• Storage.

When online shoppers search for home plans, there’s a tendency to overlook closet space. With gazillions of details provided on

home plans resource sites, many blueprints include a room and closet’s as one  measurement. This means homeowners must confer with a home builder to verify the schematics and request any custom specifications.

Vehicle storage as in garage space hinges on a number of factors: how many vehicles owned, location, municipal codes and the preferred type of garage space (attached, unattached or a carport).  Consider convenience in transporting groceries into the home given the regions’ climate.

• Energy savings.

The water closet also dubbed as the restroom or bathroom represents another criterion for the suite home plan. Expansive rooms, designed to resemble a day spa has been trending for the last three years.  But energy efficiency is what many residential property owners tend to overlook in the home plan. Tankless water heater, high efficiency HVACs and geothermal heat pumps are critical components for long-term energy conservation. This energy saving concept applies to lighting too.

The federally sponsored ENERGYSTAR.gov website maintains a list of Energy Star certified products.

• Externally speaking.

Whether the dwelling is in Alaska or the Florida Keys, outside areas enhances seasonality. The ultimate home plan balances interior space with an exterior area. Whether it’s a backyard, patio or deck, greenery merged with seating and a designated area for playing or frolicking in the sun provides a multiple functionality.

What is your concept of a home sweet home plan?

Starting off with a single level domicile of one or two bedrooms, ranch house plans have always enabled its occupants room for  expansion.

The online home planning and home design resource site, House Plans and More attributes the popularity of the ranch house plan to its economical qualities. For heating and cooling, the single level home boasts an energy savings.

The ranch house plan dates the history books as 1557. A ranch was established in the valley Caracas by Francisco Fajardo. However, records credit Diego de Losada as the actual establishment of the city in 1567.

Cultural historian, Russell Lynes asserted this about the ranch house plan: “Nobody could mind it. It was not experimental enough to be considered ‘ugly’ by even the most conservative, and it was not tricked-up enough to be considered ‘ugly’ by the experimental. It was merely ‘nice.’ It was ‘unobjectionable.’ It was ‘homey,’ and it was said to be ‘practical.’ (Source: David Bricker, Architectural Historian California Department of Transportation). http://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins/suburbs/Bricker.pdf

The same observations about the ranch home ring true today. These domiciles resonate the meaning of efficient, but cozy living.

While many concur that the ranch house plan is ideal for economical, low maintenance living, one celebrity’s home went for millions to expedite a divorce settlement. “Little House on the Prairie,” child star, Melissa Gilbert and former spouse placed their Hollywood home on the market for $1.295 million.

Did you know, That HousePlansandMore.com inventories hundreds of ranch home plans?

Realtor.com reports that the ranch house plan is identifiable by six qualities: a low-pitched roof, an asymmetric, L or  -shaped house plan, a moderately sized overhang, a patio, picture windows,  a garage or attached carport.

What is your viewpoint of the ranch home plan?

Perchance, it’s timely to tear-down an old deck, gazebo or shed to resuscitate new life into the outdoor entertainment area. For awe-inspiring inspiration,  HousePlansandMore.com inventories a slew of  outdoor living photos. (Please click house plans to review the images of hundreds of outdoor living plans for the deck and backyard. The blueprints can be customized to a home’s scale and specifications.

A trellis. Serving as a divider in the outdoor entertainment area to a space saver on the deck, the trellis proves quite functional. The backdrop  fixture introduces foliage without sacrificing substantial space.  As for decking the outdoor living  floor plan,  select from –  an assortment of materials, rod iron, cedar, wood) to variety of styles. Next, remember to opt for a roving vine, conducive for the exterior space’s sun exposure.

A focal point. Spruce up a bare, drab exterior wall with artwork crafted of steel, rod iron and other weather resistant materials.

Accessorize. Hurricane candle containers and planters are not the only objects for accessorizing. Ornamental, eco-friendly lights create a quixotic atmosphere in the evening. In the furnishing department, seat cushions, outdoor pillows, and side tables complement outdoor entertainment.

Divvy up space. Introduce a mixed used outdoor living plan that merges relaxation, dining, and growing herbs.

Continuity.  Opt for planters related to the same color palette. For instance, earth toned potters blend well with a cedar deck.  Note that planter represent another approach to delineating space.

Shading. Use an umbrella for a shaded area to frolic with the iPad. For spaces beyond the table, consider Shade Sails (designed by Tenshon),  a durable canopy which resembles a yacht’s sail saver to create a canopy.

If possible….Without overcrowding the exterior space and when possible, add an outdoor entertainment caddy to store beverages, glasses, et al.

How will you enhance your outdoor living area this year?

According to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy (DOE) and House Plans and More a number of  methods and considerations  enable energy savings, green build ideas and  eco-conscious living. 

Think beyond fossil fuels. Architects over the last five years have been scaling back on green design plans and creating less construction waste to build green. The findings were released at the latest Home Builder’s Expo in Miami.

Explore house plan alternatives. Sometimes, energy efficiency is a matter of green design around the availability of natural resources with a reconstructed house plan. The Federal Housing Authority and some lending institutions laud Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) a smart way to  leverage a domicile’s value via green home design.

Geothermal is distinct from other green build and home design amenities, as it provides  a minimum of 30 percent a year on energy savings plus a return on investment within the first five years.

Geothermal energy is the type of renewable energy that affords an organic value.

The household unplugged. Reduce the monthly electric bill by 2 percent by unplugging light fixtures, electronics and even kitchen cooking appliances (i.e. toaster, coffeemaker, blender, etc.) used once a day.

Clean green. Manufactured household cleaning products contain exorbitant levels of volatile, organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to poor indoor quality. Researchers of the University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory concluded in a study that “When cleaning products and air fresheners are used indoors, occupants are exposed to airborne chemicals, potentially leading to health risks.”

Replace chemically enhanced cleaning products with a natural compound. For instance, for the home’s air vents: blend one ounce of vinegar with two ounces of water, mixed with an eighth of teaspoon of essential oils (i.e. tea oil, pine, lavender, etc.). Use concoction to wipe  the air vents clean.

Refresh the air.  Create a natural potpourri. In a sauce pan, mix two cinnamon sticks, one sprig of rosemary and three to four drops of frankincense in a one cup and a half of water. Simmer the mixture until the aroma emits throughout the abode.

For additional Earth Day or  house plan design concepts, House Plans and More says provides 7 ways to Build Green.

Sources:

• Federal Housing Authority, “ Energy Efficient Mortgage Home Owner Guide
• California Air Resources Board, “Indoor Air Chemistry: Cleaning Agents, Ozone and Toxic Air Contaminants”

Which specifications top the dream house priority list?

On HGTV’s  ”House Hunters” home buying television show couples often prioritize the list of must haves.

Almost seventy five percent of home buyers deem location as a priority of the dream house plan list, according to the National  Association of Realtor’s   survey results.

An area designated for  zoning out to sports, relaxation and game playing remains a must-have for some men. Referred to as theManCave, the room goes by the  monikers “the office,”  and ‘recording studio.”  “the fitness room.”

Which amenity is often overlooked on the dream house plan wish list?

Extra rooms are often understated on the dream house plan wishlist

The Wall Street Journal reported in February 9, that  multi-generation dwellings are popular as adult children and grandparents reside in the same home.

What is the latest wish list trend seen among home buyers?

Over the last five years, the dream home plan has been downsized to practicality. During the housing boom from 2001 through 2006, the mac mansions at on lot  with abbreviated outdoor space. These days, architects and developers report that  exterior spaces for entertaining, dining or cultivating a garden reign among the most popular trends

What else is vital to the  dream house plan?

The National Association of Realtors found that 87 percent of home buyers are concerned with heating and cooling costs in January 2012 survey.

Energy efficiency represents a vital component of buying a home. As homeowners investigate alternatives to curtailing the household budget, geothermal energy  enables savings over the life of the heating and cooling system.  The renewable energy converts, stores and reduces household energy  and offers free hot water over the summer months.

What amenity must your dream house plan include?

Architects, now weigh the cost efficacy of home design plans exuding green qualities and  energy efficiency. While home builders continue to recommend solar and geothermal energy,  the underlying objective focuses on improving the property’s value.

The former editor of Professional Builder, Heather Clune corroborates a similar home design finding that the term green has taken on more of a mandatory approach as architects conceptualize home plans which are more energy efficient for the homeowner.

In the online publication HouseandHome.com, architect and interior landscaper, Ron Holbrook transformed a diminutive-sized backyard. The outcome was an exterior  appointed in three functional spaces for alfresco dining, preparing food and a modest sized garden to cultivate botanicals.

Across the U.S., the theme for merging the outside space with the rest of the home is trending in the home design plans of 2012.  Designers are reporting that outdoor spaces are making a major splash, featuring all the components for socializing outdoors.

In the February 9, 2012 report, documented in the Wall Street Journal, exudes another popular style in home design plans. The major Floridian builder, Centerline Home is developing homes, highlighting an emphasis on the family room.

The same report also indicated a ramp up in home plans designed to accommodate  multi generations.  With more adult children  remaining in the nest longer, and extended relatives sharing occupancy, house design plans are comprised of  extra rooms quartered off from the rest of the domicile to provide privacy.

Designers are reporting that outdoor spaces are making a major splash, featuring all the details for entertaining.

For additional home design plans and trends, please click on House Plans and More.com. Please post your favorite house plan

Constructed of monolithic concrete to weather structural elements,  the underground, berm home plan may cost more upfront; however,  it is countered with lower operating expenses than a contemporary home.

Placement is mission critical for the berm home plan. A developer should construct the property facing  southern exposure.  As the berm house  plan is comparable to geothermal energy in that 46 percent of solar energy is absorbed into the ground, hence the berm home needs its share of sunshine.

Land prone to flooding is unsuitable for the berm house plan.

Energy efficient, berm homes do not necessitate the heating and cooling costs as other homes above ground. Moreover, these domiciles are not susceptible to bursting or freezing pipes, as a result home insurance costs are often less.

 The berm home plans goes by a few alias, such as: the hobbit hole and earth shelter.

When planning the development of an berm dwelling, evaluate how the home will use water and other resources.

Perhaps in the event of a disaster, the occupants of a berm home could survive an ice age, the effects of a meteorite hitting earth or the aftermath of a nuclear disaster. Well, at least it appears to be the inspiration and the trend for building a berm home plan.

At EarthSheltered.org, the site features completed and berm house plans in progress around the nation. A blogger, who has been living in a berm home for the last four months noted that moisture and humidity are an ongoing issue. However,  an expert from the website, Sustainable Sources advises that ventilation coupled with de-humidification  circumvent these air quality concerns.

What do you make of the berm house plan trend? Please visit HousePlansandMore.com to review berm home plans.

Some homeowners perceive the screen house as a low maintenance alternatinve for expanding for more  entertainment space.

Purposing
Designers and builders recommend that homeowners first determine how and where the grotto will achieve the purpose or function. Distinctive specifications are essential for the gazebo plan  designed to house a garden tub, entertain guests or host events. In many cases, a water line in close immediacy to the gazebo supplies the hot tub and/or the sink for the wet bar.

Strength
Durability and weather resistance represent vital components of the gazebo’s resilience to wear and tear. Then, to maintain the home’s continuity, gazebos should concur with the domicile’s exterior design and style. Ideally, the structure complements the garden and landscaping.

Note that gazebos are also available in a variation of styles and shapes: rustic, large,plain, octagonal, round, and on so on.

Sizing
The gazebo should be proportionate to the exterior space’s dimensions. HPM recommends that gazebos not exceed a fifth of the backyard’s size. Six-by-six feet is the minimum size limit a gazebo should be.

Location
Floor plan designers also advise homeowners to consider the location of the arbor, near a pathway when possible. To make the gazebo accessible, add cobblestones, slabs of marble or other solid yet sturdy material for the walkway.

R-Value of the Wood

Density or wood range of a log home plans’ determines its energy efficiency. The thermal resistance to heat flow and insulation account for a wood’s R-value. Higher wood ranges represent a wood’s “R-value of wood or thermal resistance. In the daytime, logs absorb heat, quite comparable  to a thermal battery. Once the sun goes down, the log house slowly releases the stored heat from the day. 

Air Leakage

Home comprised of logs are ripe for acquiring air leaks. Even air-dried logs contain a water rate of 15-to-20 percent.  Log homes are susceptible to developing air leaks.Over the first five years, logs shrink, creating gaps between the logs; and ultimately air leakage throughout the home, spiking the households’ energy costs.

Type of Wood

The best dried woods used to architect the log home plan include fir, spruce, cedar, pine, and larch. When the aforementioned logs are properly dried in a sheltered space, they are not as vulnerable  to contracting and expanding problems.

Minimizing Moisture

Managing moisture in the log home is critical to circumventing other serious problems.  Cabin and log homes are generally water porous, as they absorb water expeditiously, making these structures susceptible to wood rot. That’s why some homeowners opt for wooden logs that have been treated to repel water and prevent insect infestation (i.e. termites). Expansive overhangs married to adequately sized downspouts and gutters complement the ability to manage and minimize moisture.

Finally, log house plans have to adhere to building codes, mandated in  municipal bylaws. Please click log construction to read more about building a durable log home plan.

It was in the 19th and 20th centuries when the washstand was a vital bedroom furnishing equipped with a a pitcher, a sizable basin, a toothbrush jar, along with other toiletries. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, thanks to the hotel industry, the washstand evolved into an elaborate fixture, comprised of shelving, a mirror and different types of surfaces.

Mass produced, cottage furniture was a dominant piece of furniture in the master bedroom. The fixture served as a complete bedroom suite for the wardrobe, shoes and other personal possessions in the United States during the 19th century.

Wardrobe furniture lives an enduring history, traced as far back as medieval England, when it housed the king’s wardrobe. Today, the wardrobe bureau conserves space, while presenting functionality.For obvious reasons, the bed is mainstay in the boudoir. At one time the bed was made up of a pile of packed  hay. Today, the home design fixture is everything from expansive, tall, short, soft to hard.

With that the master bedroom exudes a tranquility  for rest and relaxation, ideally punctuated by an expansive closet space. Design consultant, Ruffin Costello reports that the New York decorator, Vincente Wolf approaches home design of the master bedroom, with an ostentatious approach. Mr. Wolf removes the bed from its comfort zone, away from the wall, positioning it diagonally.

Ms. Costello recommends the folding screen headboard, as it is an unexpected backdrop for the bed. Yet regardless how one decides how to redress the bedroom functionality mixed with a timeless furnishings personify its features.

Please click on house plans to peruse other home design ideas.