The Shelton Farm, plan 42392, 1603 sq. ft.

The Locklear, plan 42074, 1635 sq. ft.

The Jensen Falls, plan 29385, 1676 sq. ft.

All three of these plans provide linen storage, but the Jensen Falls one-ups its competition with the Stor-N-More, providing the convenience of a padded bench with flip-top for laundry basket storage, extra towel hooks and linen cabinet above.

And the winner is…The Shelton Farm (for Storing.)  It’s very close, but the Shelton Farm’s larger bedroom closets ultimately tipped the scales in that home’s favor.  Which of these homes wins when looking through the “Entertaining” lens?  Find out in our next post!

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The Shelton Farm, plan 42392, 1603 sq. ft.

The Locklear, plan 42074, 1635 sq. ft.

A coffee bar in the Locklear’s bedroom, creates aromas you’ll love to wake up to!

The Jensen Falls, plan 29385, 1676 sq. ft.

All three of these homes present 10-foot high boxed ceilings in the suite bedrooms, and all utilize 32-inch wide interior doors for easier access.  Additionally, you don’t walk from the garage into your laundry room in these homes.  Rather, each plan has a rear foyer transition area.  There’s a handy bench there in the Jensen Falls, a clutter-busting drop zone in the Shelton Farm, and the delightful Locklear rear foyer with drop zone, bench topped with lockers plus a separate coat closet.   

Finally, there’s the bedroom layouts – together, as in the Locklear (often preferred by families with young children,) while the Jensen Falls and Shelton Farm split the other bedrooms from the suite, maximizing nighttime privacy. 

And the winner is…the Locklear plan (for De-stressing).  But which home wins when we look at the “Storing” lens?  Find out in our next blog post!

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We compare new vehicle features…the advantages of one cell phone over another…and what the benefits offered by various smart home systems mean to us.  So, what would such a comparison look like among home plans?

Three top-selling 1600 square foot ranches battle for bragging rights

The Shelton Farm, plan 42392, 1603 sq. ft.

The Jensen Falls, plan 29385, 1676 sq. ft.

The Locklear, plan 42074, 1635 sq. ft.

Today’s most-wanted amenities!  These three homes delight with innovative solutions to real-life issues.  Whether working from home, de-stressing your morning, or finally getting rid of the bathroom laundry basket eyesore, design adds meaning and value!

The Pocket Office. Providing a private space for homework or finishing up projects you brought home that are due tomorrow, the pocket office is a popular solution that doesn’t take up all the space of a traditional home office, nor does it need to always be tidy!

Stor–N-More^TM. It makes sense.  We undress in the bathroom to shower, so a laundry basket or clothes hamper there is practical, even if it is always in the way.  And, we at Design Basics were getting requests for a seat in the bathroom.  The Stor-N-More addresses both issues beautifully, with its padded flip top bench seat opening to accommodate your clothes basket.  Then we attended to other common bathroom challenges, providing towel hooks and a linen storage cabinet!

Drop Zone, Bench and Lockers. Addressing the reality that “nothing is more stressful than getting the entire family out the door on time in the morning with everything,”, lockers mean you won’t be hearing, “Mom, Dad, have you seen my…” because gym clothes, science projects, backpacks and lunches can all be staged right where your kids pass by en route to school.

So…all three of these homes have different strengths and appeals.  In upcoming posts we’ll judge them on their livability and identify the winner!

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• Thoughtful Design Concepts

Numerous influences – from finances to the desire for inter-generational joy, to health monitoring – are fueling the surge in multi-generational households. In our last post we looked at some of our most popular multi-generational home designs, showcasing various bedroom arrangements. Herein we’ll look at designs that also provide separate living areas.

The McAllister Knoll (plan #42319) presents a couple options for multi-generational buyers looking for private living spaces. At the left rear corner of this home, the flex suite has a modest living space with kitchenette. Or Bedrooms 2 and 3 can be re-purposed as a second suite with its own dedicated living area, and even a private entrance off the covered front porch!

Similarly, the DiCaprio (plan #42135) showcases a flex suite option on one side of the home with its own living area. If that were your parent’s suite, and they were having a couple friends over, it wouldn’t have to conflict with your get-together in the home’s central entertaining area. With a single door off the entry hall, that entire “wing” of the home feels private. There’s even direct access onto the screened porch!

Building on a basement foundation, especially on a sloping lot, presents additional opportunities. The Strasser Pointe (plan #42420FB) is a 2,200 square foot, 3-bedroom ranch on the main floor, plus a 1,553 square foot finished lower level with its own exterior entrance and garage on the side! With its sunny, spacious gathering area, kitchenette, and laundry, downstairs occupants have everything they need. If snoring or a noisy CPAP machine might affect sleep, there are two bedrooms and two bathrooms on this level, connected via a staircase to the main floor.

Casitas, such as the Frahm’s (plan #42357), offer yet another solution for greater independence. Situated behind the garage, this first-floor casita has its own exterior door but does not have a door into the main home (though one could easily be added into the living space next to the drop zone). Still another door into the living space, from the garage, could be added. With its own washer and dryer, plus direct access to the rear yard, this casita can truly live independently, similar to an ADU (Accessible Dwelling Unit).

The Bauer Creek (plan #56564) offers covered front entries as well as separate garages to provide further distinction for its independent living wing. A flex room toward the front, with nearby full bathroom, provides a fluid transition that can also serve so many purposes! That could even serve as a live-in caregiver’s bedroom. There is also a doorway between the dining areas, and both sides share the huge covered rear deck.

Finally, the option of a traditional duplex is still the preference of some buyers. Downsized from the original Cedar Glen II (plan #42229), the Cedar Pointe Springs (plan #42436) is “mated” along the kitchen and dining areas. Just 38-feet wide and 1,387 square feet per side, the homes still feature two accommodating suites, nice outdoor living amenities, and open entertaining.

The pendulum swing towards more multi-generational households is a boon for home building, as few resale homes were designed to cater to such living arrangements. While the financial advantages can be significant, and each generation can come to appreciate the others more, successful multi-generational households don’t just happen. Beyond the finances, including repairs, taxes, utilities, insurance, and maintenance, you’ll want to have discussed and agreed upon certain ground rules for dealing with issues such as private times and together times, scheduling events, and other lifestyle and social considerations.

For more resources on thoughtful design and products:

• View other articles on our blog
• Browse our Her Home™ Magazine
• Thoughtful Design Concepts