The Drawing Board

Home Design Lessons from 2021 and Trends to Watch in 2022

Rick McAlexander

Although home design and building trends don’t typically experience monumental change year after year, The House Plan Company in Eugene, Oregon has recognized shifts in home buyer requests that align with nationwide trends that are expected to continue in the new year. From expanded outdoor living to finding new opportunities to reduce energy demands, to placing a greater importance on dedicated workspaces designed for spending more than just a few hours in at a time, homeowners are evaluating a variety of ways to “future proof” their homes.

“The past two years have demonstrated...

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Is the Great Room the Right Room for You?

Rick McAlexander

Both figuratively and literally, the open floor plan design of the Great Room has become the center of the home and what many home buyers believe they want. While it certainly can make a small home feel spacious, and it offers families the ability to stay connected while a multitude of activities take place at the same time, it can also present functional issues. How do you hide kitchen messes from view? Where can you go when you want a quiet place to read, work, or give kids space to play?

“The decision about whether or not to incorporate a Great Room really depends on the home...

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Small Farmhouse Plans

Rick McAlexander

The farmhouse home design has long been a quaint, idyllic reminder of the very best of country living.

But as families have flocked to more urban locales in recent years, they’ve found that there are plenty of ways to combine the classic farmhouse charm with contemporary specifications.

As a contrast to the sprawling, functional farmhouses that have been a staple of rural communities, farmhouse designs in the 1,500 to 2,500 square foot range have become increasingly popular in cities and suburbs alike.

The House Plan...

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Let The Outdoors In: How Home Design Can Connect Us With Nature

Rick McAlexander

Large bodies of research have shown that time spent in or viewing nature can have positive effects on our brains, bodies, emotions, thoughts, and interactions with others. For home buyers looking to build, creating opportunities to incorporate nature and natural settings into the home’s design can be a great way to let the outdoors in.

“When looking at home plans, home buyers should consider how the rooms are arranged to maximize how they would like the home to interact with the outdoors,” said Rick McAlexander, CEO of The House Plan Company. “For example, does the great room face...

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The Return of Ranch-Style House Plans

Rick McAlexander

There are some architectural styles that stand the test of time. Ranch house plans is one of those styles. Made popular in the 1950’s, the flexibility of this iconic design style allows it to span from traditional to modern in appearance with floor plans ranging from open and contemporary to formal with clearly defined spaces.

While a ranch-style house plan can be versatile there are classic characteristics that provide some definition. Ranch floor plans tend to be single story designs with plenty of patio space and lower pitched gable roofs. Exterior materials used range from lap...

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New this Week on HPC

Debbie McAlexander

Country home plan #71057 featured above, is a handsome design with a detached two car garage. Interior renderings showcase this home's open floor plan, dining room, and kitchen.

Kenwood #16867...

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Design Trend: Modern Cottage House Plans with Garages

Rick McAlexander

On the rise this summer is the search for modern cottage design. In the past, the cottage house plan was typically a small house plan without an attached garage. But today’s home plan buyers are looking for a fresh twist on this staple architectural style. Larger floor plans and attached garages are a few of the newer trends.

The allure of the cottage house plan may be the casual floor plan layouts or the exteriors which can easily be blended with other favorites such as farmhouse or Craftsman styles. A cottage design...

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