PeacefulChaos Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I originally said one story is my preference, which is true. However, I still consider it a one story if it has a full basement. The house we would build (if we do build one day) would be that - a one story ranch with a full finished basement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3littlekeets Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 We built a house last year with the kids bedrooms & playroom upstairs and the master & laundry room downstairs. I love it. The boys mess stays upstairs w/o affecting the rest of the house. That's the layout we prefer as well. Master & laundry on the main floor, kids messes and bed upstairs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 When I was still full of energy, I was just fine with two story. Now that I am older and tire more easily, I would prefer a one story. The master bedroom in this house is on first floor and upstairs are 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and gameroom. I know it has been a few years since I've been upstairs. I hope the kids are keeping it clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I really like our 2 story but I do NOT like that our bedroom is on the main level and the boys' rooms are upstairs. It's easy to not see them for long periods of time during the day and/or evening. They get to doing something in their rooms and they are simply in another house. I don't have reason to often go up there. It really is like living in two houses sometimes. I agree with this. Our older house had living areas downstairs and all bedrooms upstairs. This worked well when kids were young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganClassicalPrep Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Actually I am currently looking for a new place. And one of my mandatory requirements is one level or on the first level. My mother (who is moving in with us) has arthritis and difficulty walking sometimes, plus an aging dog. Both would be very inconvenienced by two levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 One story with a split-bedroom floor plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacus2 Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 My ideal is a one story with a basement and laundry on the main floor. Laundry and stairs do not mix well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Two floors, bedrooms and maybe a study upstairs, everything else down. I'd also be OK with a laundry room upstairs in a big house. As for why, I like having private spaces physically separate from the shared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 It depends on the age of the kids and where the bedrooms are. If the kids are old enough that I only have to venture upstairs once a week or so, then great! Otherwise I prefer a one story. That is what I thought. Then, we moved into a house like that. I had to make them clean it today. Every time I go up there it is like trudging through Mordor. So dispiriting. If they were neatfreak children or if I went up there several times a day, maybe it would work. But neither of those things happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fhjmom Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 One story - I had two knee surgeries by the time I was 23 YO. Stairs are rough at times! However, a great floor plan is a must! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 When we downsize, we will get a one story house or at least one in which only guest rooms are on the second floor. I am already having extreme difficulty getting up and down the stairs and have fallen a few times. I am picturing something with an eatin kitchen, a living room, dining room, an office, and a guest bedroom. I wouldn't mind it if the guest room was on the second floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I want a one-story house that has a finished basement in case we need it. The laundry room would be on the main floor. DH and I don't want to have to go to the basement for anything. He has trouble with walking and balance since he had several strokes, and I have sciatica and bad knees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaney Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I like bedrooms away from guests. I don't need the stress of people seeing the kids mess, or my mess for that matter. Actually I vote 3 floors. I couldn't live without the basement finished to hide the laundry room and to have a place for kids to go play or watch movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I love our two story we are living in...I only wish the washer and dryer were on the main floor instead of the basement. I love having all the bedrooms upstairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 i've lived in both & love both. however, i think i prefer a single story home. our next home, we will definitely build a single story. i'm only 40 now, but i do think about getting older and wanting to stay in our home without worries of stairs, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenangelcat Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 1. Because I have a phobia involving the floors collapsing. I cringe when the kids run around in the living room because we have bouncy laminate and everything shakes. I won't invite people over for indoor parties because I'm sure we'll all fall into the basement. If I could sell this 2 story house and get a single story, I'd do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 One story. I'd have no problems reroofing, cleaning eaves, etc on a one story. Our two story - not a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 One! I have a two story now and I hate the stairs. I hate the stampeding sound of people going up and down them. I hate cleaning them the stairs. I also dislike the constant noise of people walking above me. I dislike the safety issue of windows upstairs. We rarely open them because I wouldn't want a little one to lean too far out. Then there is the issue of fire safety. I hate it when we fall down them. All of us have fallen at least part way down the stairs once since moving in 6 years ago. Kids run no matter how much yelling you tell them not to! And my left side is weak. I have to be very careful in case my hop or ankle decide to give out. Rare is the elderly person who can safely navigate stairs. We love the location of our home and a one story this size would cost considerably more, otherwise we would not be in this house. This might be our forever home or it might be our forever while raising kids home. But at some point I think we will either have to move to a one story or just stop using the upstairs. Geez. I feel so old now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 That is what I thought. Then, we moved into a house like that. I had to make them clean it today. Every time I go up there it is like trudging through Mordor. So dispiriting. If they were neatfreak children or if I went up there several times a day, maybe it would work. But neither of those things happen. :lol::lol: yeah. That too! I'd say it's because I have 9 up there, but the truth is any one of them can make as big a mess as all 9 up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I prefer one story but couldn't do it here since I needed a storm room. And since this is where we think we will be living long term, it will be a two story for me. But this is the best design for a two story- I have the main living areas and the bedrooms on the main floor. On the walk out first floor, I have a family room, a guest bedroom/craft room, a bathroom, a whirlpool tub room with stand alone shower/exercise room/storm shelter, laundry area, and garage. The whole house will be easy to convert for me if I need to be in a wheelchair or can't do stairs anymore. THe stairs inside are straight and just right for a lift. I can also go in to the downstairs area through the garage which is on the same level. To get into the main house, I go up one step off of the driveway and then a step onto the porch. It would be easy to modify. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 ONE! I'm in a two, and while the additional space/for the money was very good, it is a pain, especially as you age or have an injury or illness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 (edited) I depends. I like it when the bedrooms are upstairs and the living spaces are downstairs. What I have found that we don't like? The master on the bottom floor with the laundry room and kid bedrooms upstairs. :iagree: We learned that we cannot stand having the master bedroom on the first floor and the kids sleeping upstairs. Never again. I love a two story house. Love it. I love the living areas being so separate from our sleeping areas. I actually like going up and down stairs, I feel like we get more steps into our day that way. Edited January 16, 2012 by justamouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southcarolinamom Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 We've owned a tri-level for 14 years and LOVE it. On the main floor is the kitchen, dining room, family room with a fireplace and a "Front room." Going down 6 stairs is a large family room (which my husband has designed as a media room) with fireplace, a bathroom and his study. It's the "man cave" area. Going up 6 stairs from the main level are 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Six stairs to climb isn't "too much".... but when we lived in a Cape Cod style house, that steep stairwell did seem like a lot, especially in the middle of the night when our young children needed us and our bedroom was on the first floor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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