Two Ways to Organize Your Home Layout:
One of the most frequently asked questions about new home floor plans is: can I add a bonus room upstairs, instead of the two story living room?
For most floor plans, the answer is YES. See two versions of the same floor plan built in Raleigh, NC.
The first has a two story great room. The second has an upstairs bonus room. Which layout would you pick for your new home?
Side-by-Side Photos of the same Great Room:
Great Room Layout #1: Two Story Ceilings with curved window wall
VS
Great Room Layout #2: Bonus Room above the great room
While each of these great rooms has a two sided fireplace that looks into the sun room, the first photo has an entry cut-out on each side of the great room.
The first version has a larger built in bookcase, wainscoting above the fireplace, and hardwoods throughout.
Transom windows give the second version more natural light and the full wall makes space for additional furniture and storage.
Great Room Layout #1: Two Story Foyer Overlook and Great Room Overlook
VS
Great Room Layout #2: Two Story Foyer (but no overlook to the great room)
A two story ceiling calls for a hallway overlook along the great room. A single story ceiling makes room for a bonus space upstairs.
Upstairs Bonus Room
By keeping the downstairs great room to a single story ceiling height, you're able to add a second story bonus room with loft style overlook. The bonus room still gives you the second curved wall of windows, just in a separate space:
There are pros and cons to each layout. Which version of this floor plan is your favorite, the two story great room with huge window wall OR a bonus room above, which adds tons of square footage in a usable space?
More Side-by-Side Photos of The Cotswold:
Foyer
Kitchen
Master Suite
Master Bathroom
Sun Room
Breakfast
Dining
Home Office / Study
