Whether you would like an extended guest suite or small apartment upstairs, downstairs, or in the basement, here are ways to create your multi-gen home that can make everybody happy.

#1 Multi-gen Floor Plan Layout – Space to add a small apartment

This custom home can have a small apartment inside, with private living quarters! It can have as many as 3550 square feet (with an optional huge bonus room over the great room) with 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. Here’s where the apartment can go: Take a look at the right side of the main floor. We can re-arrange that entire area to create a bigger bathroom, living room – even a kitchenette.  The Cotswold also has a sunroom that can become a home office. Lots of possibilities, with this popular plan.

#2 Multi-gen Floor Plan Layout: Living Room, Bedroom and Bath off a private hallway on the main floor

This multi-gen home is designed for extended stay guests to spread out in their own personal space with a living room in addition to a large bedroom and bath, accessed off a private hallway on the main floor. The Greenhaven comes with up to 3716 square feet, with up to 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. There’s also a Family Room and Library downstairs, as well as a Play Room up. The Master Suite and all bedrooms other than the guest suite are upstairs.

#3 Multi-gen Floor Plan Layout – Dual Master Suites – one on each floor

This custom designed multi-gen home has 4345 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, dual master suites, home theater, office, exercise room, dog room and formal dining. The Barcelona provides spacious private master suites on separate floors, and generous main living areas. The huge chef’s kitchen is designed for everyone to share.

#4 Multi-gen Floor Plan Layout – Dual Master Suites on Separate Floors with entire third floor designated as shared entertainment space

This multi-gen home has 5751 square feet, 4 bedrooms. 4.5 baths. Private master suites in separated areas. Movie set stairway with incredible overlook. Amazing chef’s kitchen. Entertainment floor with full bar and fireplace. Cafe style breakfast nook. Massive built-ins. Curved balcony overlook. More than 80 windows. Pet rooms. The Grand Lodge is the ultimate in luxury living for multi-gen families, with something for everyone.

#5 Multi-gen Floor Plan Layout – Guest Suite on the main floor that can be expanded for a more spacious retreat

This custom main floor master home starts with 3160 square feet. 4 bedrooms. 4 baths, with a first floor guest suite that is tucked into the opposite corner from the master. The guest suite can be expanded with a sitting room and other elements that add independence.  The Statesman has a vaulted great room that is open to the kitchen that has two islands with lots of wide open space for mingling. There’s a bonus room and two en-suite bedrooms on the second floor.

#6 Multi-gen Floor Plan Layout – Mother in Law Suite Downstairs, Master Suite Upstairs

This custom designed multi-gen home has 4,364 Sq Ft. 5 bedrooms. 4.5 bathrooms. The owner’s suite is upstairs and Mom’s bedroom suite with a big walk-in closet and private bath is downstairs. Two islands in the kitchen allow for lots of cooks in the kitchen, with easy interactions with whatever is happening in the breakfast, sitting, and keeping room. The Serengeti also has a home office and a prayer room.

#7 Multi-gen Floor Plan Layout – Guest Suite on the main floor 

This beautiful Craftsman home was designed for family, starting with up to 3323 square feet, with as many as 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. There’s a big bonus room and a loft upstairs. The chef’s kitchen has an enormous island. (And you can add an island to the huge master suite closet, too.) A guest suite (which can also be an office) is conveniently placed by the front door, with its own bathroom and a beautiful tiled shower. Can you expand it? Of course! Ask us about all the possibilities.

#8 Multi-gen Floor Plan Layout – Dual Master Suites with a small apartment on the main floor

The Maple Lane can be as big as 3584 square feet (with the optional bonus room over the great room) with 5 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. The small apartment within the home is on the first floor, with a bedroom, sitting room (that can have a kitchenette added) and bathroom – as well as outdoor living access. The Master Suite is on the second floor, with its own sitting room, private Romeo and Juliet deck, huge walk in closet with cabinet island and an adjoining exercise room. 

#9 Multi-gen Floor Plan Layout – Small Apartment in the Basement

A custom home like this can dedicate the entire walk-out basement to a small apartment. The Treehouse has 3611 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. In addition to massive walls of windows to capture natural light, there is a sun room off the kitchen. The basement rendering indicating a gameroom, storage, office and gym can become a living room, kitchenette, bathroom and a couple of bedrooms. As with all small apartments within a home, check with local ordinances, zoning, community covenants and your builder for regulations regarding single family dwellings.

#12 Multi-gen Floor Plan Layout – Small Apartment on the Second Floor, with Elevator Access

The Dugan has 3184 square feet with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. It can be built with an elevator to the upstairs, like this version, and can also have full accessibility throughout the home as you can see in the photos when you click on the image above. As with all custom homes built by Stanton Homes, we can modify this custom designed home even further to accommodate special needs

Here are 9 approaches to a wrap around porch, on custom homes built by Stanton Homes in the Raleigh region:

Wrap Around Porch Design #1 – Double-Decker

The massive porch wraps the back of the Horse Country Estate home on two levels. The first level is concrete and the second level is decking.

Wrap Around Porch Design #2 – Verandah

The wrap around porch on the Daniel extends across the front and right side of the home, with width deep enough to add plenty of outdoor furniture. This home has a second story deck, too, around back.

Wrap Around Porch Design #3 – Custom Designed

The wrap around porch on the Gershwin is accentuated by a beautiful hand-built railing designed as the focal point of curb appeal.

Wrap Around Porch Design #4 – Traditional Porch with Victorian Style

The wrap around porch on this Victorian style home offers new traditions to a classic brick exterior.

Wrap Around Porch Design #5 – Entertainment

The wrap around porch on the McCoy has almost as much space as the inside of the home. It was designed specifically for spacious outdoor entertainment, for a home that sits in the middle of town. The arts and crafts home also has a garage with covered walkway.

Wrap Around Porch Design #6 – Portico

The Cynthia’s Ridge home has a wrap around porch around a turret-style portico. The metal roofing follows around the portico.

Wrap Around Porch Design #7 – Craftsman

The Craftsman appeal of the wrap around porch on the Chalet Vert contributes to the popularity of this plan.

Wrap Around Porch Design #8 – Modern Country Farmhouse

The Low Country Farmhouse has a huge porch on two sides of the home, designed for countryside living with wide open “welcome.”

Wrap Around Porch Design #9 – Low Country Farmhouse

This country farmhouse porch wraps around on two sides of the front exterior, for true country style outdoor living.

Can I add a wrap around porch to the new custom home I am building?

Many building sites in the Raleigh region are rich with wooded privacy or vast views, especially in communities or countryside locations where lots are on acreage.

Before choosing your porch plan, take into consideration:

– The amount of space around your new home, which can determine how large the porch can be

– Will trees be in the way and need to be removed?

– Is there enough yard space to accommodate the extra width without encroaching required setbacks?

– Does the porch style match the home style?

– Do you want the porch to have rounded corners or traditional 90 degree angles?

– What type of flooring, hand railing, columns, balusters, or posts are appropriate, given the style of the home?

Can a wrap around porch be created for as short or long as a distance as we would like?

How big your porch is depends on a number of factors.

Wrap-around porches can typically be two, three, or four sided to wrap partially or wholly around the house.

Wrap-around porches can also be broken into multiple sections by adding several access points from alcoves in the home.

However, specific elements of the plan can contribute to the size of your wrap around porch, including:

– What the roofline is doing

– Where windows and doors are located

– The architectural style of your home

How much does a wrap around porch cost to build?

Expect your wrap around porch to start at around $10K or more, depending on these factors as well as requirements specific to your homesite. Your custom home builder should be able to tell you the precise cost for the wrap around porch that you would like, on the floor plan you have chosen, at your location. New custom home wrap around porch build cost is based on:

– Total square footage of porch space – Type of porch surface (choices include concrete, wood, brick, slate, tile, and more)

– Type of railings

– Type of support pillars (Hand built Craftsman stone columns are the most expensive, basic 4×4 support post are least expensive, with a wide range of options between)

– Type of roof (standing seam metal, rounded, copper, dimensional shingles)

– Height from the ground

Other important considerations as you ponder a wrap around porch:

Add electrical outlets.

Wireless internet must encompass the porch area.

All built-in lighting and ceiling fans should be planned during framing and electrical rough in stages.

Wrap around porches can be one of the most expensive add-ons to a custom home, as you are extending the exterior of the home, which is among the top costs for your new home. Think in terms of tens of thousands when you decide how much porch you’d like, and check with your builder for specific pricing.

Benefits, styles, options and costs when building a Raleigh new home with a wrap around porch

– Sunrise view in the morning and sunset view at night

– All day comfort, in your choice of sun or shade

– Social and entertainment space

– Outdoor living space perfect for hammocks, rocking chairs or swings

Wrap-around porches can be two, three, or four sided to wrap partially or wholly around the house.

Wrap-around porches can also be broken into multiple sections by adding several access points from alcoves in the home.

Two story porches, attached walkways, attached gazebos, and outdoor staircases leading from ground level to the porch or from different porch levels are also build options

What is an interior balcony?

Home plans with indoor balconies have an overlook to the main floor. An indoor balcony provides views and conversations between floors, for a feeling of continuity that is opened up from what would typically be a solid wall in most plans.

Looking for a new home builder in the Raleigh area? Contact us to learn the steps to build a new home in central North Carolina.

#1 Interior Balcony – Second story balcony overlooking the great room

This curved balcony overlook spans the great room, adding connection and interest to a Raleigh new home with open floor plan.

#2 Interior Balcony – Loft and Overlook

In the photo below, the open rails in an upstairs loft and balcony overlook are further emphasized by ebony stained railings that give this custom home a contemporary feel.

#3 Interior Balcony – Foyer overlook

Foyers can exhibit welcoming appeal with a balcony overhead. In the photo of a custom home below, this two story foyer overlook provides views of stained wood ceiling inside the foyer.

#4 Interior Balcony – Two sided overlook into the foyer and great room

This balcony photo gives the appearance of being suspended over the foyer, with an elevator entrance below. The two story ceiling is a barrel vault.

#5 Interior Balcony – Dual sided room length balcony

This interior balcony photo shows how an open overlook can add a feeling of spaciousness to an upstairs hallway. The painted white railing adds classic appeal.

#6 Interior Balcony – Dual Stairway

Two separate staircases lead to the balcony in this estate home photo – the elegant curved staircase in the foyer as well as a wide staircase at the rear of the custom home. Designed as the center of attention, this balcony is framed by curved railings. The dark stained railing adds to the flow and high end features of this exquisite new home.

#7 Interior Balcony – Half Wall Balcony

Half-wall balconies as in the custom home photo below provide a totally different look as opposed to the open feel of wrought iron or painted railing. The red brick fireplace and light blue painted island give this a contemporary farmhouse feel.

#8 Interior Balcony – Foyer Extension

Want a grand entrance in your foyer with an overlook above? You can have an indoor balcony without a two story living room. In the photo below of a custom home with an interior balcony, the only overlook is to the two story foyer. The remainder of the home has one story height to its ceilings, to take advantage of more living space upstairs with a room over the great room.

#9 Interior Balcony – Wrap Around

A wrap-around balcony says “custom home” with extensive overlooks. In the photo below of a custom home with a full wall of windows in the great room, an extra wide hallway gives this balcony even more importance with views not only of the home’s interior, but of everything outside.

#10 Interior Balcony – Catwalk Overlook

In the custom home photo below, a catwalk interior balcony accentuates this open floor plan.

#11 Interior Balcony – Multiple Overlooks

There are two interior balcony areas – one hallway overlook and another in the loft (below the arched opening in this photo). The white painted newel posts add a modern farmhouse look to this interior balcony.

#12 Interior Balcony – Classic Overlook

The photo of this custom home illustrates how much a beautiful stairway and classic overlook can impact the look of a custom home. With a wall of windows to one side and a “wow” formal dining room to the other, this view is stunning.

You’ll want to catch all the views of this living room window wall – including from the second story balcony.

#13 Interior Balcony – Intimate Overlook

A small balcony tucked in next to a staircase can provide a break in long hallways with a peek at what’s happening below.

#14 Interior Balcony – Contemporary Overlook

This Contemporary Overlook Interior Balcony in the photo below stays true to the architectural intent, with clean lines and artistic angles.

Stanton Homes builds new custom homes throughout the Triangle area of North Carolina – tell us your favorite floor plan, and we’ll walk you through you next steps to build your custom home.

New Home Trends from Custom Home Builder Stanton Homes

What’s the best ceiling height for a great room? [Photos and Dimensions]

Multigenerational New Homes Raleigh [with floor plans]

Main Floor Master Plans for Raleigh Craftsman Homes

Best mudroom designs, sizes, and layouts [Mudroom Drop Zone Photos]

No tub for the bath? [Master bath floor plans with no tub]

7 Corner Pantry Ideas [with Floor Plans] for Chapel Hill New Homes

9 House Plans with Flex Space [With Floor Plan Layouts]

11 Window Styles for New Homes [Window Style Guide Photos]

Thinking of building a new home? Contact us to learn the steps to build a new home in NC.

White Kitchen Design Idea #1: White Subway Tile and White Cabinets

Inside this kitchen, you’ll find examples of Ashen White granite counter tops, white maple cabinets (with full overlay doors, soft close hinges and glides, full extension drawers, dovetail hardwood), and a 4×4 white subway tile back splash. Get a floor plan flyer for this home.

White Kitchen Design Idea #2: White Cabinets, Tile, and Counters

Here is an example of an all white kitchen, with white painted cabinets, granite counters, and classic white subway tile back splash. These granite counter tops are called “Platinum Blue“. You can request a floor plan and tour this home, a version of the Glenview, available now in Chatham County, North Carolina.

White Kitchen Design Idea #3: White Apron Sink

This white, black, and gray kitchen photo shows examples of arabesque pattern tile, “Thunder White” granite counter tops, and white painted maple wood cabinets. There is also a white apron sink, pot filler above the gas range, stainless steel hood, and double wall ovens. This kitchen opens to the great room (see the wall of windows here, as well as white Cararra marble in the master bath).

White Kitchen Design Idea #4: Blue and White Kitchens

This home is 3445 Sq Ft with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, main floor master suite, and basement. The farmhouse floor plan is packed with windows on all sides and a beautiful wrapping front porch. The blue island cabinets are called “Ocean“. The tile back splash uses a clear crystal glass 3×6 tile in “Icelandic blue“. The counter tops are white quartz. See more details inside this home.

White Kitchen Design Idea #5: Two Tone Cabinets and Granite

This multigenerational new home is over 4,000 Sq Ft with 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and two islands in the kitchen. The two tone kitchen cabinets are maple wood painted in white and slate gray. The counter tops are called “Luna Pearl” granite (the islands) and “Steel Gray” granite (the perimeter and inside the pantry). View the photo tour of this home.

White Kitchen Design Idea #6: Two Tone Cabinets and Granite

This new custom home is a multigenerational floor plan with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The floor plan offers flexibility throughout with an optional private living room for long term guests (in addition to the second master bedroom style amenities). The white granite is called “New Caledonia“. The blue island cabinets are maple wood, painted in “Ocean“.

White Kitchen Design Idea #7: White Tile and Black Grout

This new home has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a first floor master suite, open layout, and upstairs media and craft rooms. The dark granite is called “Black Pearl“. The cabinets are white maple wood. The island is hickory chestnut with a black glaze finish. See photos of the stained wood beam ceiling in the great room, two tone island kitchen, and painted wainscoting dining room. Find the tour and floor plans, here.

White Kitchen Design Idea #8: Chocolate Glaze on White Cabinets

This Raleigh new home is over 3,000 sq ft with 4 bedrooms and 4 baths. The design incorporates traditional home elements such as red brick, black shutters, and white columns, with the modern layout of a downstairs master suite and first floor guest suite. The white cabinets have a “Chocolate Glaze” and the island has a “Black Glaze“. See the full photo tour and house plans.

White Kitchen Design Idea #9: Espresso and White Kitchens

This luxury new home features a gourmet kitchen with two islands and an open layout. Around the corner, you’ll find a home bar with wine fridge, ice maker, glass front cabinets, and built-in sink. See the photos. The island white cabinets include a gray glaze. The granite counter tops are called “Cream Espresso” and “Rocky Mountain“.

White Kitchen Design Idea #10: White farmhouse sink

This classic farmhouse kitchen design includes a white apron front sink, white tile back splash and cabinets, black granite, and white wainscoting columns. See the farmhouse photos.

White Kitchen Design Idea #11:

This Raleigh new home is 2,840 Sq Ft with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and one story living with a second story bonus room. The open floor plan includes a main floor owner’s suite, island kitchen that opens to the great room, formal dining room, study, and mud room style laundry.

The kitchen cabinets are white painted maple and chestnut stained hickory. The back splash is a glossy Genesi tile called “Tortora“. See more photos. Request the floor plan flyer.

White Kitchen Design Idea #12: White Subway Tile Herringbone Pattern

At just over 2,000 sq ft, this custom home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an island kitchen with open dining space, large great room with wide windows and a wainscoting-topped fireplace, a laundry room with sink, and a split three car garage. The white kitchen features black granite counter tops, a herringbone tile design above the range, stainless steel hood with glass, and gray painted island. Take a look inside.

White Kitchen Design Idea #13:

This arts and crafts kitchen design includes white cabinets with a chestnut stained hickory island. The back splash is a 3×6 “Golden Natural” tile. From the open concept island kitchen to the mudroom style laundry and three car detached garage, this spacious home is designed for today’s lifestyle. View the full photo tour.

White Kitchen Design Idea #14:

This home is 3,528 Sq Ft with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and an island kitchen with raised bar seating and two tone cabinet design. The counter tops and tile back splash bring in warm, natural tones. See the open floor plan design photos.

White Kitchen Design Idea #15:

This white and black kitchen includes two sinks, double wall ovens, and a stainless steel hood above the gas range. The perimeter cabinets are a white painted maple. The island is painted gray. See inside this Apex NC new home.

White Kitchen Design Idea #16:

This Chapel Hill new home is 2,694 Sq Ft with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. The luxury kitchen includes white maple cabinets with an antique finish and an espresso stain on island. The white, gray, and black tile back splash is a horizontal listello design. The granite pictured here is called “Steel Gray”. The island granite is called “San Luiz”. See more photos.

White Kitchen Design Idea #17:

This Apex new home is 2,834 Sq Ft with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and a first floor master bedroom. The white and blue kitchen is two stories tall. The island is painted in “1655 Blue Bay Marina“. Find more photos of this contemporary kitchen design.

Stanton Homes builds new custom homes throughout the Triangle area of North Carolina – tell us your favorite floor plan, and we’ll walk you through you next steps to build your custom home.

What are some of the most common types of windows in North Carolina new homes? Here is a quick guide to 11 popular new home window shapes and styles: picture, interior, casement, double-hung, transom, triangle, trapezoid, arch, craftsman square, bay, and obscure.

New Home Window Style #1: Picture Windows

Picture windows are usually large, and always stationary. Picture windows are used most often in master bathrooms, great rooms, and kitchens (above the sink). This first floor master house plan has large picture windows in the great room. See the rest of the craftsman design photos, here.

New Home Window Style #2: Interior Windows

Interior windows can be used to separate living spaces, without blocking the natural light coming in from a screen room or sun room. Here is an example of an interior picture window placed between the sun room and great room. See the floor plans, here.

New Home Window Style #3: Casement Windows

Casement windows can be hinged left or right, to open outwards (rather than sliding up and down). Casement windows open with a crank mechanism. See three different examples of casement windows (click on the photos to request a house plan):

New Home Window Style #4: Double-Hung Windows

Single-hung or ‘standard’ windows open in one direction: the bottom panel typically slides upwards.

With double-hung windows, both glass panels open, sliding from the top and bottom. While casement windows swing outward, double-hung windows remain parallel to your home.

This master bedroom and sitting room uses double-hung windows (distinct by the small gap in the casing left open for the bottom panel to slide upwards).

New Home Window Style #5: Transom Windows

Transom windows are usually small, accent windows placed above a door or window to let more light in, or to add visual interest. Transoms may or may not operate (i.e. open to let air in). Transom windows in the shower can also be a great way to let in some natural light.

See views of these transom windows (and the other side of the two-sided fireplace) from the outside – see the photo gallery here.

Transom windows can make a big difference in small showers by letting in light and giving some personality to the space. The tile wraps into the window, keeping a tight seal.

New Home Window Style #6: Triangle

Triangle windows are often used to make beautiful designs. They can be accent windows in a great room, or stand-alone windows in creative spaces.

New Home Window Style #7: Trapezoid

The great room has window views from all angles — with triangle and trapezoid shaped windows reaching up into the two story vaulted ceiling. See more photos of Cynthia’s Ridge, here.

These trapezoid windows top the full wall of windows in a version of the Treehouse – get the floor plan here.

New Home Window Style #8: Arch or Radius

Arch or radius windows have a curved or half-circle top and rectangular bottom. Arch and radius windows, similar to triangle windows, make great accent pieces – usually placed above “standard” rectangle windows.

New Home Window Style #9: Square Craftsman

Craftsman style windows are very popular in North Carolina new homes – and fit well in large and small spaces from the foyer and great room to the master suite.

New Home Window Style #10: Bay Windows

Alcoves or bays give you more interior space by extending a small area outwards. Bay windows usually fill alcove spaces, for plenty of natural and moon light.

New Home Window Style #11: Obscure

Obscure windows are most common in the foyer and master bathroom. They let light in, without allowing views in or out. The shape, texture, or color of a window can cause the obscuring effect. These glass blocks use a distinct pattern to obscure views into the master bathroom.

See more photos of this custom shower in the Coquery Cottage photo gallery:

These 9 custom house plans come with open concept spaces, kitchen layout options, and rooms designed for flexible use. Take a look at one story, two story, multigenerational, and main floor master plans – and let us know what comes closet to the home you want to build!

This list of floor plan layouts demonstrates the difference in long-term flexibility of design when building a custom Stanton Home. How will your family use these spaces?

Flex Space House Plan #1: The Astoria

The Astoria, a Garrell & Associates house plan, offers: 3054-3374 Sq Ft | 5 Bedrooms | 4 Baths

Simply add a door to convert the first floor living room or guest bedroom into an office.

The optional three car garage leaves space to include a workshop or hobby area. The two story great room converts into a one story great room to add space for a 20×16 game room upstairs. Get more details about the Astoria, here.

Flex Space House Plan #2: The Autumn Brooke

Contact us to see this home near Chapel Hill, NC,

The Autumn Brooke offers: 3150 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths

The vaulted keeping room can convert into a library with French doors and a second fireplace. Love to look of built ins? The long walls are perfect for bookcases, storage or cubbies. The four windows – and vaulted ceiling – keep the room feeling open and bright, even when closing off the space with doors. Get a flyer for the Autumn Brooke, here.

Flex Space House Plan #3: The Cabot

The Cabot, a Chapel Hill new home design by Frank Betz, offers: 3530 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Baths

Need flex space upstairs? See two versions of the Cabot’s 2nd story floor plan – the first includes a study and the second shows a fully open concept loft. There’s also a secret pantry in the kitchen! – get the full floor plans here.

Flex Space House Plan #4: The Glenview

The Glenview, available now in Chatham County, offers: 3530 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Baths

Inside this Frank Betz floor plan, there is a lot of flexibility upstairs to meet your needs. See two versions of the plan – with options for a loft and game room. Get more details about the Glenview, here.

Flex Space House Plan #5: The Hickory Flat

The Hickory Flat, a white country farmhouse plan, offers: 2653-2938 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Baths

Looking for house plans with flex space for a mother-in-law, extended guest, or long-term multigen plan? The Hickory Flat, a Frank Betz house plan, makes it easy to convert secondary bedrooms into dual living space. Just add a door (or two) and you’ll have a private suite for mom and dad:

Request a flyer for the Hickory Flat.

Flex Space House Plan #6: The Low Country Farmhouse

The Low Country Farmhouse offers: 2622-2932 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths

See two versions of the Country Farmhouse, built by Stanton Homes in North Carolina. Farmhouse #1 and Farmhouse #2.

The flexible storage makes this home unique – with a large laundry room, mud room, and walk in pantry. Upstairs, you have the option of a game room above the great room. Get the floor plans, here.

Flex Space House Plan #7: The Prairie Sky

The Prairie Sky offers: 2912 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths

This house plan, a modern farmhouse with one story living from www.architecturaldesigns.com (Plan 51104MM), offers an upstairs bonus room full of possibilities.

Request a flyer for the Prairie Sky.

Flex Space House Plan #8: The Warrenton

The Warrenton offers: 2543 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths

Looking for ways to add an office instead of a dining room? Here are some important home builder tips:

– Add cable and phone jacks during plan review. Usually asking for additional phone and cable jacks before construction begins can mean a small charge – but it will be much harder to run wiring for once the home is finished.

– Consider adding a butler’s pantry or wall of built-in cabinets. These cabinets will be very useful whether the room is used as an office or as a dining room. Whether you choose to add a formal butler’s pantry, or just a basic set of cabinets, it is helpful – in the office, store all your office supplies out of sight.

Request a flyer for the Warrenton, copyright www.ArchitecturalDesigns.com & Associates.

Flex Space House Plan #9: The Greenhaven

The Greenhaven offers: 3530 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Baths

See three versions of the Greenhaven kitchen (we’ll show you how to convert a peninsula into an island and open the kitchen to the family room).

No matter what choice you make, think about versatility, and work with your builder to incorporate the functions that you need most – without reducing the ability to sell your home in the future. Stanton Homes builds new custom homes throughout the Triangle area of North Carolina – tell us your favorite floor plan, and we’ll walk you through you next steps to build your custom home.

Corner pantries provide tons of storage for everything you want to put away. Here are seven popular kitchen storage ideas from Chapel Hill new home builder Stanton Homes, with corner pantry floor plan layouts.

Corner Pantry Design Idea #1: L-Shaped Wood Shelves and Built-in Spice Rack

This corner pantry provides a tremendous amount of space without interrupting the flow of an open island kitchen. For more photos of this Chapel Hill new home kitchen, click here for the gallery (or request an in-person tour, here).

Corner Pantry Design Idea #2: Window in the Pantry

Looking for ways to add natural light into your storage areas? This corner pantry (on the front wall of the home) includes a window and wrap around wood shelving.

Corner Pantry Design Idea #3: Counter Top Inside the Corner Pantry

This corner pantry includes a custom-sized granite counter top with electrical outlet above. For more photos of this Chapel Hill new home kitchen, click here for the gallery.

Corner Pantry Design Idea #4: Hidden Around the Corner

This walk in pantry is tucked around the corner and out of sight. For more photos of this Chapel Hill new home kitchen, click here for the gallery.

Corner Pantry Design Idea #5: Corner of the Kitchen

See an example of a corner kitchen pantry with L-shaped storage, designed for walk-in use. For more photos of this Chapel Hill new home kitchen, click here for the gallery.

Corner Pantry Design Idea #6: Pantry and Mudroom Style Laundry

This is one of the most popular locations for a corner pantry – across from the mudroom style laundry, and around the corner from the large island kitchen. For more photos of this accessible Chapel Hill new home kitchen (with extra wide doorways), click here for the gallery.

Corner Pantry Design Idea #7: Glass Pantry Doors

We love this glass “Pantry” door! For more photos of this accessible Chapel Hill new home kitchen (with extra wide doorways), click here for the gallery.

Chapel Hill Kitchen Designs with Pantry Cabinets:

Looking for pantries hidden behind cabinet doors? See examples of cabinets with roll-out shelving designed for use as kitchen pantries:

See the photo gallery of this home, a version of the Barcelona, here.

See a photo gallery of this home, a version of the Horse Country Estate, here.

See photo galleries of homes with a corner pantry

And then contact Stanton Homes for more information about move-in ready new homes, or custom home building option:

The Bellemont

The Dunston

The Cotswold

The Maple Lane

Stanton Homes builds new custom homes throughout the Triangle area of North Carolina – tell us your favorite floor plan, and we’ll walk you through you next steps to build your custom home.

When building a Stanton Home, energy efficiency comes standard, with cleaner air and lower heating and cooling costs, through Third Party Energy Certification.

Technological and scientific energy advancements are built-in, inspected, and qualified to make your new home more comfortable. Extra measures are taken at every step of your build to earn ecoSelect certification, including rigorous scrutiny by independent certification professionals, including:

• On-site visual inspections
• Performance testing, including Blower Doors and HVAC systems
• Verification of features that address water efficiency, air leakage, and indoor air quality

What is a HERS Index?

Southern Energy Management and other energy providers providing the third party energy certification use the nationally-recognized HERS Index to indicate the energy efficiency of each new Stanton Home. The HERS score indicates the level of indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and water efficiency – with an average rating of 71 on recently certified new Stanton Homes, compared to a score of 100 on standard new homes – with our standard construction processes. The lower the score, the better, when it comes to the HERS Index.

How does Stanton Homes achieve its impressive energy efficiency ratings?

Low-e, high performance windows, programmable thermostats for custom heating and cooling periods, high efficiency HVAC systems with tightly sealed ducts, advanced air sealing throughout conditioned spaces, reduced water usage through low-flow WaterSense certified fixtures, and energy efficient lighting fixtures all contribute to the energy efficiency rating of your new Stanton Home.

Contact the experts at Stanton Homes to learn more about building an energy efficient home with significant heating and cooling savings, air quality comfort, and third party certification. Visit Southern Energy Management to learn more about ecoSelect.

Below are photos and floor plans with some examples of master bath designs without a tub – for your central North Carolina new home.

Looking for a move-in ready home near Chapel Hill, NC? Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or view available homes here.

No Tub in the Master Bath – Layout #1

Looking for a master bathroom with an oversized shower and no tub? In this version of the Bennett (a Raleigh new home), the master bathroom features a centerpiece shower with separate his and her vanities on each side.

Inside, there are two shower heads (one attached and one hand-held). See the master bathroom layout with no tub in this floor plan, below. Eliminating a tub makes more room for this double-sized walk in closet, too.

No Tub in the Master Bath – Layout #2

In this version of the Chapel Ridge (a Chapel Hill new home), the master bathroom includes an enlarged shower with two shower heads and a tile bench seat. The his and hers vanities are divided into completely separate areas.

Instead of a tub, this oversized shower has two shower heads:

Design details found in California-style floor plan make the most of this main floor master custom home. Relax in the large master suite with his and her master bath and expansive closet with built-in cabinetry. See how the indoor/outdoor sun room offers year-round flex space, with a see-through fireplace and walls wrapped in windows.

No Tub in the Master Bath – Layout #3

Kicking out the tub makes space for a specialty storage cabinet, just around the corner from the oversized, walk in shower. See a photo tour of this home, the Elk Point, here.

The efficient floor plan layout includes a small eat-in kitchen that opens to the two story vaulted great room. The upstairs makes room for two bedrooms and a balcony. Downstairs, there is a separate dining room and “flex” room that can be used as a home office. The master bathroom includes a large walk-in shower, no tub, and ample storage space with built in cabinets.

Design tip: Consider a pocket door in smaller spaces, or where there are multiple doors in a close space. Just keep in mind that pocket doors can require more homeowner maintenance. It’s common for Jack and Jill bathroom designs to incorporate one or more pocket doors to keep space more open and usable.

Stanton Homes builds new custom homes throughout the Triangle area of North Carolina – tell us your favorite floor plan, and we’ll walk you through you next steps to build your custom home.

While there is no “standard size” for a mudroom, you can still determine the room dimensions and features that work best for your family routines.

Ideally, your mudroom will be at least 5′ wide. A 5′ wide mudroom allows space for a standard hallway (3 feet wide) and a spacious bench and/or row of cabinets or lockers (2 feet wide).

If space is limited, the best size for a small mudroom is 4′ wide. Plan for a 1′ wide Drop Zone, with 1′ depth set of base cubbies instead of a bench.

Here are some examples of Chapel Hill custom homes with mudrooms and drop zone storage systems:

Mudroom outside the laundry room

Mudroom with separate entrance and staircase

Dropzone inside the laundry room / mudroom combination

Dedicated mudroom with full wall drop zone

Mudroom with dog shower

Looking for a move-in ready home near Chapel Hill, NC (with mudroom and drop zone storage center)? Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or view available homes here.

How to Determine the Best Mudroom Design

3 questions to ask – before you finalize your mudroom layout:

1. Is the mudroom for you, kids, pets, or guests?

If your next home will be built for retirement (or your kids are older and more independent), your mudroom can focus on ways to stay connected with a mail, key, and message center – complete with device recharging station.

Looking for something more space efficient? Here’s a small mudroom design to consider:

The dropzone is painted in black chalkboard paint, which turns this mudroom into a family message center. The corner bench is great for removing shoes. The storage cubbies are perfect for daily use. The private door – with second staircase access – allows easier movement for older kids, relatives, and guests. Here is a view of this mudroom floor plan:

This mudroom is designed for kids with cork flooring and an art center:

This room is a mudroom/laundry room combination, to keep all messes contained in one place!

This mudroom is designed for pets with a dog house and pet shower:

This mudroom is the perfect center for dirt, mud, water, paw prints, and finger prints, and other messes!

This mudroom is designed for guests:

2. How often will you use the space?
Are you considering mudroom spaces for daily routines, weekly chores, or long-term storage?

One reason to include a mudroom is to create a space dedicated to all home entry and exit activities. You’ll want to include some sort of bench or seat (with storage below). Typically, this also means locating the mudroom entrance near the garage, so the room can serve as a buffer space between the car and home.

A daily-use mudroom may or may not be located the same space as the laundry.

In one story or downstairs master house plans, the mudroom may or may not be connected to the laundry. In many two story house plans, the laundry room is placed upstairs near all bedrooms while the mudroom remains downstairs, like this example. The mudroom is located between the kitchen and garage, to catch all traffic patterns.

The mudroom – designed for daily use – will need to stay tidy given its constant visibility to you and your guests.

Another reason to include a mudroom is for long-term storage space for things like coats, boots, umbrellas, and sports equipment. If you’re leaning towards trying to organize oversized equipment, also consider adding a few feet of width or even a “workshop” area to the garage or unfinished walk-in attic space.

3. Do you need an dedicated mudroom or will a hallway drop zone meet your needs?

Remember that your mudroom should work for you. House plans often use drop zones and mudroom style storage systems as a way to take advantage of un- or under-used hallway space.

While you may need to keep the space more tidy in a hallway than in a room with a door that can hide the area, you won’t “waste” any sq ft in your home.

In this example, the mudroom is tucked into a hallway leading from the garage to main living areas.

Best Mudroom Bench, Storage, and Dimension Designs

When looking for floor plans with a mudroom, keep in mind these three important questions:

1. Who is the mudroom for, yourself, kids, pets, or guests?

2. How often will you use the space – every day, weekly, or long-term?

3. Will a hallway, rather than dedicated room, do the trick?

Contact Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 or send us your questions, here, and we’ll help you find the right floor plan for your new home.