House Plan Blog

Clean lap siding with batt and board accents in the gable ends, windows framed with charming shutters, a sleek metal roof; all the elements of the revived American farmhouse. It is also the perfect description of the exterior of the Boulderfield house plan from Associated Designs. From the exterior the design is a classic farmhouse, inside the layout is filled with trending floor plan features homeowners’ are seeking.

Greeted by a wide covered porch the Boulderfield is welcoming upon first impression. Through the front door framed by sidelights, tall 13’ ceilings grace the foyer which opens directly to the great room. Tall ceilings continue through the great room and beyond to the back covered patio. A large, double sliding glass door separates the great room from the covered patio allowing the room to open seamlessly to the outdoors when the weather is nice. With the increase in remote working and learning and time spent in our homes, blending the outdoors with the indoors has been a popular trend with homeowners’ looking to make the most out of the homes. A drop in the ceiling creates a visual transition between the great room, dining room, and kitchen in an otherwise completely open layout. Ideal for informal entertaining and living, open-concept floor plans allow for people and conversations to flow freely making sure that no one is left out of the conversation.

The well-appointed kitchen features a center island with eating bar – adding to the available seating during large parties. A large, walk-in pantry is just steps away. With a trio of windows along the front and back walls the dining room and kitchen feel airy and bright. A feature of note in the dining room is the coffee bar with built in sink.

A long standing but still popular floor plan trend is separate bedrooms. Honoring that desire, the Boulderfield’s master suite is accessed off a hallway from the dining room. French doors open to this luxurious retreat that boasts a private covered patio and deluxe bathroom complete with dual vanities, soaking tub, walk-in shower, and large walk-in shower. On the other side of the home, filling the right side of the floor plan are two jack-and-jill style bedrooms. For those not familiar with a jack-and-jill bedroom, the two bedrooms share direct access to a compartmentalized full bathroom making each room a suite. Near the secondary bedrooms, is a pocket office.

Rounding out this trending home plan is the attached 3 car garage. The side entry makes it ideal for a corner lot or a large rural property. It also hides the garage doors allowing the home to show off it’s farmhouse style without a large display of garage doors. Between the garage and living area is a large mechanical storage closet providing increased energy efficiency if the closet is finished and insulated. The one story design and open layout make the Boulderfield a design that can adapt and grow with a family through all of life’s stages.

Walking pass the Meadows Edge, you see the Craftsman accents pop through the smooth stucco and stone wainscot. Decorative details in the gable ends and slender posts that frame the front door draw you to the vaulted covered porch. As you approach the front door a covered court yard appears to the right creating a bright and welcoming first impression.

Inside the floor plan offers the latest in design trends. Tall ceilings can be found throughout the foyer and great room. Large sliding glass doors and a rich display of windows along the back wall of the great room flood the room with natural light. For those colder, cozy fall and winter days a fireplace warms the room and can be enjoyed throughout the living and dining areas. The open-style great room is a popular design choice and ideal for those who love informal living and entertaining. A beverage bar in the dining room offers cabinet space and a small prep sink – great for mixing up an evening cocktail or serving up morning coffee or tea. The generously sized kitchen is just steps away from the dining room with only an island to provide some visual separation of space.

Steps away from the kitchen are a large pantry and a mud hall connecting the home to the attached three car garage. A popular feature amongst contemporary homeowners is separate bedrooms and the Meadows Edge house plan has just that. The far right side of the floor plan are two secondary bedrooms which share a full, compartmentalized bathroom with dual vanities. All the way on the left side of the home, on the other side of the great room is the owners’ suite. This luxurious retreat has a private bathroom filled with twin sinks, separate soaking tub and walk-in shower, plus a large walk-in closet. Sharing the same hallway as the owners’ suite is a studio. This room is truly a flex space allowing homeowners’ to tailor the floor plan to fit their current lifestyle. If a fourth bedroom is needed the built-in shelves could be substituted for closet or dresser space. Those working from home may choose to furnish the studio as a home office or study for remote learning.

Placing important on time spent outside, the Meadows Edge design can be opened up to the back yard. The large, double sliding glass doors in the great room spill out to the covered patio. Ceiling transitions in the covered patio help to give the sense of two separate spaces – one could ideal be set up as an outdoor living room. While the vaulted patio, offering a grill area with counter could serve as the outdoor kitchen.

Experience a virtual tour of the Meadows Edge at AssociatedDesigns.com.

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The chance to have a custom home design created and constructed is an exciting opportunity, one that for many will be a once in a life time experience. The custom home design process gives you the opportunity to tailor a home to how you live, how you entertain, and your location. Making sure to take the time to consider these cornerstones will help you and your design team create a home that you will be happy with for years to come.

Associated Designs in Eugene, Oregon has been offering custom design services for over 25 years. When asked to help client create the home that is locked away in the dreams, Rick will start with a review of how you live in your current home. “It is important to consider your current and past homes. There are lessons to be learned from those homes – what you liked, what you wish was different.” Taking these lessons and blending them with your current design goals will help give your home designer key insight.

Recent custom design clients, Mr. & Mrs. D, worked with Rick to create a home that would fit with their sloped lot. The resulting design is a spacious 2426 square foot single level floor plan with unique features to fit the D’s lifestyle.

To start, throughout the home wide hallways and an open floor plan allow for longevity. Planning for the future is key – whether that is for a growing family or a forever home that will age as gracefully as the homeowners’.

With the need to work from home having a space to work has shifted from an optional but nice feature to a necessary space within a home. Leaving more space for entertaining and gathering spaces, the D’s opted for a pocket office. Barn doors open to reveal this compact and efficient work space off the foyer.

The core of the home is the open and informal great room. Vaulted ceilings run through the living room and dining room adding to the spacious feeling and naturally bright feel of the room. Helping to provide some visual separation of the kitchen is an island with flush conversation bar and a drop in the ceiling height. The great room can be opened to the outdoors where a second fireplace on the covered deck creates an outdoor living room. A few steps away is an outdoor kitchen with grill center – making entertaining and enjoying outside a breeze.

More and more families are taking their four-legged members into consideration with their home design and the D’s are no exception. Located off the utility room, with direct access to the outdoors and a covered stoop, is a dog room; space for their four-legged friends to have a place to rest, store all their treats, and when needed – even if it isn’t their idea of a good time – a bath. A door connecting the dog room to the master walk-in closet and bathroom means Fido has quick access to his favorite people; and the homeowners have a convenient way of getting loads of laundry to the utility room without having to travel through open rooms to get there.

Enjoy the photo tour below of this gorgeous new home and let us know what features you want your next home to have!

Ready to jump in and start the design process for your very own custom home but don’t know how or where to start? Associated Designs has prepared great articles on How to Choose a Home Designer, How to Study Floor Plans, and How to Select a Contractor.

There are some architectural styles that stand the test of time. Ranch house plans is one of those styles. Made popular in the 1950’s, the flexibility of this iconic design style allows it to span from traditional to modern in appearance with floor plans ranging from open and contemporary to formal with clearly defined spaces.

While a ranch-style house plan can be versatile there are classic characteristics that provide some definition. Ranch floor plans tend to be single story designs with plenty of patio space and lower pitched gable roofs. Exterior materials used range from lap siding, batt and board, shingles, and stucco. Unlike some other architectural styles, such as Craftsman home designs, the ranch-style is simple and clean.

What is an iconic American house plan style, the ranch home design offers a graceful blend between indoor and outdoor spaces. The House Plan Company has prepared a showcase of 5 trending home designs that highlight the ranch-style inside and out.

Underwood – Design 33535

Wrapped in stucco and stone the Underwood design is a classic 2500 square foot ranch house plan. The exterior is eye-catching yet clean. Created by The House Plan Company design partner Design Basics, this design carries the ranch-style inside. The one story floor plan offers an open layout in the core of the home.  A rich display of windows allows the outdoors in along with the covered veranda featuring an outdoor kitchen and fireplace. Bedrooms are well separated with the master bedroom on the opposite side of the floor plan from the 2 secondary bedrooms. Flexibility to grow with a family is key to ranch design and the flex room at the front of the house lives up to its name; providing the opportunity to turn the Underwood home design into a 4 bedroom floor plan if desired. If bedrooms are not needed then the flex room and additional bedrooms can be furnished as a home office, hobby room, guest room, or whatever else suites. With an attached 3 car garage the Underwood design is a great house plan for most stages of life.

Murdoch – Design 77002

At 2497 square feet, the Murdoch is truly a modern interpretation of the classic ranch style. A blend of materials on the exterior give the home design eye-catching curb appeal. Its single level floor plan and low pitched roof are true to the style. Designed by Rentfrow Designs, LLC., this stunning modern ranch house plan offers an equally modern floor plan. The attached 3 car garage is L-shaped making the home ideal for a corner lot. Inside a great room is at the heart of the home with a corner fireplace and sliding glass doors that frame the family room and dining room, natural elements and the outdoors can be enjoyed through all three spaces. The master bedroom is nicely separated from the other bedrooms and fills the back of the home. Depending on the needs of the homeowners’ the Murdoch house plan can be furnished as a 3 or 4 bedroom house plan – if the home office is used as an additional bedroom. This one story house plan with basement foundation is a great family home plan.

Heartfall – Design 95320

Graced with Northwest accents the Heartfall is a comfortable 2518 square foot ranch-style house plan. Created by Associated Designs, this 3 bedroom floor plan offers causal open concept living. For those who love the outdoors, the great room is surrounded by a wrap-around covered patio. Large sliding glass doors open the great room to the outside. A classic ranch floor plan concept is grouped bedrooms and while the owners’ suite has a separate hallway all three bedrooms fill the back of the home. Taking advantage of the space within the roof, the Heartfall offers an unfinished bonus room over the garage with the option to complete a full bathroom and wet bar.

Design 87072

With touches of Southwest charm, Design 87072 is adorned with smooth stucco and stone accents. This 2507 square foot design was created by Ahmann Designs, Inc., and showcases many classic ranch features. The single level floor plan with attached 3 car garage is filled with modern touches homeowners’ are looking for. Off the garage a mud hall offers a coat closet and bench. At the center of the home is the great room, where living room, dining room and kitchen are seamlessly open to one another. A rich display of windows along the back wall brings the outdoors in and living is extended outside under the covered porch. The homes 3 bedrooms are nicely separated. The master bedroom fills the back right corner of the floor plan while two additional bedrooms are towards the front. Wonderfully blending classic ranch-style features with contemporary design it is easy to see that plan 87072 is a favorite of homeowners’ and builders alike.

Design 67724

Traditional brick is blended with stone to create a handsome exterior to Design 67724. At 2455 square feet the floor plan is comfortable and family focused. For those who enjoy causal living but prefer more separation of space than is found in most great rooms, the family room arrangement at the core of this floor plan is for you. A wide opening between the family room and breakfast nook provides connection and easy movement between the rooms without leaving the space completely open. The formal dining room is across the hall from the kitchen. Created by The House Plan Company design partner, Design Evolutions flexibility can be found throughout the home. Starting with the study, depending on the family this could be furnished as a 4 bedroom or home office. As family needs change and evolve, the walk-out basement provides opportunities to expand the floor plan over time.

The ranch-style house plan is an iconic American architectural style but as seen in these 5 designs offers flexibility and the ability to please a wide range of preferences. From more formal floor plans to casual and informal gathering spaces to modern exteriors or design rooted in tradition. To see the full range of ranch home design check out The House Plan Company’s collection of ranch house plans for more inspiration and information about this prominent architectural style.

What is a Concept Plan?

Your search for your next home design has lead you to that perfect plan but it is a concept plan. You find your self wondering what makes that different and if the design that has the perfect floor plan and exterior is still right for you. 

Associated Designs recently added Concept House Plans to its collection. Here is why and what you can expect to receive.

First when you consider the value of a pre-designed plan compared to a custom design the savings are huge! Concept plans continue in that tradition but with added flexibility. Creating a plans elevations and floor plans accounts for 50% or more of the custom design process and fees, by starting your journey with a Concept Plan your project is now halfway through the design phase at a fraction of cost (both time and money). With design portion completed, the completion of the construction documents can begin and with a Concept Plan they can be finished to your regional building practices and codes.

New Concept Plan - Ithaca 31-102

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A new addition to the Concept Plan Collection is the Ithaca 31-102. This 2 story floor plan is wrapped in a charming cottage-inspired Cape Cod exterior. An elevated covered front porch greets visitors and is an ideal place for a porch swing or set of chairs for those who enjoy interacting with neighbors. Inside the spacious foyer opens to the living room with cozy fireplace. The open layout of the living spaces allows conversations and people to transition easily between living room, kitchen, and dining room. Back off the foyer a set of double doors opens to the den which could be furnished as a home office, guest room, study or whatever else suites the homeowners' lifestyle. Along the back of the first floor plan is a mud room adding to the storage options. Upstairs you can find all 3 bedrooms, each with a walk-in closet. The owners' suite has a private bathroom with dual vanities. Steps away is the utility room conveniently located near the bedrooms where most of the laundry is generated. Completing the second floor plan is a play room for families with smaller children. If a play room is not needed this could be furnished as a 4th bedroom, hobby room, or exercise studio.

Detached garage plans are a great way to enhance your property. If you love where you live but have found that you need more detached garages can offer you far more than just extra parking for your cars. For those that have recently acquired your dream property and are excited to build but need to start small garage plans with living or “shouse” (shop + house) plans may be your solution for the first phase of creating your dream property.

Shouse or garage apartments come in a variety of sizes and styles. Available with 1 story or 2 story floor plans here are some of our designer’s favorites.

Design 20-119

This two story garage plan is brimming with Craftsman charm. If you love the farmhouse look this garage is a great choice with its blend of batt and board siding with shingle accents. The main level has the 2 car garage with hobby/shop space along the back. It is well separated from the living area which fills the second floor. The stairs to the apartment have a separate entrance from the garage under the large side covered porch. The apartment is well appointed and comfortable enough for long term living or guests. At the top of the stairs a door opens and you are in the vaulted kitchen. The full kitchen offers a range and oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator. A few steps away is a laundry nook with folding counter. The core of the apartment is filled with a vaulted great room which boasts a fireplace and a balcony. The vaulted bedroom is a suite with direct access to the full bathroom and a step-in closet. The vaulted office offers flexibility and can also be furnished as a second bedroom if desired. At 946 square feet there isn’t much that is left out of this luxury garage apartment.

Design 20-018

From the outside it is difficult to tell if this country style garage is a detached garage or a small house plan making it ideal for those who would prefer to build a shouse. The three car garage offers one oversized bay and then a separate two car garage with storage along the back. While a man door connects the garage and shop space there is no direct access to the living area. Back outside a charming covered porch adorned with a rail creates a welcoming space and is ideal for some patio furniture. Inside the living area is cozy and simple. A great room with kitchenette fills most of the living area. Off the entry is a coat closet. Around the corner is a full bathroom and a single bedroom. Those looking to add a detached building that combines additional storage and guest accommodations will find those needs met in this charming detached garage design.

Design 20-350

This detached garage design has it all. Smooth stucco covers most of the exterior with a stone wainscot. An oversized side entry garage can accommodate between 2 and 4 cars if parked in tandem. Along the front another large garage door opens to the vaulted RV bay. These three bays provide 2640 square feet of car storage or work shop space, ideal for the car collector or restoration hobbyist. In additional to the almost here 2700 square feet of garage space this plan offers 1941 square feet of living space. The apartment offers a main floor great room complete with fireplace and full kitchen with eating bar. A small laundry room can be found just a few steps away along with direct access to the RV garage. At the entry to the living area, a staircase leads up to the second floor where all three bedrooms are located. Towards the front of the second floor plan is a comfortable owners’ suite with fireplace and private bathroom plus walk-in closet. The third bedroom is option and could be left as a loft. This garage design is sure to be comfortable year round or as luxurious guest accommodations.

Design 20-152

This lodge inspired garage plan is a favorite of our design team and customers alike. This best-selling garage plan allows for storage of up to 3 cars. The living area is complete separate from the garage with no direct access between the two. An exterior staircase switches back to a small covered deck and the entrance to the second floor living area. Inside the floor plan offers great room style living where the great room, dining room, and kitchen are all open to each other. The kitchen is well appointed and offers additional counter space with a center island. A wood stove is placed between the great room and dining area just to the side of the front door keeping the gathering space cozy during the cold winter months. Off the great room a sliding glass door opens to a vaulted covered balcony. Off the great room is a full bathroom and one bedroom. The 896 square foot apartment is sure to feel cozy and comfortable year round.

Associated Designs has an entire collection of garage plans to help you find the perfect detached garage, shop, or barn plan. When adding to your property taking the time to make sure the design meets all of your needs is important for being happy with the building for years to come. While Associated Designs has a large collection of garage plans, plan modification services are available to help you tailor your next garage, shop, shouse, or barn to your exact specifications.

View Lot House Plan Fox Farm Offers a Unique Floor Plan

There are so many features homeowners will love in the Fox Farm floor plan. First up is the attached 3 car, side load garage. Along the back of the garage a set of double doors opens to a large shop. Back out in the courtyard, slender columns frame the front door giving the home a welcoming, country feel. Inside the foyer offers privacy to the living space beyond that fills up the core of the home. The vaulted great room is spacious and can be opened up to the outdoors through large, double sliding glass doors on three walls. The kitchen is open to the great room with only and island with eating counter to provide some visual separation. A large pantry is just steps away with room for a stand up freezer and additional refridgerator if desired. The bedrooms are well separated in this two bedroom floor plan. The guest suite completes the left wing and offers direct patio access. The main floor master bedroom fills the right side of the home. With a private covered patio, mud hall and large, luxurious bathroom. His-and-hers bathroom each have a large walk-in closet and access to the shared central shower. If more space is needed the upper floor offers a vaulted loft which is open to the great room below plus two large storage rooms that extend over the sides of the home. With views from most of the rooms and easy access to the outdoors, the Fox Farm is a luxurious view lot house plan for those who love outdoor living.