functional living · home · interior design ·Nov 22, 2025

How to Create a Floor Plan That Actually Works for Real Life

A beautiful home is great — but a functional home is life-changing. At Holland House, we design floor plans that are built around the way you truly live, not just how a blueprint says you should. Whether you’re undergoing a renovation, starting a new build, or simply upgrading finishes, smart choices early in the process make all the difference.

Here are our biggest recommendations for creating a floor plan that actually works in real life — not just on paper.

1. Design for the Way You Actually Live — Not How a Traditional Floor Plan Says You Should

This is one of the most important parts of building a home that truly works: don’t be afraid to customize your layout to fit your real life.

Maybe your household doesn’t operate like a standard “model home.” Good! It shouldn’t. That’s why we encourage clients to think beyond tradition and design for their actual habits and lifestyle.

Here are some real examples we love:

You love working on your laptop by the big dining room window → turn your dining room into a dual-function dining/office space.
You never take baths but have a dog that needs washing → skip the tub and design a walk-in shower room with a dog-wash station.
Your hardworking husband comes home muddy from the farm → add a powder bath or full bath in the garage for easy clean-up.
Laundry piles on the stairs every day → install a laundry chute from the kids’ rooms to the downstairs laundry.

This is exactly how a floor plan becomes personal, functional, and long-lasting.

Before designing, ask yourself:

How do I live in my current home?
What frustrates me daily?
What do I wish I could change?
What small conveniences would make a big difference?

A truly great floor plan is built around your routines, your habits, and your quirks — not someone else’s.

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2. Use Showplace Cabinetry for Fully Custom Functionality

As a Showplace Cabinetry dealer, we design every cabinet intentionally — not just by size, but by function. That means thinking through how you cook, organize, clean, and live day to day.

Showplace customization options include:

spice pull-outs
drawer dividers for pots, pans, utensils
pan/tray dividers
custom inserts and organizers
your choice of stains
any paint color
a wide variety of door styles and hinge options

Designing a functional home means designing cabinetry that makes everyday tasks easier.

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3. Choose a Hardwood or LVP Flooring You Love — and Run It Throughout

One of the simplest, most effective ways to create a cohesive floor plan is choosing a hardwood or luxury vinyl plank (LVP) you genuinely love and using it across your entire main level.

Running one continuous flooring type helps your home feel:

larger
more open
more cohesive
more elevated

This strategy unifies the layout visually and makes the transitions between rooms seamless. We only exclude bathrooms, where tile or waterproof flooring is necessary.

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4. Choose Tile That Matches Your Lifestyle and Your Vibe

Tile is one of the most functional selections you make — especially in bathrooms, mudrooms, and laundry rooms. The best tile for your space depends heavily on your lifestyle.

Here’s our quick guide:

Porcelain tile → extremely durable, easy to clean, ideal for kids and busy households
Terrazzo → stylish, modern, and full of character
Marble → luxurious and timeless; best for special, statement-worthy spaces

If you have a high-traffic home, porcelain is your best friend. If you want a more upscale, designer feel, terrazzo or marble can transform a room.

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5. Select Cabinetry That Will Stand the Test of Time

Cabinetry is a long-term investment, so it should be timeless, functional, and tailored to your lifestyle.

Our design advice:

Use classic wood tones or paint colors in your kitchen and primary suite — the two spaces you use every day.
Mix and match cabinetry styles in secondary spaces so your home feels layered, not repetitive.
Think about which materials you won’t get tired of 10 years from now.
Your cabinetry should support your routines, reflect your style, and age beautifully.

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