We’re holding off on a complete virtual tour of our soon-to-be new home until the sale is finalized and we actually live there. In the meantime, here’s a quick look at the rough floor plan we drew up using floorplanner.com (a free tool). Measurements are approximate, pulled from the inspection and the sales flier, but this gives you the general layout (the washer and dryer are stacked in the small mudroom off the carport):
*There aren’t measurements for smaller spaces like the bathrooms or hallways, but the total square footage of the house is around 2,500 square feet.
If you compare this plan to our current house’s floor plan it may look familiar. We’ve always wanted a bedroom with a true en-suite bath—our current home has only one full bath and none attached to a bedroom—and we’d love a larger family room that can accommodate a big, casual sectional. Sherry has had island envy for years, and this new kitchen could actually support one. All together the new house feels like our current home with a few of the things we’ve been wanting.
We’re grateful we found this place after a long search. It fits most of our priorities: great schools, a convenient location near family, a lovely yard for Burger & The Bean, and it’s within our budget. It’s a bit larger than we aimed for, but at around 2,500 square feet it’s not excessive. We like modest, multi-use spaces and keeping cleaning manageable, but the extra room will make hosting easier—our family gatherings typically number 10–16 people, and our current dining table only seats six. Extra space also means more DIY projects, which we don’t mind.
Below is how we plan to adapt the floor plan to suit our family. Changes in the original post were highlighted in green; here’s a clearer breakdown of what we’re thinking:
Planned updates include:
- Converting the carport into a garage, using a seller credit toward the work.
- Turning the modest dining room into a home office, and adding French doors for separation and light control.
- Transforming the formal front living room into an entry area that opens into a casual dining room/library.
- Adding a larger opening from the new dining/library area into the kitchen for better flow.
- Designating bedrooms for specific uses: one will become a playroom or future nursery, another will be Clara’s bedroom, and the third will serve as a guest room with its own small bathroom instead of sharing a single shower with everyone.
- Adding a kitchen island and widening the doorway that connects to the former family room.
- Making the former family room the primary living room—a single, large casual space where a sectional and plenty of seating will encourage family gatherings. We found three separate rooms with sofas in our current house were unnecessary, so we want one substantial, welcoming living area that keeps everyone together. With the kitchen becoming more centrally located and open on multiple sides, the home will feel airy and accommodating for large groups.
- Exploring a double-sided fireplace by opening up the back side of the existing fireplace so it can be enjoyed from both the kitchen and the living room.
Update: Before moving in we decided to use Bedroom #1 (the smaller, closest bedroom) as Clara’s room and convert Bedroom #2 (the larger, middle bedroom) into a playroom/second kids’ bedroom. Eventually Bedroom #2 may become Clara’s “big girl” room and the future sibling will move into the nursery (Bedroom #1).
We won’t tackle major structural changes right away. We prefer to live in a home for a bit before committing to big projects like knocking down walls or gutting rooms—living in a space often reveals smarter solutions than you’d plan from the outset. Instead, we’ll start with painting walls, cabinets, trim, and doors, swapping light fixtures and hardware, and slowly furnishing the house in a practical, kid-friendly way. These small updates will make the place feel like ours while we get a better sense of how the rooms function.
Honestly, planning and inspiration have taken over our lives lately—stacks of tear sheets and notes surround me. We can’t wait to get started and cozy up the space for everyday life and family gatherings.