Ranch Style Bungalow House Plans Tags

Outdoor Fireplaces. Outdoor fireplaces have reached flashover – taking off throughout the country, even in warm environs. Why? They are an inexpensive way to create a frequently used amenity. We probably do more outside than inside fireplaces, says Binkley, who primarily works in Florida.

Floor Plans - When evaluating floor plans try to visualize how you will furnish the house and how you plan on using different rooms in your daily life. Get a tape measure and measure rooms in your current house to get an idea of how big a 12'x15' room really...

The problem with that is we typically don't spend enough time evaluating and considering the design aspects of the new house. The most important thing to remember is spending extra time in the beginning will prevent you from having second thoughts once the house is done. The following list are...

Emphasis on the Outdoors, This sleek, small home (plan 484-6) opens along most of its side to flow seamlessly onto the impressive deck. Here's a look from inside: Wow! Can't you imagine this at a lakefront or mountain location? The bedroom even has room for a queen or king bed....

Determine how much art work you have to hang: Art work, especially large pieces require space to hang. Since open floor plans are removing many of the dividing walls between rooms, the area to hang and display artwork will be minimal compared to a closed floor plan....

Specialty Storage One of homebuyers’ biggest regrets is that they didn’t get enough storage space. Astute designers have answered that demand with over-sized utility rooms and pantries, big walk-in closets, and garage storage systems. Now they are including custom storage spaces everywhere. You can find storage for wine (Plan 888-17),...

Circulation is something else to think about. As Dan Gregory points out in a post called Watch That Layout! the best house plans provide two ways in and out of the living room, dining room, and kitchen -- as illustrated here with Plan 929-1 by Donald Gardner. See how you...

Circulation is something else to think about. As Dan Gregory points out in a post called Watch That Layout! the best house plans provide two ways in and out of the living room, dining room, and kitchen -- as illustrated here with Plan 929-1 by Donald Gardner. See how you...

Natural Wood Beams. Using wood beams to decorate a high ceiling is a given in luxury housing. But it’s become common in upscale production homes, too, particularly when the roof of the great room gets above 12 feet. Dark wood beams not only provide a pleasing contrast to the smooth...

They would be better served by a more intimate home that works for them day to day but is at the same time flexible enough to accommodate the occasional large gathering. The kitchen and great room in particular need to be optimized for family use since those spaces are used...