Homes Should Not be Designed as 'One Size Fits All'

Each person utilizes their home’s spaces differently, and Housing Design Matters urges builders to remember that. If one buyer enjoys a sitting room in an owner's suite, it does not mean everyone else would, for example, which is why home designs need diversity. It all starts with the target buyer, yet even though you already identified a target buyer, and they’re all Millennials, let's say, there still needs to be options. This could be providing different floor plans, but also providing custom options. Even if the custom options are pre-planned and designed, but buyers have a choice whether or not to add in a feature, they will feel like they added their own personal touch.

Since everyone lives in a home, we are all experts at how we live. Doesn’t everyone want the same thing we want? Well, no – not at all. This is perhaps the hardest thing for builders and designers to overcome. I especially see this phenomenon with medium and small market builders. They will have three or four floor plans that all live the same. Maybe it’s the kitchen to great room relationship. Perhaps it’s the den forward instead of back. Each floor plan has its merits and its buyers, but only offering one type limits your buyer pool. For example, take the two spaces below. Do you envision the same buyer for each? I sure don’t!

Don’t be afraid to build houses that you wouldn’t personally live in – that’s what you should be doing! I’m not suggesting that you build something unlivable, but it is important to step out of your comfort zone and think about what your buyers might value.

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