Ah, so you have decided to be brave, young Padawan!

First, it's important for us to know a little more about this project. Where are you building? Do you have a lot yet? What is it like? Does it dictate which direction the house must face?

Second, does it matter to you how "equal" those bedrooms are, in terms of size, windows, and other amenities?

This plan has some cute elements in the rendering, but try not to get too seduced by that. If you regard a house as a cake... those elements are the "sprinkles." The actual structure of the house is the cake. Start with that part.

It has some flaws. Again, the corners of the house are sort of "prime real estate." To waste one on a closet is perhaps not the best plan. In fact, none of the corners seem to take advantage of the ability to provide a room with windows on two walls. That does wonders for how much light you get.

Speaking of light, again, the kitchen is deep inside the house, well away from most of the windows. Yes, there is a bank of them along the breakfast area, but don't overestimate how much of that will communicate itself into the kitchen. If you like a bright, airy kitchen, this won't be it. You can't get to this feel, if this is something that appeals to you:

A similar floorplan was recently posted - you can read through the comments below - many apply to this plan too.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5896420/building-a-new-home

The main floor plan seems disorganized. There doesn’t seem to be any order, natural flow, or circulation. I‘m trying to imagine why the designer calls the middle living space a ”lodge room” when it doesn’t seem to be at all cozy; it is a pass-thru, and how would you arrange furniture?

The mud room isn’t big enough for 4 kids.

You’d miss light in the kitchen.

No front closet for guests?

What is your site and climate like?

fat and dark. nothing craftsman about it.

I avoid:

1. Designs that do not relate to the site.
2. Plumbing in exterior walls in cold climates
3. Closets where hanging clothes turn corners.
4. Windowless walk-in closets.
5. Bedrooms in basements.
6. Washers and dryers in clothes closets.
7. Large expanses of exterior wall without windows.
8. Hallways less than four feet wide.
9. Stairs less than 3'-6" wide.
10. Bedrooms next to a bathroom without a sound barrier.
11. Mechanical equipment in a garage.
12. Clothes closets accessible from a bathroom.
13. Views from living rooms into bedrooms.
14. Gas chambers without windows.
15. Gas chambers.
16. Jack and Jill bathrooms.
17. Bedrooms where, when entering, one has to walk around the bed to get to either side.
18. Looking through a long porch from a living room to any view.
19. No coat closet at exterior entrances.
20. Double doors into master bathrooms.
21. Double doors into walk-in closets.
22. Different ceilings in an open space that do not transition well.
23. Doors that swing into a hallway.

to name a few.

Put your least favorite kid in Bedroom #2 and when they are teens you can bang your pans on the stove and turn on the vent, early on a weekend morning!! Seriously, that is a terrible location for bedrooms.

I think the rendering is really pretty. There's a lot of detail in the exterior elevation and I can see why you like it. (the windows, even the arched detail in the stonework on the garage!)

Inside - it's a trainwreck. For all the reasons noted. The disparity in the bedroom sizes from the mater is kinda sad. :D. And the priority being given to the rooms occupying the corners is, just, weird.

Instead spending your valuable time trying to find what you want in things that were designed for other people and posting it to see what other people think, have you considered contacting a local architect to design a home with you that meets your needs and fits your site?

Hey, there!!! Welcome to GardenWeb. :-)

We are a family of 6, with 3 girls and 1 boy. We are looking g for a house plan with a minimum of 6 bedrooms or the potential to have more added in the basement.

I feel for ya, I really do. I currently have 6 kids, with another one due in September, and finding *anything* pre-designed was darn near impossible. (And I only want 5 bedrooms instead of 6, with one of those used as a Playroom, lol.)

Like so many others, I started my journey by looking at house plans online. Then, when I got frustrated, I started drawing things out myself. I've had fun with it over the years (what else am I gonna do, nursing a baby at 2am?), and I continue to explore ideas by drawing things out, but I decided a long time ago to hire an architect to do the real house for me. :-)

I want to work with an architect mostly because I want the details right (I'm committed to architectural integrity, and don't want to put the "wrong" things in a specific architectural style), but also because I'm sure that my architect -- with over 40 years of experience -- will have some great ideas and valuable industry networks.

If you ultimately decide to not hire an architect, then knowing the basics (1-2 rooms deep, including covered porches and attached garages; living areas facing south; outdoor spaces facing any direction other than west) will help a lot as you search for/tweak a pre-designed plan. Good luck!!!

Thank you everyone for your comments. Big shout out to @Mark Bischak, Architect, @Holly Stockley, I've been using the app on my phone but finally logged on so that I can properly respond. You all have given me lots to think about, I am in Canada, On, so we are the NORTH and get winter as such. @Mark Bischak, Architect you have given me so many things to think about, I spoke to my husband and we are going to try and seek an Architect out here since we really are having trouble finding something that checks off all the boxes we want. Any Architects in my area that you could recommend?

What area are you in?

Mark, can you explain #17? I can't figure out how to place a door so you would never have to walk around the bed to get to the other side. If the door faces the foot of the bed, you have to walk around each side. And if the door faces one side, you have to walk around to get to the other side. What am I missing?

Rough Example:

Sometimes it is unavoidable.

Mark -

" Bedrooms next to a bathroom without a sound barrier. "

What type of sound barrier do you recommend? And can it also be used in between floor joist to buffer sound from an upstairs bedroom to an area below?

If at all possible, I like to use a closet.

:) We have that!

However, I need a sound barrier material between a laundry room and bedroom, and also one between floors. Any recommendation?

@Mark Bischak, Architect I am in Hawkesbury, On, I just got a quote for $2500 from a local architect, we are in a small town in between 2 major cities, so there aren't much choices here unless they are coming from those cities which are 1 hour away. I am glad that you have been able to help so many people with your suggestions, I am grateful.

I am happy to hear you found a local architect that is a good fit. I hope everything goes well and you end up with a great home. Good luck and keep your Houzz community updated.

Kathy-Ann, are you going to use the architect? Inquiring minds want to know :)