Design Basics Fill out and save the following checklists. They will serve as a benchmark as ideas surface and decisions are formulated. Some items that are 'musts' now may change as time progresses. Regardless, think toward the future, but if the budget won't fit future needs, plan a home that can be modified as needs change, i.e. add to the family, acquire a pet, provide in-home eldercare, retirement, etc. Basic Questions Number of occupants? Number of bedrooms? Type of home-single level, 1-1/2 story, slit level, two-story, ranch? Number of bathrooms-full or partial? Foundation type-full basement, piers, slab, crawlspace? Roof type-metal, metal composite, shingle, cedar? Number of windows and type? Garage-attached or detached, constructed of logs? Home setting-wooded; flat, open land; neighborhood lot; lakeside; mountainside? Sewage-septic system, holding tanks, city sewer, mound system, greywater? Potable water-on-site well, city water? What type of heating will be used? General Lifestyle Questions Style preference-rustic, formal or informal? Entertaining options-small or large gatherings? Spaces-wide, open or cozy nooks? Present home-what works and what doesn't? Special needs--wheelchairs, vision-impaired, etc.? Pets-dedicated space requirements? Guest accommodations-dedicated space requirements? Out-of-doors to indoor spaces-how much interaction? Laundry Location-Basement, First Floor or Second Floor? Porches and decks-how many, open or closed-in? Dedicated special interest space-fitness/exercise, work/office, sewing/hobbies? Traffic Flow When planning your new home, pay particular attention to traffic flow. Good traffic flow in your home will greatly increase convenience. For instance, you wouldn't want to walk through the living room to get to the dining room from the kitchen. As you plan, the following are a few design considerations: All bedrooms are close to a bathroom The distance from the garage to the kitchen is direct and short The foyer is centrally located and convenient to all parts of the house If you have a combination mud/laundry room, workflow is not interrupted by the traffic flow Space relationships make sense (as in the kitchen/dining room example) A coat closet is near all entry doors Personal Preferences List five features that are MUSTS in your new home: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ List five features you would LIKE to have in your new home: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ Kitchen Considerations Do your homework and plan accordingly and carefully so that everything in your home will count. Planning guarantees that you'll get what you want and will be less likely to forget anything as the process moves forward. The kitchen is particularly important as it is the lifeblood of most homes and families. It is the hub of many activities bedsides food preparation, such as entertaining, arts and crafts projects, homework and oftentimes, bill writing. Evaluate your current kitchen to decide what works and doesn't. For instance: Is the lighting adequate for all purposes? Do people get in each other's way? Do I have enough counter and cupboard space? Is the work space efficient, i.e. is a 'work triangle' present? What's a 'work triangle'? A kitchen work triangle is a useful design element that guarantees not only efficient use of your kitchen space, but eliminates unnecessary steps during food preparation, while regulating traffic flow. A work triangle is an imaginary line drawn from the refrigerator/pantry to the range/oven/microwave to the sink/waste disposal/dishwasher area. The industry standard suggests a work triangle with a perimeter measuring less than 26 feet in order to be the most efficient. Think about your new kitchen and ask yourself: What activities will take place here? What about entertaining? How much food and miscellaneous storage do I need? Should I display or hide the dishes, pots and pans? Will the family eat in the kitchen or dining area? Would an island be beneficial? The four basic kitchen layout designs are: U-shaped, L-shaped, G-shaped, and inclusion of an island. Each one has features and benefits. If you're unsure of which one would work best for you and your family, talk to your Country Log Cabins representative or visit some kitchen showrooms to get a better feel for each one. Bedroom Basics Use a separate worksheet for each bedroom in your new home. Minimum requirements and questions should include: Minimum square footage: 100 sq. ft., with a recommended square footage of at least 125. What dimensions will the room be? Use your present bedrooms as a guideline, along with the minimum and recommended square footage above. Who will use the bedroom? Do you want the master bedroom close to or farther away from the children's'/guest bedrooms? Consider number and size of the closets-minimum requirements are usually 6' - 8' long, 2' deep closets. What about walk-in closets? Remember that closets placed on interior walls act as good sound barriers. Will the room have other functions, such as a study, sitting room or reading room? What kind of wiring will the room need? For instance, consider cable for TVs and computers, telephone jacks, ceiling and wall lights, etc. Will the dressing room be separate? Will you need any additional storage area? What about a fireplace? What size bed will go into the room? What other furniture will be included in this room? What type of flooring would be best? Number and types of windows? How about skylights? How will the walls be finished, or will they be left as log walls? Bathroom Details The minimum recommended square footage for each bathroom is 5' x 7' with one lavatory, 6' x 9' with two lavatories, and 4' x 4' for powder rooms. Consider the following when planning your bathrooms: Who will use this bathroom? What activities will take place in this bathroom-bathing, dressing, putting on make-up, etc.? Will this be a master bath? What amenities do you want in this room (Jacuzzi, tub, shower, bidet, etc.)? What are your storage requirements? What kind of lighting do you want? What type of ventilation will be used? Will the room have log walls, plasterboard or a combination? (Remember that wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity, so be careful about locating tile showers and bath surrounds on log walls.) What kind of windows, if any, would you like in this room? What about flooring? Be sure to avoid the following: doors that open too close to standing space in from of toilets or sink; shelves or wall cabinets that impede easy use of fittings; positioning bathrooms so they are visible or audible from living or dining areas; not enough linen/storage space. Great Room/Family Room Considerations Consider the following when deciding on your great room: What activities will take place here and how much space will be required to carry out these activities? How does the great room fit into the home's overall floor plan? Do you want privacy in the great room or an open floor plan? Consider the location in order to incorporate views and daylighting options. What about decks, fireplaces or log staircases? What about the ceiling style?
What's a 'work triangle'? A kitchen work triangle is a useful design element that guarantees not only efficient use of your kitchen space, but eliminates unnecessary steps during food preparation, while regulating traffic flow. A work triangle is an imaginary line drawn from the refrigerator/pantry to the range/oven/microwave to the sink/waste disposal/dishwasher area. The industry standard suggests a work triangle with a perimeter measuring less than 26 feet in order to be the most efficient.
