There are many advantages to town house floor plans, particularly for renters and urban dwellers. Years ago, this type of floor plan was known as a “row house.” Townhouses are generally multi-story units that are attached to units on either side give you neighbors living closely together similar to apartment style housing. Once found in abundance in large cities, townhouses can be found all over the country.

Town house floor plans offer more advantages than apartments in several ways. Because they are multiple units arranged in a row, townhouses generally have a single entry per unit and therefore allow for more privacy than living in an apartment building. They also tend to have more square footage of living space per unit than apartments although townhouses are smaller than duplexes. Town house floor plan designs are also more varied than apartments.

Most townhouses are arranged in typical fashion with living spaces on the bottom floor and sleeping spaces on the top floor. The number of bedrooms can vary from one to three and the number of bathrooms generally varies from one to two and a half bathrooms per unit.

While the number of bedrooms and bathrooms can vary, almost all townhouse floor plans have garages,patios and at least one walk-in closet. Kitchen can be traditional, galley style, or in the case of a very large floor plan, an island kitchen. It is also possible to have a fireplace with openings toward both the living room and kitchen giving it an old world feel.

Although townhouses are also known as “row houses”, some current configurations include one unit per side and others have two side-by-side units facing front and two more units on the back side. Whatever your choice, town house floor plans offer a wide variety of options for singles, couples and small families.

If you are planning to build a home, more than likely you have a size in mind. Of course the size of your home has to fit the lot that you have and the budget you have available for the home. It’s very common today for people to start out building a fairly small home. However, a small home doesn’t mean that you can’t have all the great features and amenities you really want. With the right small house floor plans, you can have a wonderful home that looks beautiful and that provides you with everything you need from a home. Of course there are some things to consider when you are planning to build a smaller home. Here are some important tips and ideas to keep in mind that will help you to make the most of your small house floor plans.

The Importance of Thinking Ahead
First of all, you’ll find that it is very important that you think ahead when it comes to drawing up small house floor plans. One wrong move while you are building can cause a problem later on when you are in the home. You need to start thinking about things now. Thinking ahead can help you to make sure you have a good idea of where everything is going to go within the home. Careful planning is essential if you are going to come up with plans for a smaller home that work.

Have an Architect to Help
Trying to come up with your own small house floor plans may be a mistake. So, it’s best to have an architect to help you out. A good architect can be so helpful, since they are well trained in how to use space. They’ll be able to foresee some of the problems that may occur in the future with a small space. You can sit down together with your architect and together you can come up with good plans for the home that will work, even though the space you have may be small. So, although it may cost you a bit to have an architect help you out, it will be well worth it in the end.

Wall Placement is Critical
One thing that is so critical when it comes to small house floor plans is the wall placement that you come up with. Not only does wall placement need to be carefully figured out, but the placement of doors and stairs can be very important as well. They must be put in the exact right place to make the home workable and livable as well. Only when everything is carefully planned out and each wall and door is put in the right place will the home be able to work out right.

Building Better
The key to coming up with small house floor plans is to learn how to build better. There are many simple ideas that can be used to help you make the most out of a small home. One excellent idea to use in your small home is to use as few walls as possible within the inside of your home. You can use other things to define off the different areas within your home. You don’t always have to have large walls. Going with short walls can help, as can opening up staircases so that they don’t take up so much room. You can use counters or even bookcases within your home to define different rooms instead of having a big wall that takes up a lot of space that is needed within the home.

You don’t have to have a huge house to have a smart home that you can live in. If you keep these tips and ideas in mind, you’ll be able to come up with quality small house floor plans that you can easily incorporate into your home. Once it’s complete you’ll be surprised at how wonderful the home turns out. You’ll feel like there is more space and you’ll be thrilled with the great look your home has as well.

Apart from the engineers, designers, and laborers, a house plan forms part of the overall construction. What will the designing and building teams construct if they have nothing to look at and follow? Where will the rooms be located? How many floors does the homeowner desire his house to have? What equipment will be employed and where will it be set? All of these queries are answered by a house plan. A house plan is a pattern, an outline that will lead to the final construction of the house.

Building a home is no easy task. A lot of time, money, and effort will be eaten up by the construction. Some people wish to employ their own designs for their houses while there are those who would prefer to adopt ready-made house floor plans. Whatever the choice of the homeowner is, what is important is the organization of everything involved in the house plan.

What is a House Floor Plan?

It is the house floor plan that will vividly give the homeowner an idea about the dimensions for each room and the overall square footage. Such knowledge will aid the homeowner in deciding how many rooms there will be and how they will be distributed. A house floor plan, in essence, designates how the building will function, what rooms and spaces the building will have, in which areas all rooms will be situated, how the residents will walk from one room to another, and point out the location of all windows, doors, and the like.

A house floor plan is simply the layout or the diagram of the building. When the house floor plan has been craftily drawn out, the homeowner can be assured of a fine-looking and well-arranged domicile.

Anyone fortunate enough to own beach front property should consider building themselves a beach house for the enjoyment of their family and friends. Beach house floor plans should follow the slope of the lot towards the beach and provide a panoramic view of the ocean. A clever design will exploit lot orientation, topography, gravity, direct light and spectacular views.

One type of floor plan arrangement for a beach house is based on a tri-level design. The lowest level encompasses the garage and utilities, the top level is designated as the integrated guest house with the remaining main level denoting the master and secondary bedrooms. Living and dining areas are also featured on the main level of this beach house floor plan.

The layering of living levels and slope of the land allows for a stair system from which one can enter externally, with the guest unit being independent, or via the traditional internal type staggered system. The external stair system gives the opportunity to add either a secluded terrace or patio on any level. A private footbridge with adjoining patio into the master suite would also be a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the main living area.

In keeping with the maritime feel of the beach house floor plan, interior walls of the main living area should be kept to a minimum and the oceanside end should be lifted high into the air and surrounded by glass to extend the view as much as possible. Many panoramic views are the key to maximizing the advantage of natural light.

Evenings and nights can be cool or even cold on the beach depending on the season. If your budget allows, a fireplace in an outdoor living area can be the perfect solution. Fire against the backdrop of the ocean is a classical allusion and can add to the beauty of your beach house floor plan.

The ranch house floor plan is a shining example of the American Dream in its purest form. It was then, and remains today, the most widely built housing style ever seen in America. This house plan style had its heyday from 1949 to 1965 for several reasons.

Prevailing loan programs of the day made getting a home loan with no money down easier than it ever had been in previous years. Soldiers returning from World War II wanted to settle down and begin raising families. With the demand for homes at an all time high, the simple form and lack of detail made the ranch house floor plan much faster to build than a stately Tudor style home. Formal foyers and spiral staircases were discarded and replaced by level entries and single story plans.

The availability and increasing popularity of the automobile also defined the heyday of the ranch house floor plan. For the first time, the garage was moved to the front of the home. This was the first generation of home owners to have a highly prized freedom and mobility to work and shop in the city and then retreat to the suburbs to live. Because the suburbs removed the need to build houses close together, lots became increasingly larger and the square footage of the average house floor plan expanded accordingly. Ranch house floor plans generally accentuated the width of the lot.

The informal lifestyle of California became popular as early as the late 1940s and magazines began to promote casual living as the ideal. Influences such as courtyards, patios and other Spanish colonial architectural details were embraced and played upon. What was known as the front porch or veranda, was moved from the front to the back of the house and heralded the arrival of a significant lifestyle change. Families now preferred the privacy of their back yard rather than sitting on the front porch watching traffic.

Americans believed that technological advances helped win the Second World War and launch was was to become known as the Space Age. Innovative designs such as the all electric home were supposed to make housework a thing of the past. Realizing the dream of space travel was on the horizon as well and home owners wanted a housing style that was reflective of the new modern era. Synthesized versions of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie style ranch house floor plan became very popular in more well to do areas.

The ranch house floor plan was the American Dream in a box from the late 1940s to the mid 1960s. Sliding glass doors, kidney shaped swimming pools and back yard patios created a new informal way of entertaining guests. Though the ranch house floor plan was the embodiment of casual living, most homes of that era lacked architectural details that would make them memorable. By the 1970s, the ranch style house was replaced by the split level home with Colonial or English details. The 1980s saw a reversal of the ranch house floor plan formula that included showy front entries with grand staircases and vaulted ceilings while the back of the house was left almost naked. The only remains of the ranch house floor plan today are the open floor plans, great rooms and hearth kitchens and the current popular trend of an outdoor room. All leftovers from the original ranch style housing era.

House floor plans essentially fall into two categories – custom-drawn and pre-drawn floor plans. It can take a lot of time, money and effort if one chooses the former. Moreover, a pre-drawn floor plan, apart from saving money and time, also lends itself to modifications as per one’s needs.

One can safely assume that many pre-drawn house floor plans have already been tried and tested. That means construction hassles would have already been sorted out, which implies that any additional labor costs and uncertainties during the construction phase will not exist.

Final cost estimates of the pre-drawn house floor plans are more likely to be precise because the particulars have been figured out. This means a list of materials has already been made out, for example. The chances of suddenly discovering that the building is beyond the budget after all are fairly small. Sensible buyers would happily save on architect’s fees for designing floor plans.

House floor plans that are already in stock are as good as their custom-made counterparts, as they, too, were once custom-made by capable engineers and architects. Moreover, the construction papers will come to hand in a matter of days rather than months.

Look at it this way – the largest assortment of quality house floor plans in one place will ensure that the perfect design for particular tastes will be found. There are different kinds of house plan drawings that one needs to look into before building a home.

A ‘construction set’ is a collection of drawings one needs in order to acquire a building authorization, put the financing aspects in place and build a home. This collection comprises five complete sets of house floor plans. Each set has a view of the external walls from all four sides, a comprehensive set of floor plans, a basement plan, a roof plan and other pertinent details.

A ‘reproducible set’ makes it easier to implement minor changes because this set of house plans is typically on vellum paper or erasable Mylar. This set of house floor plans includes a building license that can only be used once.

A ‘CAD set’ helps one make extensive changes to the plan with the help of a design expert. It is comparable to the reproducible set, except it is in an electronic format.

A ‘study set’ helps one ascertain if his home can be built within budget. The floor plans in this set include a view of the outside from all four sides, plus the main story and any additional stories.

‘Single set’ is for finding contractor bids, and this set of house floor plans does not incorporate a building license.

Rehabbers who specialize in fixing investment houses geared towards a sale to first-time home buyers have many flooring choices. If you’re a rehabber, you’ll want to keep up with new interior decorating trends so you create a home that buyers will pay top dollar for. In today’s changing real estate market, it’s more important than ever to make wise flooring choices.

Flooring Information for Fixers

The key to your profit margin: spend less for the materials and at the same get the up-to-date look buyers demand. As a seller, you desire low-cost flooring for your fixer that will stand above your competition when you sell. Although today’s homes feature walls painted in market colors, you want your flooring to offer a neutral base or to harmonize with existing colors in the home.

For bathrooms and kitchens, consider better quality linoleum, instead of opting for the lower cost vinyl. Savvy home buyers know that vinyl flooring, made from chlorinated petrochemical materials, may contain toxins. Linoleum, on the other hand, is made from linseed oil combined with wood flour or cork dust, ground limestone, and color pigments, over a burlap, jute, or canvas backing. Linoleum is also very durable and can last up to forty years, even in tough, high-traffic commercial situations. If you’re an environmentalist, linoleum wins over vinyl, hands down. It’s made of completely renewable natural materials, and no toxins are released into the environment during its manufacture. Highlight these benefits to people looking for a new home.

To save money on carpeting, look for a carpet outlet that carries roll ends. Carpet that normally sells for $38 per yard can be found for only $14, installed. Roll ends may not match exactly with different dye lots, but if you use one peace in each room, buyers will be thrilled to have new carpeting and most likely won’t even notice the transition from room to room because of lighting changes.

Another flooring choice, laminate flooring, resembles wood flooring and may cost more than carpeting. However, take a look at your competition. If you have new houses selling nearby for similar prices, visit the model homes. Home shoppers compare new houses to resale houses and love to see similar features in an older home. Adding a flooring upgrade might, as Emeril says, “Kick it up a notch!” Make your home stand above others in the buyers’ eyes.

Your fixer house will appear larger if you use the same flooring throughout. If you have an entry landing or entry hallway, using the same flooring from the connecting room will make the entire space flow and seem bigger.

The happier your buyer feels in your home, the more deliberation they give to your house. Select your flooring with a little extra thought, and you should get an offer that makes you and your wallet happy. Then, you’ll be on your way to your next fixer investment house!

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

An architectural rendering or architectural drawing or architectural illustration, is the artwork of an architecture illustrator, architect, web designer or multimedia designer with the purpose of representing proposed design of an architectural structure. Using architectural rendering allows you to visualize a structure with basic layout of windows and doors.

Generally, an architectural rendering includes the following:

• Floor plan, 3D house plan

• Interior architectural renderings

• Architectural renderings of apartments and condos

• Exterior architectural renderings

• Photomontage architectural renderings

• 3D visualization and architectural visualization

• Walkthroughs or flythrough

• Animated architectural illustration

Floor Plan: A floor plan shows all the interior, exterior walls and partitions with each wall and window location.

Benefits of a Floor Plan

1. The ability to view the property in an animated format can avoid so much wasted time. Viewing a Floor plan can assist you in deciding if a property is worth a view. Home owners use plans when considering the potential of bathrooms or extensions.

2. Providing a floor plan to prospective buyers helps them make quick and better decisions at every stage of the sale.

3. Plans help them quickly identify which properties are of most interest to them.

4. A floor plan can clarify homes special features.

5. If a potential purchaser wants some alterations, a floor plan can help evaluate the feasibility of any options.

Floor Plans are available in a range of choices including:

1. Beach house plans

2. Country style house plans

3. Luxury house floor plans

4. Victorian style house plans

5. Ranch style house plans

6. Log home floor plans

7. Farm style house plans

Once a luxury addition to house the family vehicle, the garage has now become a necessity – and not just for cars. For active families, the need for storage space is crucial, and often leads to the garage becoming a catchall of clutter. But, by taking into consideration how you and your family will need to use the garage before you build, you can create a garage that will match the ranch house floor plans of your dreams as well as be equipped to house your vehicles AND your life.

The garage door is one of the most prominent features of the entire space, giving presence, style and function. The material used will play a big factor into the overall design of your garage and home. Although wood is the most traditional material used, and may compliment a craftsman bungalow house plan well, new materials such as metals, synthetics, and fiberglass are becoming more popular and work well with more modern plans. Most of these materials can be insulated, are fire and pest resistance, and therefore require less maintenance, are cheaper and safer. In addition to the various material options, garage doors come in a variety of styles, each having a different impact on the amount of space used. Roller doors are the most popular style and ideal for homes with short driveways or other space issues. When opened the door is simply stored along a roller system. Up & Over doors swing outward and up before sliding parallel to the garage ceiling. Since these doors need room for the door to swing freely, they are not ideal for short driveways because extra vehicles will not be able to park close to the door. Sectional garage doors are very similar to roller doors in that they open upwards and are stored in the ceiling space. They are also good space-savers. Side-hinged garage doors are mechanically the simplest of all styles in that they open like a normal door. These are often double doors that close and lock in the middle. Similar to Up & Over doors, Side-Hinges require space in front of the garage to open the doors. Therefore they are not ideal for narrow or short driveways. But if you are working with historic Spanish revival house plans or some similar style these might be the perfect choice for you.

Once you’ve made the decision on your doors, it’s on to determining the best solutions for the inside of the garage. The average garage has basic concrete floors. The downfall to this is that concrete will become damaged when exposed to certain household chemicals or even natural elements. To be able to fully use the space for storage, it might be best to look into flooring alternatives. Polyvinyl mats are ideal floor covers for active garages. These mats roll out, are easy to install, easy to clean and come in an abundance of colors and thickness. Tile holds up well against chemicals, dings, dents and various means of traffic, and can also be color customized. High-grade epoxy is an additional alternative floor coating that repels water and oil. With its extensive lifespan and ease of cleaning, it is becoming a popular addition. This coating can also be combined with additives such as stone bits to create better traction.

Beyond parking your family vehicles, the garage’s most prominent role is for storage. To make the space as functional as possible, there are a few steps to take. Break into zones – Depending on your family’s needs, your garage should include separate zones for storing items that belong to certain categories, such as garden tools, sporting goods, holiday decorations, automotive supplies, and garbage. You may also desire a workshop complete with a bench and table. With zones dedicated to housing like items, everything you need will be easy to find and put back in its proper place. You should also sort stuff. You’ve got your zones in place, now it’s time to divide everything up into the proper categories. This is the perfect time to weed through the belongings you’ve had for years and decide whether or not to keep, donate/sell, or toss each item. When the sorting is complete, the real storage solution can begin. Many storage systems from companies such as ClosetMaid® and Schulte Storage allow for a streamlined approach and make it easy to find everything right when you need it. Items that are accessed regularly should be kept on open shelves within arms reach. Tall storage cabinets are perfect for storing seasonal items together and out of the way. Racks and pegboards are ideal for bulky lawn items such as rakes and trimmers, keeping them handy but off the floor of the garage. Overhead storage is also a great use of space to house large items that aren’t needed too often.

A scandalous abomination now known as the Robie House was completed in 1910. It was a horrible eyesore to the neighbors in Chicago. The Robie house floor plan was the culmination of Frank Lloyd Wright’s ability to think outside the box. It was Prairie style architecture at the height of it’s expression and clashed outrageously with the Gothic manors lined up in Hyde Park at the turn of the century.

The Robie House floor plan, named for its original owner, was the expression of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style architecture at its most expansive and expressive. With its low pitched roof cantilevers that hung over literally dozens of oddly sized balconies, it was an outrage to Chicago’s high society Hyde Park neighbors. The hidden front door reached down an alley and rooms radiated from a central fireplace. Bricks were laid in a pattern that highlighted the stretched-out horizontal feel and the living room is on the second floor rather than the main floor as would be expected of most homes.

The Robie House suffered more indignities than just the disdain of the Hyde Park neighbors over the course of its life. Used for a dorm and dining hall for the Chicago Theological Seminary from 1926 to 1959, it was nearly demolished twice to make room for a more normal style dorm. Frank L. Wright, who was in his 90s at the time, protested so loudly that it was spared. Registered as a National Historic Landmark in 1963, demolition of the Robie House floor plan was a subject never raised again.

The floor plan of the Robie House is eccentric to say the least. The interior space speaks to Mr. Wright’s meticulous attention to design detail. The living room is tapered into a prow not unlike a boat with lighting divided into a “sun” type globe fixture in a wooden frame as well as a “moon” fixture located behind panels. The second floor balconies lining an entire side of the house were deteriorating rapidly, which is an unfortunate effect of Wright’s outrageous designs requiring frequent restoration.

For those who would like to visit the Robie House, it’s located on the University of Chicago campus at the corner of Southwood Lawn Avenue and 58th Street. Guided tours are conducted on weekdays every 15 minutes between 11 a.m and 3:30 p.m. Cost is $9.00 for adults and $7.00 for children and senior citizens.