House #7 Update: House Plans

Try having laundry hookups on both floors. One could be more of a closet where you could put a stackable and maybe a small counter or storage. It leaves options open for both yourself and future home buyers.

Laundry: I think first floor is the best idea for the long-term. I’ve personally never had strong feelings about laundry placement, other than preferring it not in the basement if possible and wanting a legitimate room vs. just a closet. With a first floor master, I think first floor laundry makes the most sense.

Barn doors vs. pocket doors: pocket doors all the way! I appreciate barn doors, don’t get me wrong, but pocket doors allow you to utilize all the wall space and present less problems with electrical (you don’t want to position light switches/outlets where they’ll just be covered by the door).

Pantry: I love the idea of small appliances in the pantry, especially ones that you don’t use a lot. It makes a ton of sense, especially with an open floor plan like you mentioned.

Window: GIVE ME ALL THE WINDOWS! I think a window in the closet is a lovely idea! And y’all get to make all these awesome decisions right now, so go for it!

My only advice would be to think back on what you have loved about your previous homes and decide whether it’s something you feel strongly about that you want to include. I’m sure it almost feels overwhelming with all of the knowledge that you have, but just take it step by step and I know that you’re going to come up with the most lovely house =)

I also agree with the previous commenters. Yes on the pocket doors. Yes on the microwave/pantry idea and yes on the Laundry rooms being on the same floor as the master bedroom. However I dont agree with the window in the closet. My closets store a LOT of various fabric items. Certain fabrics will fade in the sun even in a closet. On our last move I was amazed at linens that faded even in the closet. So now I have 7 large windows in master bedroom and one in the master bath but none in any closets. But maybe it would be ok depending on which direction you home faces. Just my thoughts. Good luck.

I totally agree with Colleen. She hit it out of the park with her comments. I strongly agree about windows and BIG windows. I have vaulted ceilings with 9 ft. tall windows that are wonderful. I love them all.

We recently renovated our house and turned a study off the master suite into a walk-in closet. Our closet has two floor to ceiling windows. It initially seemed like wasted storage space, but we love the natural light in a usually dark (even with lighting) space, and it feels luxurious to have windows in the closet.
Personally, I work outside the home, so I do all the laundry in between other household tasks, such as cooking, so I like having my laundry room close to the kitchen.

I have a window in my closet and I love it. I suggest window coverings that prevent direct sun onto your clothes and shoes.

Planning a home and playing with floorplans is my absolute favorite part of a project! Here are my thoughts: (1) Barn Doors vs. Pocket Doors – I say pocket doors because they are traditional, never go out of style, and you really need to install them when building. We have them throughout our house and I love them. If you decide at a later point that you want barn doors, you can always add those on the relevant walls. (2) Laundry Room – We have our master on the first floor and the laundry room (along with all the kid rooms) on the second floor, which works great. But we also have a washer & dryer stacked in our closet. It is awesome! We pretty much do the “big laundry” upstairs (i.e., towels, sheets, etc.) with the kid stuff, but can pop our clothes in the closet laundry. Lazy…possibly. But convenient, yes! (3) Microwave in the Pantry – 100,000,000 time “YES”! And that pantry though…fantastic! (4) Window in Closet – This is one that is good in theory, but fading is a serious issue. So an option is to include an automatic shade over the window with the switch next to your light switch, and you can easily open the shade when you are in the closet, and shut it when you are not to prevent fading. I love getting to be a fly-on-the-wall during your process and cannot wait to see what you guys come up with!

Pocket doors for sure I used one into my laundry room as well to be able to use every wall to the best advantage. As for the micro wave in the pantry, do you always want to have to in there to use it? We just built a home and I chose microwave & oven combo that of course are electric, the microwave also is a convection oven. Then instead of a gas cook top I have slide a in range which is gas with burners that that have different btu ratings and a middle long burner for oval pots and a griddle. The stove has a gas oven for meats and foods that need the moisture of a gas oven and I use the wall oven for baking which is the prefered heat for that purpose. we entertain and you want to do more of that, which is why I looked into this set up extensively so I can really do anything I need at the same time.

One other thing, if this is a house you plan to stay in have wider doors placed where you will need them in future, we did this to our master suite, and powder room doors to allow us to stay there.
Enjoy the build, it does make you crazy at times but in the end it is worth it.

We are retired and moved in our present home 3 years ago. The master and laundry rooms are on the ground floor. I prefer the ground floor regardless. I take laundry upstairs only when I have had company.
There is a window (with a blind) in the master closet. I like the light, especially when choosing black/navy.
Since I use my microwave several times a day, I do not want it in the pantry. The one I have is built in above the stove.
I agree with the comments about the outdoor area. Since we have a large family, we had the patio extended and covered so that we could actually use it.
Before we moved in, we ripped up the carpet and installed hardwoods throughout the ground floor.
I would never return to carpet. although we do have it upstairs.

We just built our custom home in Versailles, KY. I also added lots of windows but wish I considered one for the master closet! I did add one on the stair landing last minute and SO glad I did. Now there isn’t an awkward small space I have to fill with anything. It’s just a large window and sconces. I have a pair of sliding doors to my daughters playroom, but they are not “barn” doors because I am a bit over the trend. They are 5 panel doors (painted black) with large, long wooden handles. However, we had our builder make the opening to accommodate a set of french doors in the future if we should want them. Laundry should always be on the same floor as the master bedroom! 🙂 We prefer a first floor master, plus it’s great when throwing in dish towels and just so convenient. My daughter is only 2 right now, but she will know that it is her responsibility to bring her laundry downstairs to the laundry room.

Building is really fun and you’ll notice you will make changes as the house comes to life. I turned windows into french doors, added crown molding to every single room, and added a balcony to an upstairs office. It was stressful and exhausting but I love our home and it is so worth it all.

One more thing – we are having two sets of pocket doors. I think the barn doors are a trend and am trying to avoid things that are here for a few years and then gone. They will just “date” a house. I’m also avoiding subway tile and shiplap.

I like laundry rooms on the main floor regardless of master bedroom placement. I don’t mind carrying baskets up the stairs. If the laundry room is upstairs or in the basement, I will always forget to “switch the laundry.” We have first floor master and laundry off of the mud room – and no complaints.

I’m just not a fan of barn doors. Nor do I really understand putting a microwave and other small appliances in a pantry. Will the toaster be used in there, or brought out for use? I think if you want a closed-off space to function more like a Butler’s pantry, then I would make it separate from the pantry that stores food. I do understand I’m likely on the minority here!

Yes, windows in closets, I like that! As long as it doesn’t throw off how the outside of the house looks.

Since your master is going to be downstairs, I would put the laundry downstairs as well, especially if this is going to be your forever home. Because once the kids are gone you aren’t going to want to go upstairs to do your laundry. However, you could put a laundry shoot upstairs that will drop straight down to the laundry room. I love closets with windows! And I love your pantry idea too. Oh how I wish our microwave could be hidden away!

window in the closet.. so you dont hv to turn on the light when you wanna admired your clothes.. like mine 🙁

THis is exactly what I use on my pocket door walls. 3M makes removable picture hooks –specifically for pictures so they don’t stick out

Hi! Congrats!
We have pocket doors and I like them. No barn doors.
The pantry you show is similar to ours – even with the counter top stained. PANTRY is awesome. In lieu of a double oven or even a range oven – we did the Wolf double griddle range cooktop, an Advantium microwave speed oven, regular oven, and warming drawer. You getting an oven range? LOVE OUR GRIDDLE AND WARMING DRAWER!! Didn’t like the ovens under the range – seemed to me I had to bend over too much to get the food out. Just a thought.

Good luck!

I’m not a fan of barn doors, so I would install pocket doors. I also love the idea of the microwave and counter in the pantry. I like the idea of windows in the closet, but I too would be concerned about fading. I think the suggestion of an automatic shade would be a must if you do add the windows.

As for the laundry room, I think you might be best served by having it on the first floor. We have it on the second floor, and I love it. But, all of our bedrooms are on that floor. If it’s possible to add a laundry chute, that would give you the best of both worlds. We had one on our last house, with the laundry in the basement, and I loved it.

I agree with the comment about outlets. IMHO, it is impossible to have too many. Also, you may want to consider if you want any floor outlets, and have them installed as the house is built.

It may be premature, but the other thing I would do if I was building a house is put cabinets with deep drawers, instead of doors, in my kitchen. I think it allows you to use your space much more efficiently.