Storage. It’s a much-needed element in any home. And, we rarely hear homeowners say they have too much storage. But, that square footage costs money, and now averages upwards of $150 per square foot. Let’s say you have a 6’ x 10’ closet space; that’s 60 square feet, or approximately $9,000. That means storage space is expensive. One way to mitigate the expense is to include a well-designed storage system. They not only maximize space; they help you organize your stuff—and your life!
Areas where you can maximize storage space without adding square footage include extra shelving over your washer and dryer, under the stairs, or in the garage – again, storage systems are an excellent way to organize and contain items; also, think suspended shelves or shelves above your garage door tracks.
Specialized Storage. Do you dream of a huge kitchen pantry? How about a cedar closet for your households’ off-season clothes? Where will you stash the 36-roll package of toilet paper? Do you have room for the grand-kids’ toys and games? Is a wine room in your future? Wouldn’t it be great to have a handy place for your Christmas tree?
Over the years we’ve often heard homeowners requesting specialized spaces to accommodate their own unique needs. Gathering up all the ideas, we created what we call a Signature Space® – a small flex space/room measuring 6’ x 8’ that can be used however the homeowner wishes. The Serena (#42282) plan’s Signature Space could be used as a craft room, toys/games room, or customized storage.
Our Livability at a Glance™ color-coded floor plans help home buyers focus in on the elements they desire most in a home: Storing, Flexible Living, De-Stressing, andEntertaining. As in the Tillamook (#43038) plan, the different areas of the home are identified by color (Storing is orange) so you can visualize where storage is located/could be located. Using our Livability Search Tool, you choose which area(s) of the home are most important to you and those plans identified as being strong in this area(s) will filter into your plan search. Which of these four areas are most important to you? Take our Livability at a Glance Quiz to find out!
Open floor plans are favored by buyers who enjoy entertaining. This is most noticeable when it’s time to eat. Enjoy having friends and relatives over for holiday meals and there’s 14 of you together? That’s when you’ll appreciate selecting a home design where the dining area flows freely into an adjoining space. Add leaves to your dining table or simply add another table, temporarily borrowing space from that adjoining room. That makes for memorable entertaining, with friends and family as everyone’s together.
The Waterside (#7408) plan offers multiple spaces for entertaining: great room, hearth room, eating area off the kitchen, and a formal dining room/flex space as well as a rear covered patio. The dual-sided fireplace between the hearth room and the great room conveys a unique ambiance that connects the spaces. In addition, the raised eating bar in the kitchen is a wonderful spot for additional seating or a convenient spot to set up the buffet!
Our Livability at a Glance™ color-coded floor plans help home buyers focus in on the elements they desire most in a home: Entertaining, De-stressing, Storing, and Flexible Living. As in the Waterside plan shown, the different areas of the home are identified by color (Entertaining is yellow and Flexible Living is green) so you can visualize where the entertaining can take place. Using our Livability Search Tool, you choose which area(s) of the home are most important to you and those plans identified as being strong in this area(s) will filter into your plan search. Further, if you would like to see what areas are most important to you for your home’s design, take our Livability at a Glance Quiz!
“It’s a waste of time waiting around for the delivery driver, but if I don’t, I’m always worried my package might not be there then I get home.” “I may sell a dozen kits over the weekend [home-based business], but what I dread is having to plan my day around waiting for the delivery driver to pick them up.”
It’s almost become commonplace to hear about packages being stolen off porches, especially during the holidays, which is very disheartening. Whether it’s a package being delivered or shipped out, you want it to be secure. There are apps that you can use in conjunction with a delivery service where the driver can open your garage door (or front door) and leave/take packages. But, how do you guarantee this is safe? We’d like to think delivery drivers are reputable and honest and won’t take advantage of having access to our garage, even our house in some cases. This is where the Shipping Vestibule design is a nice alternative.
In the Leinart plan #29336, notice the shipping zone to the left of the front entry. There’s a secure closet accessed from the porch by your delivery driver keeping your home deliveries safe (you could install the app on this door for added safety and limit access to your home). Similarly, if you sell a dozen items online over the weekend, the shipping zone is ideal for packaging those items that you can then place in that shipping closet. No longer do you have to wait around for that delivery driver to drop off or pick up your items!
Talk to one of our plan specialists to learn more and see how a Shipping Vestibule can be incorporated into your home design!
Cover photo: <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/business”>Business photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com</a>
Are you plugged in? Whether it’s outdoor entertaining, yard work, or a project you do in the driveway, it seems there’s never an exterior electrical box where you need to plug things in. So, when that sunroom is being added or your dream home is being built, adding a couple more electrical boxes when the electrician is already at your home is a minimal expense you’ll often be glad you opted for.
And, with the holidays approaching, few things warm the heart as much as attractive holiday light displays. But stringing extension cords all over can be daunting – and hazardous. Adding electric outlets in the eaves under the roof overhangs as well as an outlet strategically located in the yard makes holiday lighting a pleasure. Be sure to have the electrician wire a switch inside the home to turn those lights on and off.
This last installment focuses on how ‘Homes Talk to Women’ through her personality. And, we’ll find out what Jacob and Aimee decided for their new home.
Our research also unveiled four primary home buyer personas that have an uncanny likelihood of predicting interest in certain aspect of the home. Let’s take a look into these four personas:
contemporary
work/life balance
form over function
edgy
goal oriented
individualistic
my home is unique
traditional
work/life balance
function over form
practical
family oriented
predictable
my home is my haven
formal
work/life balance
form and function
sophisticated
quality driven
detail oriented
my home makes a statement
casual
work/life balance
function over form
spontaneous
project/activity driven
free spirited
my home is carefree
With these characteristics in mind, how does each persona’s design preference differ and why? Let’s take front entries as an example. Almost everyone wants their front entry to say “Welcome.” Yet according to a ‘Margo’ in our office, “Our front entry views say ‘Cool’, with an open loft feel, leading to the great room with 10’ flat ceilings and contemporary kitchen. Homes with rustic finishes or a narrow entry say, ‘Not for me!’” In contrast, an ‘Elise’ insists on a front entry, “An open front entry says, ‘Welcome to our home’, an entry coat closet says, ‘Here, let me take your coat; make yourself at home.’” ‘Margo’ wants the wow-factor and a unique design, while ‘Elise’ is more traditional and practical.
Meanwhile…
Photo Courtesy: iLumigreen
After exploring their options, Jacob and Aimee have decided they want to buy new rather than remodel a resale home. They’re looking for a big walk-in closet and an eating area large enough to accommodate guests. Aimee’s dad is an electrician, so based on her experience and knowledge she’s keen on LED ceiling lighting without cans, quiet bath fans, and power outlets with USB charging. As newlyweds with good jobs and visions of a larger family, nice-size secondary bedrooms with larger closets are a higher priority than high-end fixtures and finishes. Aimee is thinking about a nursery within earshot of their bedroom, and how important it is for Jacob to have a place for video games – how he likes to unwind after work. Aimee’s an Elise with some Margo tendencies. Storage that is practical and maintenance-free gives back time for more important things. But she has already picked out some unique light fixtures and is leaning towards slate gray cork wood flooring. It’s all a part of her story – past, present, and future!
We invite you to learn more about the four personas and take our Finally About Me!® quiz to discover your new home personality. And, these other great articles regarding personas and design preferences:
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Are you plugged in? Whether it’s outdoor entertaining, yard work, or a project you do in the driveway, it seems there’s never an exterior electrical box where you need to plug things in. So, when that sunroom is being added or your dream home is being built, adding a couple more electrical boxes when the electrician is already at your home is a minimal expense you’ll often be glad you opted for.
