Most popular floor plan layouts, finishes, and features for North Carolina new custom homes.

What is a multigenerational home?

Posted by Travars Built Homes on April 8, 2019

Multigenerational homes (sometimes called multi-gen homes, homes with a mother in law suite, or apartment within a home) are designed for families to live together within one single home family dwelling that has an extended guest suite intended for long term stays.

Multigenerational homes are one of the most common reasons why homebuyers choose to build a custom home.

Multi-gen homes can spread out the cost of living so that the combined living space is more affordable than having two separate homes.

Site costs for one home are less expensive than site costs for two homes, with one clearing, one footing, one septic system, and one foundation.

The size of the footprint impacts build costs, so multi-gen homes built with living space on additional floors are typically more cost effective than homes with everyone on one level.

The Hampton Mill | Raleigh Custom Home Builders — See the Hampton Mill floor plan here.

Some multigenerational homes have a kitchenette in the secondary living quarters, for increased independence.

Other families choose to design a larger kitchen around expanded usage, with elements such as dual ovens, a huge island or even two islands for more prep space, and special arrangements such as a microwave below the counter for easier use and aging-in-place future accessibility. Learn more about making changes to your floor plan, here.

White and Black Farmhouse Kitchen | Mebane NC New Homes

Dual master suites give equal prominence to two large bedroom suites with ensuite private bathrooms, big closets and occasionally other private amenities such as a personal sitting area or attached office or laundry room.

The location of dual master suites can vary, with the most common arrangements being one on the main floor and one on the second floor, one in the basement, or both on the main floor. Get floor plans with dual master bedrooms, here.

Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Vaulted Ceiling Master Bedroom

Because schedules and lifestyles can vary within shared living arrangements, building in special features that add to privacy is a very good reason to build a custom home, so that you have the opportunity to include features such as sound dampening between walls or from one floor to another. Solid core door options can also lessen sound travel.

A private entrance so you can come and go without interrupting the main flow of the house is another way to increase that feeling of having your own space.

Depending on the plan and your homesite, you may include an exterior door with a small stoop or porch or another door from the garage to your private hallway.

Travars Built Homes can be built in custom home neighborhoods or countryside locations within about an hour of Chapel Hill. We work closely with you to:

Consider choices for cost effective floor plans that fit your lifestyle and budget

Modify your layout to add multi-gen, accessible or other custom changes

Build your new home with high quality materials, craftsmanship and passion for home building

Offer a wide array of selections, options and upgrades

How to Modify a Floor Plan

Posted by Travars Built Homes on February 7, 2019

Looking for a builder who can change your floor plan?

See 3 examples of how Travars Built Homes can modify the Blufton Way, a floor plan by Frank Betz, with some popular floor plan characteristics. Ask us for more information about design-build custom homes in Durham, NC.

Option 1: Looking for ways to open your floor plan? Create a vaulted ceiling in the family room.

How to Modify a Floor Plan | Custom Homes Durham NC — The Bluffton Way floor plan by Frank Betz.

The Bluffton Way is an open floor plan with 2669 sq ft, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a main floor master, huge kitchen, and open family room.

The modification you see in the rendition above indicates the possibility of going from a flat 12′ ceiling to a vaulted 18′ ceiling with a open rail overlook.

Adding ceiling beams to the family room vault ceiling can provide even more eye appeal and personality.

Option 2: Need another garage stall for a shop, hobby area, or third car – but don’t want to change the front exterior of your floor plan? Consider a carriage garage.

What is a Carriage Garage?

A carriage style garage floor plan has a third stall set to the side, apart from the main garage. (Attaching a traditional third stall to the existing garage would push the front elevation out another 10-14 feet.)

Option 3: Need a spacious place to gather? Add a cost effective bonus room, game room, theater, kids playroom, homeschool, or flex room.

One of the most cost effective ways to add square footage to your floor plan is to eliminate the 2 story great room and add a huge bonus room above it. The ceiling in the great room can still feel spacious – simply add a few steps into the bonus room to keep your 11’+ ceiling height.

Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | Bonus Room

Get information about building a custom home with Travars Built Homes – including more ways to modify your plan in Durham, NC.

3 Ways to Get a Better Bathroom for Your Guests

Posted by Travars Built Homes on January 24, 2019

Here are 3 different floor plan layout approaches for your guest suite bathroom from design build custom home builder Travars Built Homes:

White and Black Bathrooms | Mebane NC New Homes

Approach #1 The bathroom is attached to the guest bedroom and hallway.

Approach #2 The bathroom is between two bedrooms (also know as a “Jack and Jill” bath)

Approach #3 The bathroom is only accessible through the bedroom – this allows for complete privacy.

Design Build Custom Home Process

Build On Your Lot North Carolina

Guest Suite Bathroom Idea #1: Bath Shared with Common Areas

One of the most common layouts for a guest suite maximizes usability while minimizing cost by including a full bath with access from both the guest bedroom and main areas.

The layout has a second door from the guest bedroom directly into the bath so guests have full privacy but homeowners are spared the expense of an additional private bath.

See more of this modern farmhouse, the Norwich here:

Modern Farmhouse Floor Plan | Pittsboro New Home Builder

Guest Suite Bathroom Idea #2: Jack and Jill Bath

This floor plan illustrates a “Jack and Jill” bathroom, where two bedrooms share a bathroom. With this layout, a guest would share a bathroom with someone in another bedroom, but would have the ability to close off that bathroom.

Jack and Jill Floor Plan | Pittsboro New Home Builder

This floor plan, the Blackstone also has a powder room on the main floor, so the designation of this layout would be that the Jack and Jill bathroom would typically be limited to use by people in those two bedrooms, with semi-private usage.

Guest Suite Bathroom Idea #3: Full, Private Bath

In this floor plan, there is already a full bath beside the mudroom and guest bedroom. With a small expansion to the exterior wall of the bathroom, we can change the functionality of the space.

Take a look at the redline modifications. By expanding the bathroom slightly, it can be accessed en-suite, providing total privacy for the guest suite:

The redline modification at the foyer illustrates how to add a separate powder room on the main floor.

Get in touch with the team at Travars Built Homes for more floor plans and details about building a new home in Chapel Hill, Durham, Pittsboro, or another area in central North Carolina.

Category: Floor Plans

Multigenerational homes (sometimes called multi-gen homes, homes with a mother in law suite, or apartment within a home) are designed for families to live together within one single home family dwelling that has an extended guest suite intended for long term stays.

Multigenerational homes are one of the most common reasons why homebuyers choose to build a custom home.

Multi-gen homes can spread out the cost of living so that the combined living space is more affordable than having two separate homes.

Site costs for one home are less expensive than site costs for two homes, with one clearing, one footing, one septic system, and one foundation.

The size of the footprint impacts build costs, so multi-gen homes built with living space on additional floors are typically more cost effective than homes with everyone on one level.

Some multigenerational homes have a kitchenette in the secondary living quarters, for increased independence.

Dual master suites give equal prominence to two large bedroom suites with ensuite private bathrooms, big closets and occasionally other private amenities such as a personal sitting area or attached office or laundry room.

The location of dual master suites can vary, with the most common arrangements being one on the main floor and one on the second floor, one in the basement, or both on the main floor. Get floor plans with dual master bedrooms, here.

A private entrance so you can come and go without interrupting the main flow of the house is another way to increase that feeling of having your own space.

Depending on the plan and your homesite, you may include an exterior door with a small stoop or porch or another door from the garage to your private hallway.

Travars Built Homes can be built in custom home neighborhoods or countryside locations within about an hour of Chapel Hill. We work closely with you to:

Consider choices for cost effective floor plans that fit your lifestyle and budget

Modify your layout to add multi-gen, accessible or other custom changes

Build your new home with high quality materials, craftsmanship and passion for home building

Offer a wide array of selections, options and upgrades

Looking for a builder who can change your floor plan?

See 3 examples of how Travars Built Homes can modify the Blufton Way, a floor plan by Frank Betz, with some popular floor plan characteristics. Ask us for more information about design-build custom homes in Durham, NC.

Option 1: Looking for ways to open your floor plan? Create a vaulted ceiling in the family room.

The Bluffton Way is an open floor plan with 2669 sq ft, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a main floor master, huge kitchen, and open family room.

The modification you see in the rendition above indicates the possibility of going from a flat 12′ ceiling to a vaulted 18′ ceiling with a open rail overlook.

Adding ceiling beams to the family room vault ceiling can provide even more eye appeal and personality.

Option 2: Need another garage stall for a shop, hobby area, or third car – but don’t want to change the front exterior of your floor plan? Consider a carriage garage.

What is a Carriage Garage?

A carriage style garage floor plan has a third stall set to the side, apart from the main garage. (Attaching a traditional third stall to the existing garage would push the front elevation out another 10-14 feet.)

Option 3: Need a spacious place to gather? Add a cost effective bonus room, game room, theater, kids playroom, homeschool, or flex room.

One of the most cost effective ways to add square footage to your floor plan is to eliminate the 2 story great room and add a huge bonus room above it. The ceiling in the great room can still feel spacious – simply add a few steps into the bonus room to keep your 11’+ ceiling height.

Get information about building a custom home with Travars Built Homes – including more ways to modify your plan in Durham, NC.

Here are 3 different floor plan layout approaches for your guest suite bathroom from design build custom home builder Travars Built Homes:

Approach #1 The bathroom is attached to the guest bedroom and hallway.

Approach #2 The bathroom is between two bedrooms (also know as a “Jack and Jill” bath)

Approach #3 The bathroom is only accessible through the bedroom – this allows for complete privacy.

Guest Suite Bathroom Idea #1: Bath Shared with Common Areas

One of the most common layouts for a guest suite maximizes usability while minimizing cost by including a full bath with access from both the guest bedroom and main areas.

The layout has a second door from the guest bedroom directly into the bath so guests have full privacy but homeowners are spared the expense of an additional private bath.

See more of this modern farmhouse, the Norwich here:

Guest Suite Bathroom Idea #2: Jack and Jill Bath

This floor plan illustrates a “Jack and Jill” bathroom, where two bedrooms share a bathroom. With this layout, a guest would share a bathroom with someone in another bedroom, but would have the ability to close off that bathroom.

This floor plan, the Blackstone also has a powder room on the main floor, so the designation of this layout would be that the Jack and Jill bathroom would typically be limited to use by people in those two bedrooms, with semi-private usage.

Guest Suite Bathroom Idea #3: Full, Private Bath

In this floor plan, there is already a full bath beside the mudroom and guest bedroom. With a small expansion to the exterior wall of the bathroom, we can change the functionality of the space.

Take a look at the redline modifications. By expanding the bathroom slightly, it can be accessed en-suite, providing total privacy for the guest suite:

The redline modification at the foyer illustrates how to add a separate powder room on the main floor.

Get in touch with the team at Travars Built Homes for more floor plans and details about building a new home in Chapel Hill, Durham, Pittsboro, or another area in central North Carolina.