For most of my life, I’ve resided in two-story homes – or in upper floors of apartment buildings. From my grandparents to my schoolmates and a number of my relatives, two-story homes have been the norm.
More than anything else, the attractions of two-story homes for me were the spectacular staircases. I clearly remember my grandparents’ home, with its tall wooden staircase that curved on a landing leading to the second-floor bedrooms. My cousins and I used to talk about – and imagine – the dramatic effect when one of the granddaughters descended that staircase for prom night or a wedding. All of the girls thought that would be so awesome. And the boys, of course, could only think of sliding down fast and furious to the first floor on the banister.
We all loved that two-story house surrounded by shrubs and shade trees. However, my perspective shifted when one of my aunts and her family moved to a one-story bungalow in a subdivision lined with all these amazing single-level structures. All I could think about was the convenience of having everything on one floor.
Over the years, I’ve gone back and forth between a one-story or two-story home. Certainly, there are people like me who are open to either plan – or inspired by both. But because there can be only one choice for your dream home, let’s look at the advantages and limitations of both versions – and help you decide.
As it rode the crest of the Post-War boom when the one-story ranch represented the fulfillment of the American dream, the single-story design was the trend across the country. It reached its peak in 1973, with one-story homes making up 67 percent of new home construction. While numbers have declined today, the one-story home still holds plenty of charm for Americans.
Can this be your dream 1-story home? The delightful 1,886-sq.-ft. Craftsman style home features a welcoming covered porch, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a family room with 11-ft. ceilings, a fireplace, and access to the rear deck (Plan #120-2563).
Top: With its open floor plan, this 1-story, 3-bedroom, 2-bath Ranch style home provides plenty of comfortable space. A charming covered porch is a welcome sight to family and guests, a Great Room, a kitchen with an island, and a raised ceiling. Since it’s a single-level home, it’s easy to build a ramp for wheelchair access. Bottom: With its wide hallways and large bathrooms, the floor plan allows wheelchair access throughout the space (Plan #120-1272).
This white and wood kitchen in a 1-story, 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath European style home features high ceilings and recessed lights that add to the bright and airy atmosphere (Plan #142-1204)
Top: This amazing Great Room in a stunning Contemporary style 1-story home features wide glass bi-fold doors that open up the space to an outdoor deck perfect for entertaining and cooking. The 3,264-sq.-ft. home has 3 bedrooms, 3.5-baths, a covered front porch, library, exercise room, game room, and other amenities. Bottom: Here’s another – exterior – view of the spectacular Great Room and patio of the home (Plan #202-1013).
However, energy efficiency is linked to the size of the structure. Sprawling one-level homes that occupy more space than a two-story home built on a narrow lot may become less efficient because of their design.
Now, here’s the flip side of all these advantages … and why you may have second thoughts about a one-story home.
Can you imagine Tara as a one-story home – no matter how luxurious the design? How could Scarlett O’Hara ever make that dramatic entrance except from Tara’s magnificent staircase?
This 2-story Contemporary Rustic style home with its rock and stone exterior covered front porch and sun deck certainly has the wow factor! The home features 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, a media room, 4 fireplaces, a second-floor master suite, second-floor laundry, a game room, a loft, plus more (Plan #161-1084).
You may not have Tara, Twelve Oaks, or other Southern Plantation style homes. But if you want elegance and a show-stopping staircase, the only choice is a two-story home. So, aside from the stairs, what other attractive elements come with this style?
Who needs a Stairmaster when you have these stairs to climb every day? The beautifully finished wood staircase in lovely luxury home with Craftsman influences is not just for dramatic effect. Think of all the calories you can burn and the toned muscles due to navigating these stairs frequently. By the way, the home also features covered front and rear porches, patio, an open floor plan, four bedrooms, library, loft, main and second-floor laundry rooms, a main floor master, and a fabulous Great Room (Plan #161-1067).
One of the good things about a two-story home – as in this attractive Contemporary residence – is that you can feel comfortable opening your windows in the upstairs bedrooms and not worry about security and the prying eyes of neighbors and passersby. The home comes with 5 bedrooms and 5.5 baths and a covered front porch. The manicured lawn with shrubs and trees to ensure more privacy (Plan #161-1084)
Top: A wide front porch with matching columns greets guests as they step into this charming 4-bedroom Craftsman style home. Inside the open floor layout is a Great Room, a kitchen with an island, and a casual dining area. Completing the main level are a mudroom, laundry room, a study/office, and a powder room Middle: The first-floor layout of the home illustrates all the entertaining and social spaces. Bottom: Go up the steps to the second level for the four bedrooms and three full baths. The master bedroom has an ensuite with a walk-in closet and his and her vanities. A jack-and-jill bathroom connects Bedrooms #2 and #4 (Plan #109-1191)
This 5,023-sq.-ft. Shingle style home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, and 2 half baths dazzles with its amazing curb appeal. There’s the lush courtyard entry and the exterior wall of rock, stone, shakes, and asphalt shingle roof. Check out the white columns on the porch, mounted on stone pedestals, the hip roof, and dormers (Plan #161-1038).
How about the look of a converted barn for your dream home? This 2-story, 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath Farmhouse style home features 2x6 wood framing, white columns on the front porch, and perpendicular gables on the roof (Plan #168-1129).
Built on a view lot, this elegant 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath Country home exudes an English Manor feel, with its hip-and-gable roof and rock-stone-shakes exterior. The 2-story home features 2,443 square feet of living space that includes a covered porch, patio, loft, bonus room, main-floor master, and laundry (Plan #180-1009).
Imagine the views of blue skies, sunsets, rainbows, and the outdoors from the large windows of the upstairs living space in this 5,023-sq.-ft., 4-bedroom Shingle style home. Even the first floor allows wonderful views because of the lot incline and the walkout basement “elevating” the height of the main level (Plan #161-1038).
As you consider – and weigh – all of the advantages and harsh realities of both the one-story and two-story designs, ask yourself if it really matters which one you choose. You can make either one your dream home … because, ultimately, your choice comes down to your family’s needs and lifestyle.
Footnote:
The lead images in this article are (top) a spectacular 3,054-square-foot Traditional style home with five bedrooms with an eye-popping two-story Grand Room – for more details, go to Plan #198-1020 – (bottom), a charming country style home with a vaulted ceiling at the front door and a Cathedral-ceiling Great Room. To view more details of this amazing home, go to Plan #142-1205