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Rambling and Rustic Two-Story 4-Bedroom Shingle Home with Balcony and 4-Car Garage (Floor Plan)

Charming Rustic Retreat: A Beautifully Designed 4-Bedroom Shingle Home with Balcony and Ample Garage Space

Ashley

Home And Garden.

Updated

Charming Two-Story Shingle House with Balcony and 4-Car Garage

Introducing one of our top home models, complete with both exterior and interior images, alongside detailed 2D floor layouts. We have used an image AI analysis tool to evaluate each floor plan, outlining the advantages and areas for potential improvement of the design.

Home Specifications

  • Square Footage: 4,790
  • Number of Bedrooms: 4
  • Number of Bathrooms: 4.5-5.5
  • Total Stories: 2
  • Garage Capacity: 4 cars

2D Floor Layouts and Insights

1. Ground Floor

Main floor layout showcasing the foyer, great room, office, dining area, kitchen, breakfast nook, and garage access mudroom.

Top Features of the Layout

  • Spacious Open Great Room and Kitchen: The impressive vaulted ceiling in the great room seamlessly connects with the kitchen and breakfast nook, creating a bright and airy space perfect for gatherings.
  • Private Master Suite: The master suite is positioned away from the other bedrooms, ensuring a tranquil retreat for privacy and relaxation away from the home’s hustle and bustle.
  • Easy Access to Outdoor Areas: Multiple exits provide pathways leading to porches and verandas, enhancing the indoor-outdoor connection and allowing easy outdoor enjoyment.

Areas That Could Use Improvement

  • Guest Room Location: The guest room’s closeness to the master suite may compromise privacy. Moving it further into the main living area or creating a division would greatly benefit both parties.
  • Flow and Movement: The narrow hallway that connects bedrooms and essential utility areas (like laundry and closets) may feel cramped. Expanding this corridor or designing alternative routes could enhance spatial flow.
  • Verandah Proportions: While the verandah is an attractive feature (30’6″ x 12’6″), it might consume valuable space better utilized for indoor living or functional outdoor arrangements. Reducing its size to expand kitchen, dining, or mudroom spaces could yield better utility.

Improvement Suggestions

  • Relocate Guest Room: Move the guest room to a different section of the house or consider establishing a dedicated guest area for improved privacy.
  • Wider Hallways: Expanding the hallways near the bedrooms and utility areas would ease movement, or adjusting the layout for more accessible pathways would counteract the narrow feel.
  • Optimize Verandah Space: By decreasing the verandah size, the reclaimed area can enhance indoor living, perhaps adding more space to the kitchen or a dining nook.

2. Upper Floor & Assessment

Second-floor blueprint displaying two bedrooms and a shared media/playroom.

Top Features of the Layout

  • Vaulted Media/Playroom: Centrally located, the vaulted media/playroom (14′ x 14’4″) serves as a multifunctional area for various activities; a great feature for socializing easily accessible from both bedrooms.
  • Balanced Bedroom Layout: Bedrooms 2 and 3 are symmetrically arranged on either side of the media/playroom, creating a cohesive visual flow and equitable access to shared spots.
  • Study Areas in Bedrooms: Each bedroom has a built-in desk, providing convenient workspaces for residents, which is particularly helpful for students.

Areas That Could Use Improvement

  • Shared Bathroom Access: The single shared bath for both bedrooms may become inconvenient during peak times. Adding another bathroom or an ensuite could significantly enhance functionality.
  • Noisy Overlook to Great Room: This feature, while visually appealing, could transfer sound between floors. Implementing soundproofing or introducing partial enclosures may help mitigate this issue.
  • Limited Storage Solutions: The current design lacks adequate storage space. Introducing additional closets or built-ins in the hallways or bedrooms would optimize this floor’s utility.

Improvement Suggestions

  • Add a Bathroom: Incorporate an ensuite in one bedroom or a Jack-and-Jill bathroom accessible from both rooms to alleviate congestion and enhance privacy.
  • Soundproof the Overlook: Utilizing soundproofing materials or partial enclosures around the overlook can help maintain visual appeal while reducing sound transmission.
  • Increase Storage Options: Adding built-in cabinets, more closets, or storage benches in common areas or bedrooms could greatly improve organization and practicality.

3. Unfinished Basement

Unfinished basement space

To evaluate the unfinished basement, our AI reviewed the draft layout alongside other floors, suggesting essential rooms that could maximize usability and return on investment.

Recommended Basement Additions

Home Theater

    • Description: A devoted home theater with tiered seating, surround sound, and a large projection screen.
    • Advantages: Boosts entertainment appeal and attracts buyers looking for luxury home features.
    • Location: Position it in the quieter part of the basement to enhance the viewing experience.

Recreation Room

    • Description: A spacious area designated for games and social activities, featuring options for pool tables, arcade games, etc.
    • Advantages: Adds a multifunctional space for family enjoyment, attracting families or those who love entertaining.
    • Location: Central basement area for easy access.

Guest Suite

    • Description: A cozy guest bedroom with an ensuite bath.
    • Advantages: Offers additional private accommodations for visitors, increasing the home’s functionality and appeal.
    • Location: Positioned away from high-traffic areas like the recreation room, ideally near natural light sources.

Home Office

    • Description: A quiet, well-appointed office featuring built-in storage and workspace options.
    • Advantages: Attracts remote workers seeking a dedicated workspace, especially relevant in today’s work-from-home trend.
    • Location: A quieter section of the basement, preferably near an egress window for natural lighting.

Fitness Room

    • Description: A well-equipped gym area featuring space for various exercise machines and flooring conducive for workouts.
    • Advantages: Appeals to fitness-minded individuals and supports those aiming for a healthy lifestyle at home.
    • Location: An area with adequate space for equipment, away from quieter zones like the guest suite.

Wine Cellar

    • Description: A climate-controlled space for wine storage, complete with custom racks and a tasting area.
    • Advantages: Provides a luxurious touch that attracts wine enthusiasts and collectors.
    • Location: In cooler, stable sections of the basement, ensuring ideal storage conditions for wine.

Proposed Basement Layout

  • Home Theater: Positioned in the upper-left part of the basement to minimize light and sound interference.
  • Recreation Room: Created in the central area to utilize the large open space effectively.
  • Guest Suite: Located in the lower-left corner for easy access and privacy.
  • Home Office: Set in the top-right area, ideally near potential natural light sources.
  • Fitness Room: Occupying the right section of the basement to allow ample room for exercise equipment.
  • Wine Cellar: Placed in the bottom-right corner where temperature control is manageable.

Implementing these spaces will not only make the basement highly functional and desirable but will also significantly elevate the home’s overall market value, ensuring a good return on investment.

4. Curb Appeal Evaluation

Charming Two-Story Shingle House with Balcony and 4-Car Garage

Our final evaluation highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the home’s curb appeal:

Best Design Features

  • Symmetrical Architecture: The façade’s symmetrical layout, with well-aligned windows and a central entry, creates an appealing and harmonious look.
  • Expansive Windows: Large windows, especially the prominent bay window upstairs, allow abundant natural light and add beauty to the facade.
  • Use of Natural Materials: The home’s warm wood shingles and stonework enhance its rustic feel, blending beautifully with the natural surroundings.

Areas for Potential Enhancement

  • Highlight Front Entry: Enhancing the front entrance to draw attention could make it a stronger focal point. Consider adding a more pronounced door and stylish light fixtures.
  • Variety in Landscaping: The landscaping could benefit from more diversity in plant selection, colors, and heights for a fuller, more vibrant aesthetic. Introducing flowering plants could provide a more inviting atmosphere.
  • Roofline Characterization: The current roofline is fairly simple. Incorporating features such as dormers, gables, or decorative trims could add flair and break up massing, along with using contrasting materials to increase visual interest.

Visuals

Office featuring a velvet couch and built-in desk by the window.
Home Office
Dining area featuring a round table and elegant chandelier.
Dining Room
Great room with traditional seating and high vaulted ceiling.
Great Room
Kitchen featuring white cabinetry and an island with seating.
Kitchen
Spacious primary bedroom featuring checkered drapes and seating area.
Primary Bedroom
Elegant primary bathroom with a white vanity and soaking tub.
Primary Bathroom
Cozy guest room with ensuite bath and window seat.
Guest Room
Well-organized laundry room with cabinets and utility sink.
Laundry Room
Rear view showcasing Palladian windows and pergola porches.
Rear View
Front architectural rendering of the two-story shingle home.
Front Rendering
Back rendering of a two-story shingle house.
Back Rendering

Highlights

This two-story rustic residence features warm, shingle-style siding, elegant Palladian windows, and a broad front porch accentuated by dual columns. It accommodates a 4-car garage with workshop space and access to a mudroom.

The foyer, adorned with a decorative ceiling, flows between an office and a formal dining room, leading through double arches into a roomy great room enhanced by a fireplace.

The kitchen is a chef’s dream, showcasing a huge island, a built-in desk, and a butler’s pantry that efficiently connects to the dining room for effortless serving.

The primary and guest suites are located on the left wing of the layout. The primary suite features its own fireplace, access to a private porch, and dual bathrooms with expansive walk-in closets.

The upper floor showcases two additional bedroom suites divided by a flexible media/playroom and a balcony overlooking the great room.

Pin This Design!

This two-story rustic residence stands out with warm shingle-style siding and Palladian windows, along with an expansive front porch featuring double columns and a 4-car garage.

Architectural Designs Plan 69079AM

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