The Drawing Board

House Plan Design Considerations for Aging in Place

Rick McAlexander

These days, homeowners looking to build their forever home are thinking about more than what they need to live comfortably in the moment. They’re prioritizing home design requirements well into the future after the kids are grown and they enter retirement, or they’re planning for the possibility of taking care of elderly parents. The House Plan Company shares insights about new trends in aging in place house plans and what homeowners need to consider when building a home for the future.

“Aging in place...

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Make It Personal: Benefits of Building a New Home

Rick McAlexander

One of the most intimidating yet exciting endeavors to undertake as a homeowner is building a new home from the ground up. Yet it doesn’t have to be such an overwhelming process when guided through the various steps and stages by a designer and general contractor, and the benefits far outweigh the concerns.

“The most common reason why someone opts to build a home rather than buy one is that they can’t find an existing home that meets their needs. Custom construction allows a homeowner to create a home that meets their specific needs and taste, while also planning for the future...

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House Plan Design Trends for 2020

Rick McAlexander

As the start of a new decade brings the promise of innovation in every aspect of our lives, home design trends are following suit with emerging trends that revolve around our need to be connected to technology, live sustainably and enjoy quality time with family friends in casual, open spaces. Three design companies from across the country, The House Plan Company, Design Basics and Tyree House Plans, share their insights on new and continuing house plan design trends for 2020.

Prepping Pantries

While pantries have been around a long time, they’re emerging as a new space for...

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Rear Foyers, Pocket Offices, Work-In Pantries and Dual Master Suites Headline Innovations in Today’s Home Designs

Rick McAlexander

Today’s home designs incorporate a little creativity and a lot of innovation, making the most of available space in a floor plan to meet the needs of active, busy homeowners. Three nationally renowned designers share several of the innovations they’ve brought to house plans for their clients, which also serve as strong indicators of home design trends in the future.

Dual Master Suites

Not one, but two master suites. The concept of a second master suite has emerged from a variety of homeowner needs and desires, including living quarters for elderly parents or a caretaker, a...

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What People are Looking for in Today's Kitchens

Ken Pieper

What are the new priorities for the latest kitchen designs? I have found that the answer to this question is really dependent upon the market segmentation and regional location. This really is not any different than before in the past but the requests are truly different from just a few years ago. I have always found that the kitchen is one of the first conversations that our clients want to have. The design and amount of space this area is currently requiring has been altered and as a designer I must rethink and respond in a positive manner.

There is of course the occasional...

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How Size in Design Creates the Budget

Ken Pieper

We as a nation have come to believe that the “ Go Big or Go Home” approach is the way to have the best life in general. Not necessarily the truth in all things for sure. Bigger is not necessarily better in all things.

My life and career has taken me through many different aspects to garner attention to my work. I have created very large projects, small ones and very cost efficient ones as well. Which ones were more the most successful, accepted and indeed brought me more attention? I’m really not sure what the concrete answer to this question is. However, I do know without doubt,...

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The “New” Master Ensuite

Ken Pieper

Most of our living activities in the busy world that we live in today have created a new approach and challenge to all design teams regarding new and remodel home design. This is become more evident to me now than ever in the last two years. I say this as the marketplace is being altered so quickly that it really becomes a priority of one’s thinking to just keep up with the movement and requests of our current clients. I will focus just on the master ensuite in this article as it has evolved into a very important design challenge. This newest concern in regards to the space planning of...

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