Yearn to be a kid again – or catch the joy in your children’s faces? Maybe a treehouse is just what you need as part of that next dream home. Perhaps desiring a bit more privacy or “get away” time at home? Then a mini backyard cabin or cottage might do the trick. Our readers and home builders had almost countless ideas for amazing outdoor rooms and features for their next dream house plans. We listed the Top 8 here…

Sit back, put up your feet, bring a book or drink, and escape to the front porch to relive that carefree life of long ago. A classic feature of the American home that disappeared from the architectural scene for a while, the porch is back in style, stronger than ever.

From smart technology to skylights for stargazing, mudrooms with pet washing stations, dual kitchen workstations and accent walls, there are so many cool features that you can include in your new home. Imagination and creativity are crucial but ultimately, your design should reflect who you are and your lifestyle.

his designer creates stock home plans that bring out amazing creativity that define each home individually.

"Our homes consistently exceed the expectations of the most discriminating builders and home buyers with their cutting edge style and timeless integrity." We are privileged to have this designer as a part of The Plan Collection team.

Do you live in a suburb where all the neighboring homes are the same? That's one of the reasons more and more people are wanting to build custom homes.

Well, each city enforces requirements and codes differently. If we do have to have it engineered, we take it to a local engineer. Your builder should have an engineer that he recommends.

In Park City, the buildings seem to grow with the trees, as living organisms. How appropriate. I felt it quite symbolic of the activity and energy that flows from our own lives. This organic design was inspiring. In honor of that experience, I began a search for designs that feature rustic characteristic, similar to those I found in Park City. There are two styles that specialize in organic design, and are found all over our favorite mountain cities. They are Log Homes, and Craftsman Homes.

This house design is a spacious craftsman lodge home with its style rooted in the past.

Fact: A majority of homeowners made changes to the plan while building their new home. We look at popular modifications and the options to modify your house plan - when considering minor modifications.