The House Designers

August 16, 2010

Designed For Perfect Living

Filed under: Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans,two-story house plan — Tags: , , , — Christine @ 9:58 am

The Vida Carinosa is truly a gem in our collection of two-story house plans, which are less than 3,000 square feet. This home offers exceptional living and entertaining opportunities with its flexible/open living areas. Key features include a two-story family room with a fireplace and balcony, covered front and rear porches, library/media room, office, breakfast room, a grand staircase and a gourmet open kitchen that extends into the dining room and great room. The master suite is elegant and secluded with an enormous walk-in-closet, garden tub and shower.

You’ll love the detached two-car garage, which is connected by a breezeway and of course all the available bonus/flexible spaces to design a dream home that fits your lifestyle. This is one home that you will enjoy living in through all stages of your life.

July 28, 2010

Adorable Beach Cottage House Plans

Filed under: Floor Plans,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans — Tags: , , , — Christine @ 8:44 pm

This affordable, two-bedroom cottage house plan is perfect for any waterfront property. Enjoy the view with a full-length porch and second floor balcony. The living room has two-story ceilings for an open floor plan and the master suite enjoys a private bath on the first floor. It also comes with a garage plan featuring a carport, utility room with washer and dryer, storage room and covered porch.

This adorable two-story cottage house plan is perfect for any waterfront property.

June 22, 2010

Flexible & Fun Floor Plan

Filed under: Architecture,Floor Plans,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans,home building — Tags: , , , — Christine @ 3:51 pm

My husband and I have been looking to buy our first home for over a year now. Uninspired by the selection of existing homes, we finally decided that we would build our own home so that it would be EXACTLY the way we want it to be. Our first step was to find a house plan, so we did what everyone does and popped the word house plan into Google and starting browsing the top three websites.

We’re both 28 and don’t have any children yet, so we wanted to find a house plan that had a flexible floor plan with lots of fun elements like a media room, outdoor living space, pool, office space, bonus rooms and wet bar. Ironically, we both visited The House Designers and signed up for their free weekly e-newsletter called Dream Designs. This week they featured some of their most popular flexible floor plans and my husband and I both fell in love with the same house plan. It was the perfect size — just under 2,100 square feet and had 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.

This plan is perfect for us! It has a gourmet kitchen (my husband is a chef), a two-sided fireplace from the dining room and living room, a barbeque porch with another fireplace, a media room, a master suite that reminds of the hotel we stayed at on our honeymoon and a second floor bonus room.

What really blew us away was the basement floor plan that had an additional 1,524 square feet featuring a guest suite, oversized media room and game room and tons of storage space. We’re not usually impulsive buyers, but we ordered the house plan and can’t wait for the UPS man to come this week.

The dining room and living room share a double-sided fireplace.

March 30, 2010

Top Traditional House Plans

Filed under: ENERGY STAR,Floor Plans,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans — Tags: , , , — Christine @ 11:30 am

Our collection of traditional house plans combine, architectural details from a variety of house styles from ranch to Mediterranean. You’ll find that all our plans feature familiar architectural styles presented in a modern and flexible floor plan to suit your needs and lifestyle. This week’s Dream Designs features some of our most popular traditional designs, which are sold throughout the United States.

A big seller is the Austin House Plan. This one-story design features an open floor plan that makes efficient use of its 2,644 square feet. There are four bedrooms, including a secluded master suite with access to the rear covered deck. There’s a two-car garage with a side entrance. As an added bonus, this home has been ENERGY STAR® approved. Enjoy browsing through our broad range of traditional house plans.

Traditional one story house plan is ENERGY STAR® approved.

March 18, 2010

Great Collection of Two Bedroom Plans

Filed under: Floor Plans,Home Construction,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans,home designs — Tags: , , , , , — Christine @ 11:52 am

Whether you’re looking for an affordable starter home, vacation cottage or a guesthouse addition, our two-bedroom house plans are designed to be as simple or luxurious as your budget and tastes requires. You’ll find a wide range of architectural styles and sizes featuring gourmet kitchens, wraparound porches, large master suites and open floor plans to adapt to your changing lifestyle.

So start searching for a two-bedroom plan that fits you with our recent issue of Dream Designs, featuring some of our best-selling designs. Be sure to check out our newest addition – the Wakefield, which is just over 2,000 square feet but comes with a 279 square foot bonus room and two-car garage. Other highlights to this floor plan include cathedral ceilings, a formal living room with fireplace, a kitchen with lunch counter, solarium, and first floor master suite.

March 4, 2010

Our newest house plans

Filed under: Floor Plans,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans,green designs,home designs — Tags: , , — Christine @ 7:33 pm

Every month we continue to add new house plans to our collection of over 4,000 best-selling house plans to meet the growing needs and styles of homeowners. Some of the most popular home design features that consumers are looking for in their new house plan are: a split level floor plan layout; green features; functional and easy to maintain using the latest building products and technology and an open floor plan to allow for flexibility. Take a look at this Frank Lloyd Wright inspired house plan with its stone exterior, low roofline and covered entryway. The main floor features a roomy master suite and office with the kitchen and living area just down the hall. A built-in bench wraps around the kitchen area, making additional seating and cozy spaces for entertaining family and friends. The lower level is spacious with a recreational room, exercise space and three additional large bedrooms. Enjoy more of our new and exciting house plans in our latest issue of Dream Designs.

The open floor plan allows for plenty of flexibility and entertaining.

January 26, 2010

Charming Narrow Lot House Plan

Filed under: Floor Plans,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans — Tags: , , , , — Christine @ 11:57 am

Last spring I purchased a unique piece of land on the lake for a vacation home and I have spent most of my time trying to find the perfect house plan to fit my narrow lot. My builder told me that for the plan to work and for me to have enough outdoor living space I needed a house plan that was 40 feet wide and under. You wouldn’t think this would be so challenging. After spending countless dollars on house plan magazines I decided to look online. Best decision I could have made, since it brought me to your website and a very extensive collection of narrow house plans. I immediately fell in love with The Sunburst (Plan 1160) and was so impressed by all the photographs you had of the house that I could envision my family and I living and decorating our new home. I was so excited to give this to my builder that I purchased the pdf file and was able to email my new house plan in minutes. I can’t wait until April to start building.

The open living room of this charming two-story narrow lot house plan is only one of its best features.[/caption]

January 4, 2010

Perfect Craftsman House Plan

Filed under: Floor Plans,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans,two-story house plan — Tags: , , , , , — Christine @ 8:01 am

I have been searching for over a year for the perfect Craftsman house plan. I had a list of things my new house must have, which included a two-story with a large front covered porch, open floor plan and most importantly a gourmet kitchen with center island because I love to cook and entertain family and friends. Last month I took advantage of your $100 discount and bought the Pipestone house plan. I didn’t want to go over 3,000 square feet and this plan clocked in at 2,909, which was perfect. With four bedrooms and 3.5 baths my children and I have plenty of room to enjoy our own privacy. I love that all the bedrooms are on the second floor and that there’s an additional bonus space to create a media/play room for the kids and their friends. Since we have lots of toys like quads, dirt bikes and a small motorboat having a 3-car garage will really help with keeping everything clean and organized. I can’t wait to break ground in the spring! I can already imagine all the summer dinners and cookouts on the rear covered porch and cozy dining room.

The open floor plan of this craftsman house plan feature a gourmet kitchen, center island, casual dining room and great room.

The open floor plan of this craftsman house plan feature a gourmet kitchen, center island, casual dining room and great room.


he exciting open floorplan is highly functional for entertaining as well as day-to-day living.

he exciting open floorplan is highly functional for entertaining as well as day-to-day living.

November 5, 2009

Timeless two-story house plan

Filed under: Floor Plans,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans,Small House Plans,two-story house plan — Tags: , , , , , — Christine @ 5:51 pm

If you are looking for a small house plan with big curb appeal and an open floor plan, they you’ll want to check out house plan 7739. This two-story Colonial is ideal for a narrow lot and still includes a two-car garage (which can alternate with a breakfast room). Inside this 1,553 square foot home you’ll find a spacious kitchen with a large walk-in pantry that flows into the dining area and living room with fireplace. Upstairs is a master suite with a tray ceiling, garden bath and walk-in closet. Two ample size bedrooms are also located on the second floor.

Free flowing design makes this two-story home feel larger.

Free flowing design makes this two-story home feel larger.

August 28, 2009

Get Creative With Kitchen Cabinetry

Filed under: Floor Plans,Home Ideas,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans,Small House Plans — Tags: , , , — Christine @ 7:47 pm

Today, homes are being designed with open floor plans rather than small individual rooms. You’ll find that cabinetry design is embracing this new trend to create large open living areas by creating cabinetry that has the look of furniture. With more space to be creative, cabinets don’t have to be pushed to the room’s perimeter but can become part of furniture groupings that are a key component to the overall design, functionality and décor of the living space.

This week’s issue of Home Ideas is all about cabinetry – “Cabinets Key Ingredient In Kitchen Design,” “Options For Kitchen Cabinetry” and “Consumers Crave Functionality.” Get inspired our collection of Fabulous Kitchen Floor Plans, which include everything from small beach cottages to sprawling one-story house plans featuring a professional kitchen design.

Open Floor Plan

Open Floor Plan

August 18, 2009

Charming Craftsman House Plans

Filed under: Floor Plans,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans — Tags: , , — Christine @ 10:52 am

Looking for a craftsman house plan? Look no further than this wonderful collection of craftsman house plans. Our craftsman homes range from small bungalows to spacious two story floor plans and they are all designed to be informal, warm, inviting and eco-friendly. The Halstad is a perfect craftsman-style home with its charming dormers, sprawling three-car garage, shake and stone siding and generous master suite and open kitchen floor plan.

Spreading out luxuriously from the large, rectangular foyer is the great room with a view to the back via a wall of windows. The dining room takes a smart and casual approach by being placed next to the open kitchen with its beautiful island cabinetry and built-in hutch. The main floor master suite is a haven of comfort and privacy with a built-in TV cabinet, a backyard view, a spa tub and a roomy closet.

Enjoy browsing through our entire collection of craftsman house plans. And don’t forget to check out today’s Dream Design featuring six of our favorite craftsman homes.

Great floor plan

Great floor plan

August 14, 2009

Homes Designed for Baby Boomers

Filed under: Floor Plans,Home Ideas,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans,Small House Plans — Tags: , , , , — Christine @ 7:39 pm

While many baby boomers are looking to down-size and prepare for retirement, most are just interested in finding the right-sized home so they can enjoy easy and economical living without sacrificing their needs and changing their lifestyle. For some, that may mean a small house plan with a large outdoor living space and open floor plan so they can still entertain and have room for the grandkids. For most, it means a home with lots of flexible spaces to accommodate overnight guests, a home office, entertainment/media room, and craft and hobby room.

One thing most home plans have in common for boomers are they are one-story or ranch house plans, have a large master suite, flexible living spaces and bonus rooms. You can enjoy browsing through our collection of small house plans, open floor plans, empty nester, one-story house plans and bonus room house plans.

Enjoy reading our latest issue of Home Ideas featuring three articles about aging in place – Homes Designed for All Ages, Designed With Baby Boomers In Mindand
Top Tips for a Healthier Home.

August 4, 2009

One-Story House Plans

Filed under: Floor Plans,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans — Tags: , , , , — Christine @ 8:58 pm

This beautiful European country one-story house plan features all of the amenities that your family needs for easy and enjoyable living. Two large bedrooms, each with plenty of closet space, share a bath complete with dual sinks and a tub shower. The master suite features a raised ceiling, a large walk-in closet, and a great bathroom layout. The great room features 10 ft. ceilings and a gas log fireplace which provides a perfect atmosphere for relaxing with family and friends. This one-story house plan comes with a bonus room floor plan, adding 347 sq. ft of additional living space to your new home.

Enjoy some of our best-selling one-story house plans in our latest issue of Dream Designs, which all feature open floor plans.

best-selling house plan

best-selling house plan

August 2, 2009

Proper Kitchen Design

Filed under: Floor Plans,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans — Tags: , — Christine @ 8:31 pm

A good way to ensure proper kitchen design is to use your present kitchen as a starting point. Do you like where your ovens are located? Is the refrigerator in a user-friendly location that doesn’t cause traffic while you are trying to cook? Would another sink or oven be helpful with food preparation? Is there ample space near a pantry to set down groceries? Where do you plan to prepare vegetables and meats? Is the rubbish drawer conveniently located to discard vegetable and fruit peelings? Is the dishwasher placed for efficient loading and unloading? Does your countertop space adequately allow for appliances and cooking utensils?

Appliances should blend in with other design elements in your kitchen. You can achieve this by having them built into the cabinets or paneled to look like them. Or if you prefer, you can make a statement with a stand-alone, like those made with a decorative vent hood and carved wood ornamentation or a stainless steel refrigerator. Keep in mind where you place your appliances will affect the other design elements in your kitchen. For example, a range or a separate cooktop and oven could change your countertop and cabinet space plans. Remember, the time to make changes is before the plumbing and electrical work is started.

Check out our collection of fabulous kitchens featuring creative floor plans for your dream home kitchen. Many of our house plans feature great kitchen photographs.

July 24, 2009

Homes Designed with Flexibility in Mind

Filed under: Floor Plans,Home Ideas,Home Plans,House Plans,Open Floor Plans — Tags: , , , — Christine @ 2:28 pm

Creating flexible living spaces that adapt to your changing lifestyle and needs is a popular trend in new home design. This is especially important in small house plans, that can’t afford to waste any space. Common flexible spaces include rooms that can be combined to create in-law suites, home offices (even his and hers), music/media rooms, craft or hobby rooms, dens that can become guest rooms and dining rooms that can become offices.

Our latest issue of Home Ideas features an interview with Mark Mathis, a THD design partner and president of House Plan Gallery discussing the importance of creating flexible living spaces. He specializes in designing stock house plans with flexible spaces for homes between 1,000 and 3,000 square feet.

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