Part four of our comparison of three top-selling one-story home plans around 1,600 square feet in size, examines these designs through the Entertaining, lens, the third of the four “lenses” that home buyers tell us they use to evaluate a home’s livability.  Of course, different people have different entertaining preferences (formal/casual, indoor/outdoor, conversation-based/activity-based, etc.)  But whatever type you enjoy, they all center around places in the home we gather.

The Shelton Farm’s entertaining area is wonderfully open, bringing everyone together.  With room for a pull-out wastebasket next to the sink, its 7-foot island with snack bar is the most accommodating of these three home plans.  The family room’s ceiling increases from 9-foot to 10-foot high, and positioning the fireplace in the corner provides unobstructed views out the back.  With no walls or obstructions, this design’s dining area can temporarily expand into the Family room for big holiday meals.

At 80-inches wide, the Jensen Falls’ front entry is the roomiest of these three designs.  It also features a 10-foot high ceiling which extends through the kitchen, family and dining rooms, furthering this home’s feeling of spaciousness.  The Jensen Falls boasts the largest Family room of these three plans, and like the Shelton Farm, this layout features a corner fireplace alongside two tall windows. 

Jogging the dining room out the back provides room definition as well as space for a hinged door leading onto a 15’-8” x 12’-0” covered deck or patio – perfect for entertaining, grilling out, or taking in a remarkable sunset.  However, that door swing will impact your table and chair placement (unless you specify an “outswing” door.)  Both the Locklear and Shelton Farm utilize sliding doors onto the rear patio or deck.

Thoughtful touches are evidenced in the Locklear’s front entry, where sunshine streams through a sidelite, a closet accommodates your guests’ coats, and a high ceiling is carried through the family room, where tall windows flank the fireplace.  Importantly, only the Locklear provides a guest (powder) bathroom.

A recessed display (between the coat closet and staircase) frames your favorite artwork or photos.

Here in installment #3 of our comparison of three top-selling one-story home plans around 1,600 square feet in size, we turn to Storing, another of the four “lenses” that home buyers report using to evaluate a home’s livability.  At Design Basics, we have learned the three keys to storage are: sufficient square footage devoted to storage; locating storage right where it is needed; and maximizing storage with organizational amenities.

Bedroom Closets.  At 37 lineal feet, (based on double rods and shelves) the Shelton Farm’s Suite walk-in closet offers the most storage, compared to 32 lineal feet for the Locklear and a surprising 31 lineal feet for the Jensen Falls.  More than adequate closet space feels so good!  Having walk-in closets in bedrooms 2 and 3, the Shelton Farm also easily outscores the two other homes in terms of closet accommodations for secondary bedrooms.

Kitchen. All three homes offer walk-in pantries, but at 6’-2” x 4’-9”, the Locklear’s pantry provides the most storage potential.  Being 7-feet long, the Shelton Farm’s island has room for a pull-out wastebasket/recycling drawer next to the sink.  Unencumbered by a sink and dishwasher, the Locklear provides the most island storage.

GARAGE. The Locklear’s 3-car garage is the deepest of these homes, offering the most storage potential.  The Jensen Falls’ standard third garage stall often becomes added storage in many households.  The Shelton Farm’s basic 2-car garage has minimal storage space.

LAUNDRY.  The Locklear, with the most spacious laundry room of these three designs, also provides the greatest amount of laundry room storage.  The Shelton Farm places shelves or cabinets above the washer and dryer.  No storage in the laundry is shown for the Jensen Falls

With an 11-foot high ceiling, the Jensen Falls can have three rods and shelves, in its suite’s walk-in closet, combining for 31 lineal feet of storage.  Photo courtesy Tailored Living

Continuing with our last post, a comparison of three top-selling one-story home plans around 1,600 square feet in size, we now turn to each home’s livability and its four component “lenses” that home buyers report using to evaluate a home’s suitability when evaluating home plans.  For some, De-stressing is most important (take the Livability at A Glance quiz to identify which lens is most important for you.)  Many people, when they think of de-stressing at home, first picture their bedroom suite.  These three designs take slightly different approaches to creating a de-stressing suite.

The Shelton Farm utilizes a sliding pocket door between the bedroom and bathroom, eliminating the possibility of a hinged door swinging in to you if you were standing in front of the first sink.  A double-sink vanity helps ease time pressures when the two of you are getting ready at the same time.  The 3-foot x 5-foot shower feels luxurious in comparison to even 4-foot showers so common a few years ago, and having a linen closet ends the frustration of where to keep towels and sheets.

Though narrower, the Locklear’s bedroom has corner windows, providing additional opportunities for which wall the bed headboard rests against, as well as natural light from two directions.  That bathroom’s vanity is nearly a foot wider than the Shelton Farm’s vanity, allowing you to spread out a bit more.  And the oversized doorless shower means no door to clean, while glass block above the shower plus another window ease eyestrain and contribute to a cheery bathroom.

The Locklear also wins when it comes to stress-busting laundry room amenities, with lots of storage, a window, folding counter and sink.

At 16’-8” in depth, the Jensen Falls’ bedroom is large enough to provide you a relaxing sitting area at the back.  Notice that the door to the bathroom swings into the bedroom, smoothing transitions.  Even couples married for decades tell us there’s time when you just need privacy, and this bathroom has a private toilet area with a window.  And at 84” in length, the dual-sink vanity bestows “me” space for both of you.

Anything that saves time and steps is inherently de-stressing.  Such is the case for the Jensen Falls’ sliding pocket door connection between the walk-in closet and laundry area!

Many people also find covered front porches like the Jensen Farms’ to be relaxing – a place to enjoy nature, greet neighbors, and watch kids playing.

Metal-clad shed roofs over the front bedroom and garage door are just one of the elements contributing to the Shelton Farm’s street appeal.  Vertical board and batten siding around and over the garage as well as the front bedroom window blends with traditional horizontal siding, helping establish the home’s Modern Farm House styling. Factor in the home’s compact size, plus its value engineering helping control costs, and it’s easy to see why the Shelton Farm quickly has become a top-selling home design.

Contrasting colors of shake shingle siding are one of the eye-catching elements of the Jensen Falls.  Another is the covered front porch established by tapered columns set atop stone bases – adding to the home’s obvious Craftsman–influenced styling.  A sidelite and transom window over the front door further contribute to this home’s sense of “Welcome!”  At just 50-feet wide including its 3-car garage, split bedroom layout and open floorplan, The Jensen Falls accommodates so many buyer preferences!

Like a magnet, the Locklear holds gazes as people pass by.  The combination of masonry, lap siding and shake siding in the gables works beautifully.  Vertical lines, established in the windows and shutters, is a theme carried through to the garage doors.  The home’s sloping rooflines tend to direct attention to the front entry, brightened by a sidelite and transom window over the door.  The Locklear’s outstanding livability, aesthetics and value have made this home design popular across the entire United States.

The Shelton Farm, plan 42392

The Jensen Falls, plan 29385

The Locklear, plan 42074, 1635 sq. ft.

(Click on the image to enlarge.)