Your site will influence where rooms are located to take advantage of views, sunlight, road access, and perhaps to maximize privacy. A sloping lot may create an opportunity for a walkout basement. You do not need to own your site to begin design, however you will want it to finalize your plans.
Usage options and total cost are implicit in the square feet planned for your home. To the extent that your budget permits, keep the square foot question open for a while. The ultimate cost of the house is also determined by your finishing selections.
The length of a Yankee Barn tends to be thirty-six to sixty feet long. The width of the main structure is typically twenty-five feet, twenty-six feet, or thirty feet wide. The main structure's first floor is readily widened up to about eight feet by extending the roof line out to the side. The main structure's first or second floor can also be expanded with the use of dormers. Most Yankee Barns extend the living space with ells, wings and connectors.
Regardless of the size of the house, three bedrooms are typical with an occasional two or four bedroom home. A small bedroom might be nine feet by ten feet. A medium size bedroom might be twelve feet by twelve feet. A larger bedroom might be thirteen feet by fifteen feet. Today's bedroom may become tomorrow's study or library.
Yankee Barns tend to have three baths with an occasional four-bathroom house and two-bathroom house. Guest baths (half baths) are separate from sleeping areas.
Great rooms are generally placed on the end of the house in the center or in an ell.
End great rooms lend well to the gable end of the house pointing to a view and are most cost effective. Center great rooms work well when the great room wants to be the center of all activity and the view is on the eaves side of the house (Center great rooms use a large multi- storied dormer or a bump out dormer). Great rooms can also be located in an ell, which is the most expensive because the structure is one story.
I don't know yet. At the end of the house. In the center of the house. In an Ell.
A small dining room might be ten feet by twelve feet. A medium size dining room might be fifteen feet by seventeen feet.
--None-- Not Important Yet Dining and Kitchen Together Dining in Great Room Separate Room
Kitchens can be fairly private or in the hub of home activity. The kitchen needs to be a little larger if more than one person is preparing food at a time. For people who love to cook a pantry is nice. Pantries tend to be either closet or walk-in. The kitchen should be located with easy access to the driveway for unloading purposes. There are two basic approaches we most often see as to how the kitchen relates to other areas. They often depend on a need for privacy, or not, and a sense of aesthetics.
--None-- Not an important design element at this point (140-200 sq. ft.) Boundaries of kitchen are clear (140-200 sq. ft.) Kitchen is in great room (140-200 sq. ft.)
Larger homes may set aside space for eating breakfast in the areas listed below.
--None-- Not Important Yet No Separate Area Great Room Greenhouse Kitchen Separate Room Sunroom Next To Kitchen
Laundry areas can be located on the first floor, second floor or basement.
--None-- Not Important Yet Mudroom Walk-In 1st Floor Walk-In 2nd Floor Closet 1st Floor Bathroom Basement
For families with children or people who love to garden, the mudroom is a fine way to keep the great outdoors where it belongs. Mudrooms are often close to the garage.
--None-- Not Important No Mudroom, Combined with Laundry Standalone
Master bedrooms can be located in the main house or in ells. The considerations are usually size and privacy requirements. The main house location is generally more economical than an ell or wing.
Fireplaces primarily serve aesthetic purposes. Fireplace location needs to be considered along with views to the outside and furniture placement.
--None-- Not Important Yet No Fireplace Corner Inside or Outside Along Outside Wall Ell Great Room and Master Bedroom Great Room Den See Through Inside Inside See Through
Basements can provide additional living space, especially on sloped lots where a walkout (daylight basement) can be provided. The space can be used for mechanical room, storage, family rooms, laundry room, and even bedrooms, or workshops. If you are using basement space you may need to add additional windows, walkout doors or a bulkhead.
Garages are typically twenty-four feet by twenty-four feet, which allow for two cars and additional storage. Garages can be expanded to have additional second floor space by adding knee walls to the second floor level or by adding dormers. For economy or because of a difficult site you may choose to place your garage under the main home.
--None-- Not an important design element at this point. Located beneath the Main Structure Located under the same roof line as the main structure (144-168 sq. ft.) Attached to the main house by a breezeway (144-168 sq. ft.) Detached? (144-168 sq. ft.)
Stairs are most often L-shaped, U-shaped, or straight. Stairs are challenging in home design because the vertical axis comes very much into play. Below is a checklist Yankee Barn considers while laying out a stair:
--None-- Not an important design element at this point. L-shaped (50 sq. ft.) U-shaped (64 sq. ft.) straight (33 sq. ft.)
--None-- 1 Year 2-3 Years 3+ Years When I win the Irish Sweepstakes
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