Among the myriad factors to consider in building or buying a new home, deciding between multi-story or one-story house plans is one of the first decisions you’ll encounter. Single-story house plans come in plenty of different architectural styles, sizes and floor plans, potentially fitting the needs of many potential homeowners.
However, one-story house plans have disadvantages to consider as well. But, how do you know if a one-story house is right for you?
One-story house plan pros
- Perfect for open floor plans: If you’re in the market for an airy, open-concept home, single-story designs provide the perfect starting point.
- Easy to clean and maintain: There are cleaning and maintenance advantages to single-story homes, such as the ability to use robotic vacuum cleaners to cover the entire square footage of the house.
- Accessibility advantages: Young children, elders and people with mobility hurdles or disabilities benefit from single-story homes because they don’t have to worry about getting up and down flights of stairs.
One-story house plan cons
- Less separation between shared and private spaces: single-story homes have every room on one level, which means bedrooms are relatively much closer to shared spaces like kitchens, living rooms and entryways.
- Often built on smaller lots: Homes built on a single-story take up more lot space, and therefore leave less room for outside living areas like backyards, porches and patios.
- Ground-level disadvantages: In some locations, having your bedroom at ground level can be extremely noisy and uncomfortable. You might not find it ideal having street and foot traffic right outside your window.
Is a single-story house plan right for you? Only you can decide, but considering these key pros and cons will help you make the most informed decision.
About the Author
Jan Kennemer
Jan will show you how you can live close to Washington, DC – by public transit and/or highway – and still enjoy all the many amenities and friendliness of a quiet community. Jan is a life-long resident of Arlington, Va. So, she is very familiar with northern Virginia …Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria and close-in Fairfax. She knows where to find those little out-of the-way places where you will still get excellent value and a home that meets your needs. As a Realtor® for over 20 years, Jan has developed a customized system for marketing and selling properties which includes the latest technologies combined with tried and true practices. She has received special training in working with first time buyers, repeat buyers and seniors. She is a certified VHDA trainer and is certified as a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES©). Jan is also a certified e-Pro. She gets results you want – the best price in the shortest time. Jan is dedicated to helping clients satisfy their needs and wants while providing them with a strong investment for the future. She is readily available to provide explanations and information. She won’t push you into making an uncomfortable choice. Jan helps you to fully understand the transaction, so that you can always make an informed decision based on facts and figures.