlor library. For the antique collector, the Victorian inspired study exemplifies the ultimate showcase for refined elegance and comfort.

Continental study. The continental study does not necessitate the pomp and circumstance of the Victorian parlor or an e-library. Emphasized by statuesque floor to ceiling shelving, furnishings from various eras come to congruence – especially when an extensive book collection takes centerstage.

Study interior design tip. To introduce an element of drama, consider replacing windows with French doors.

Furnishing Ideas for the Study
Select furnishings compatible with the schematics of your study. The study is conducive for mixing and matching antiques with modern furnishings.  Desks and chairs fashioned like Frank Lloyd Wright’s innovations meld well with modern light fixtures.

At House Floor Plans and More, we found the inspirations to create our own enclosed bookcase, with doors shielded in tempered glass, constructed of cherry wood.

Other Furniture Accoutrements for the Study

•    An armoire
•    Reclining chairs
•    Comfortable sofa
•    Lighting fixtures (lamps, recessed lighting, hanging pendants.
•    Wall-to-wall Bookshelves
•    Artwork
•    Credenza or desk
•    Oriental rugs

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