Opt # 4 would be my first choice, followed by Opt #3. Our house is similar to Opt 3. First floor 10', 2nd floor 8', Attic 8'. It works fine, but the ceiling height definitely feels a lot lower when you go upstairs. Our previous home had 9' on the first floor, and 8' on the second; the 9' was perfectly fine to give a spacious feeling, and you didn't feel a noticeable difference when you were on the 2nd floor. If that makes sense. Also consider the door heights that you will need; 10' ceiling seem to feel better with 8' doors; standard doors look out of scale. 8' doors more expensive. And trim molding, on a 10' ceiling, it needs to be a bit heftier because it is higher up.

Without knowing what is proposed for basement, second floor and attic it's rather hard to recommend ceiling heights. However, as a compromise, Option 4, followed by Option 3 would be my recommendation.

The first floor will be an entryway, that leads into a mostly open concept living/dining/kitchen, and will have a half bath near the entryway.

The second floor will be two regular bedrooms with a full hall bath, and the master suite with another full bare.

Attic level will be a guest bedroom and an office that could be converted to a bedroom if ever needed, with mechanical and storage areas.

Basement will be mechanical space, finished rec room, and laundry room.

detached garage behind the house.

Option 2 for the long run. If you want to see what 7 foot ceilings are like to live with, you could make a mock up room in your current house.

Inhabitant heights and preferences should be taken into account as well. A 6'6" friend was always happiest in a low-ceilinged basement where he had to stoop to get through doorways.

Typically, zoning restricts overall building height, allowing flexibility within the "envelope".

And exceptions can sometimes be accommodated through local appeals procedures.

With no other choices, I'd go for Option 2.

If you are putting living space in the attic, I think it needs to be 8 ft. So I guess option #2. But I don’t really love the 8 ft second floor.

will one choice over another change the exterior ? Or will it look the same no matter which height option you choose?

May I ask what your maximum height by code is? My dd is building soon and I would like to share this thread with her.

Option 3: Open concept rooms need higher ceilings, so I would do 10 feet on the first floor. If you notice, most of the inspiration photos posted here on houzz have higher ceilings. It is part of achieving a visually pleasing proportion.

And attic spaces with sloped ceilings ( incorporate some slope) always seem cozier, so 7 feet max might be fine there, although doors and trims can be more difficult.

Can you included more supports that enable less depth of floor joists to pick up a few more inches of space?

If the attic is going to be considered living space the only options should be where every level has 8’ minimum.

None of those! At least 9' for basement, main, 2nd floor. Skip the attic. 8' is a terrible choice in a new home.

IMO 9’ is a nice height for a amin floor and will save money on both heating and coolong as for the attic I think it depends on what you are using it for . I see no rason for a 9’ basement I have 8’ on my main and my walk out basement and have never regretted that.I also have no idea why bedrooms need to be higher than 8’ so I guess my choice would be option #2

We have mostly 9 ft ceilings downstairs with a vaulted dining room, half vault in kitchen and vaulted game room. The main family room area would have felt/looked better had they done 10 ft ceilings. These days I would not build anything with less than 9 ft ceilings for a small/medium house and 10 ft for a med/large house. If you are building in a warmer climate then definitely go with the higher ceilings.

Just curious, what are your actual restrictions? Height above ground? And what are you doing between floors? And have you planned for ductwork and will all that fit between floors?

I guess, I am trying to see if there is wriggle room. And to make sure you have figured measurements.

Does code allow you to finish a 7 foot high attic?

I vote for #4

Option 5! Mine

finished walkout basement. Install as many windows as you can and have 9 ft ceilings. We have a bar area, fireplace, large screen TV, and bathroom. It is fantastic for entertaining!

1st floor 9 ft ceilings. If you go 10 ft ceilings, do NOT have over size doors. They look weird. Consider transoms above doors. Personally I do not care for 10 ft ceilings.

2nd floor 8 ft ceilings

Do you have any bunk beds on the second floor?

I've had 8' ceilings in kids' bedrooms, and hated it every time I had to change the bunks; 9' ceilings make it waaaay easier to change and make the bed. :-D

Option 4. We currently have a similar layout as option 4. The only difference is our 2nd floor has 8 ft ceilings. I would love having 9 ft on the second floor as we have a beautiful 4 poster bed and it would look amazing with 9 ft ceilings. Keep that in mind if you have tall bedroom furniture. We only use the attic space for storage so I’d rather have the tall ceilings on the main floor and 2nd floor.

Your "attic" is not an attic then, it is 3rd floor living space, and that means Option #2 is pretty much the only one. If I ever walked into a newer 3 story house and any floor was 7 ft it would be an immediate deal-breaker.

Oops I just saw that you plan to use the attic space as another bedroom? In that case, option 4 is probably not the best choice for you.

Option #2