Log & Timber Home Blog

Floor Plan Insight

FLOOR PLAN INSIGHT: IMPORTANT FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING YOUR HOME.

Functionality, artistic architecture, unique design details, energy efficiency and precious property views are at the forefront of each of our custom wood homes. The floor plan is the first and most important step to creating a home that lives as well as it looks. First, think about your day-to-day lifestyle: how will you, your family and your guests use the home? This is the first question we address during the design process as it’s the most important ‘piece to the puzzle’ when creating a layout that will truly work and be comfortable for its owners in all respects.

Will this be a primary residence or getaway home? How many floors do you need? How much space do you want in each area? Would you like your home to be open and airy? Is your property wide or narrow, on the water or in the mountains? How many bedrooms do you need? Do you entertain often? Do you have children and/or pets? All this (and much more) should be taken into consideration right from the start.

The actual floor plan and layout should be your main focus while looking through our custom plans. Some of our clients browse our floor plan portfolio (available on our website) and find pre-existing designs that come close to meeting their needs with some custom modifications; while others find elements of several different designs that interest them and do more mixing and matching. You can also start completely from scratch on a new design with your own unique ideas.

When you work with Wisconsin Log Homes, your architectural style options are limitless – do you prefer rustic or modern? Do you like log, timber frame, or a hybrid combination of materials? It’s important to consider the durability of each material and the quality of the manufacturer. You want a home that will have structural integrity and materials that will last. At Wisconsin Log Homes, the same floor plan can be designed to be rustic with log, contemporary with timbers, or a mix of everything as a hybrid style home. We can change roof lines and elevations, and use different materials to achieve whatever look a homeowner envisions.

Maximizing exposure and aesthetics, and creating a home that blends effortlessly into its surroundings is critical. The topography, seasonal path of the sun, direction of prevailing winds and scenic views all affect the design and placement of your home and the rooms within your home. Homes that harmonize with their surroundings appear as though they belong, resulting in year-round comfort and reduced energy costs.

What do you feel comfortable investing into your home? Budget is probably the most important factor when designing your home. It’s important to be upfront with your design team so they can design a home that you can afford, and give you options that reflect your budget along the way. Our goal is always the same – to keep our clients safely within what they want to invest and to eliminate any unexpected surprises along the way. Knowing our clients’ budget from the start allows us to do our job well and guide them in a direction that’s right for them.

Keep in mind that not only are you designing your house for today, but in most cases, you're also designing it for years down the road. Take into consideration how you and your family live now, but also plan for how you'll live in the future. It's so important that every square inch of your home gets designed so it's comfortable, functional and adaptable for years to come.

The thought of designing a home can sometimes seem like an overwhelming task. We encourage people setting out on the design/build journey to work with an experienced team they can trust. Building a home is one of the largest and most important investments you’ll make in your lifetime and it’s so crucial that you do it right. Working with a team of professionals truly makes a difference, and makes living in your home that much more enjoyable and comfortable for years to come.

*Floor Plan Pictured Above: Harbor Cove