How to Choose the Right Floor Plan for Your Smoky Mountain Rental or Home
Building a home isn’t just about picking out paint colors and finishes. Before construction starts, you should determine how the home will actually function. A good floor plan can make your home feel comfortable and practical for years. That’s especially important when building in the Smokies. Whether you’re building a place to call home or a cabin for guests to rent, your layout should work for the people who use it. At Lipsey Home Builders, we have more than 20 years of experience building homes throughout East Tennessee. Here are our top tips for choosing the right floor plan for your Smoky Mountain rental or home:
1. Think About How You’ll Use Your Smoky Mountain Rental or Home
Forget about the square footage for a minute. What’s your day-to-day look like? Do you love to have friends over? Need a quiet spot to work from home? Kids need space to play or their own rooms? Maybe you want your bedroom on the main level so you won’t have to deal with stairs. Or maybe you’re tired of running out of storage.
Your home should make your life easier, not the other way around. And if you’re building a Smoky Mountain rental property, think about your future guests. Where will everyone hang out? How will they move through the home? What spaces will make their stay more memorable?
2. Consider Your Living & Sleeping Spaces
One of the big choices is whether you want an open floor plan, or something with more traditional rooms. Open layouts, where the kitchen, dining and living areas all flow together, are great for hosting and work really well in rentals where families or groups want to be together. More traditional plans offer privacy and help keep things quiet when people are on different schedules.
Bedroom placement is just as important. A main-level suite means you (or future guests) don’t have to worry about stairs, while an upstairs suite could be quieter and come with a better view. For a Smoky Mountain rental, spreading bedrooms across multiple levels can give large groups more privacy. Bunk rooms can be appealing to families traveling with kids.
3. Kitchen & Outdoor Areas Are Just as Important
A stunning kitchen still needs to function well. When choosing your floor plan, consider how the fridge, range, sink, pantry, and island fit together, as well as the proximity to the dining area and living room. In a Smoky Mountain rental, you might want more counter space, storage, and room for a bunch of people to cook at once.
In the Smoky Mountains, being outside is part of the experience. Decks, outdoor dining, and gathering spots make your place instantly more appealing. Connecting these spaces to main living areas makes it easier to enjoy the Smoky Mountain scenery.
4. Design With Your Rental Guests in Mind
If you’re building a Smoky Mountain rental, picture it through your guests’ eyes. Where will everyone relax, sleep, play games, or have movie nights? Consider adding extra amenities like a game room, theater area, wet bar, hot tub, or sprawling decks so larger groups have plenty of ways to spend quality time together.
Your rental should also be easy to maintain. The best floor plan is one that works great and is easy to clean and manage.
5. Let the Lot & Your Future Plans Guide You
The lot itself should have a say in your floor plan. Whether you’re planning a Smoky Mountain rental or home, properties in the area vary in slope, access, views, utilities, and buildability. A floor plan that works for one home may not be right for another. Lipsey Home Builders evaluates all of these factors before construction.
Also, look ahead. Floor plans with flexible rooms, accessible main-level living, smart bedroom layout, and extra storage can more easily adapt as life changes. This can be valuable if your rental could eventually become a second home or serve a different purpose down the road.
Work With an Experienced Builder: Lipsey Home Builders
Choosing the right floor plan starts with knowing what you want your Smoky Mountain rental or home to accomplish. Just as important, is picking the right builder. At Lipsey Home Builders, we help homeowners and investors design places that match their vision, lifestyle, goals, and budget. Whether it’s your primary residence, a second home, or an investment rental, our experienced team can help make your dream home a reality!
Contact us today to get started building a home designed for the way you want to live or host guests!
