Family Friendly Floor Plan

Mute Mansions

Homes are getting bigger and more spacious. More rooms are being added, segregating each family member into private living areas. Nobody talks because nobody has to. These new labyrinth homes facilitate reclusive behavior. Privacy has its value in the home, but so does communication. A simple change of floor plan can mean the difference between a warm, amiable environment and cold silence.

Contact Points

Designing areas in a new home where family members are forced to meet encourages casual conversation. Some examples would include a stairway near the kitchen or living room, instead of by the front door. Also, keeping all the bedrooms on the same floor helps the family interact. If the parents separate themselves on a different floor, they become an intruder on the children's floor. A landing, rather than a hallway surrounding the bedrooms is better. Limiting the number of public rooms means that people will congregate in the same areas. Combining the living room and dining room is one way to do this. Also, put the television set where you want the family to convene. Placing the television in an open, public room increases the chances of people gathering.

Lasting Results

Buying a new home in Minnesota that forces family members to cross paths will drastically influence family atmosphere in years to come. When children are at an early age, there tend to be fewer problems because they require more care. However, when family time becomes a choice, having a home that subtly eliminates some of that freedom can be wonderful.