A traditional home that measures 2,827 square feet across two stories must balance the formal character of its exterior with the informal flow that modern families expect indoors. This floor plan achieves that balance by placing brick, stone, and arched doorways on the outside while organizing the interior around a connected family room, kitchen, and breakfast area on the main floor. A formal dining room near the front entry preserves the traditional hierarchy of spaces, while a study and full bathroom on the main level add flexibility. This combination of formal and informal zones mirrors layouts seen in a two-story Mediterranean home floor plan where traditional exterior detailing coexists with a modern open layout on the inside.
Open Living Space Layout on the Main Floor
The main floor centers on an open layout that connects the family room directly to the kitchen and breakfast area. This L shaped or linear arrangement means that someone cooking in the kitchen can see and talk to family members in the living area, and breakfast can be served directly from the kitchen island or counter without crossing through a separate dining room. Removing walls between these three zones makes the 2,827 square foot home feel larger than its actual size. The same spatial strategy works in two-story coastal home designs where open concept living connects cooking, dining, and lounging in a single unobstructed zone. An open layout also improves natural light distribution, since windows in one zone brighten adjacent areas.
Family Room Configuration
The family room occupies the largest floor area on the main level. It connects to the kitchen on one side and may open to the rear veranda through sliding or French doors. This placement makes the family room the hub of daily activity, while the formal living room near the front of the house handles special occasions. A fireplace in the family room anchors the seating area and reduces the need for the formal living room to serve as the primary gathering space. Ceiling height in the family room is typically 9 to 10 feet, matching or exceeding the height of adjacent rooms to maintain visual continuity in the open plan.
Open Layout Dimensions and Proportions
| Space | Approximate Dimensions | Typical Square Footage |
|---|---|---|
| Family room | 18 ft x 20 ft | 360 |
| Kitchen | 14 ft x 16 ft | 224 |
| Breakfast area | 10 ft x 12 ft | 120 |
| Formal dining room | 12 ft x 14 ft | 168 |
| Study | 10 ft x 12 ft | 120 |
These dimensions keep each zone distinct while allowing open sight lines across the combined space. The kitchen width of 14 feet allows for a center island with clearance on both sides, typically 42 to 48 inches of aisle space for comfortable movement.
Traditional Exterior Elements and Architectural Details
The traditional character of this home comes from specific architectural details applied to the exterior. Brick and stone cladding cover the facade, with brick used as the primary material and stone accents at the foundation, porch columns, and around the entry. Arched doorways at the front entrance and on the porch create a classical silhouette that distinguishes the home from simpler rectangular openings. Ornamental details on the front porch columns, such as fluting, capitals, or decorative brackets, add craftsmanship to the entry. These elements, taken together, give the home a sense of permanence and quality that neutral modern boxes cannot match. The ornamental front porch columns bring a classic touch that anchors the facade.
Brick and Stone Material Selection
Choosing brick and stone for a traditional home exterior involves decisions about color, texture, and bond pattern. Red or brown brick in a running bond pattern is standard for traditional styles. Stone veneer at the foundation and around the entry provides a visual base that grounds the building. The stone should be a complementary color to the brick, typically a gray or tan natural stone or manufactured stone veneer. Mortar color also matters: white or light gray mortar creates contrast with dark brick, while matching mortar creates a more uniform surface.
- Brick types: extruded (smooth), wire cut (textured), or handmade (irregular) each give a different appearance.
- Stone options: limestone, sandstone, or manufactured stone veneer for cost savings.
- Trim materials: wood or cellular PVC for columns, fascia, and window trim that can be painted.
- Roofing: asphalt shingles in dark brown or gray complement brick and stone facades.
Second Floor Bedroom and Master Suite Arrangement
The second floor contains three bedrooms, including a master suite with a large bathroom and walk in wardrobe. Bedrooms two and three each have their own walk in closets and share a bathroom located between them. A utility room on the second floor keeps laundry close to where it is generated, a convenience that eliminates trips up and down stairs with heavy baskets. This arrangement of secondary bedrooms around a shared bath and central hallway is efficient and follows patterns seen in a log cabin floor plan design where open concept living on the main floor pairs with compact, efficient bedroom layouts upstairs.
Master Suite Design Considerations
The master suite occupies the largest second floor area, typically positioned above the family room or at one end of the house for privacy. A large bathroom connects directly to the bedroom, with a double vanity, shower, soaking tub, and separate water closet. The walk in wardrobe provides hanging and shelving space equivalent to a separate dressing room. In homes designed for long term occupancy, the master suite should accommodate aging in place needs, which means door widths of at least 32 inches and a bathroom layout that can accept grab bars later.
Walk In Wardrobe Organization
A well organized walk in wardrobe includes hanging rods at two heights, 60 inches for shirts and jackets and 40 inches for folded items, with shelving above and below. Shoe storage along the baseboard, drawers for accessories, and a full length mirror complete the space. The minimum clear width for a functional walk in is 4 feet, with 6 feet preferred for two people using the space at the same time.
Formal and Informal Dining Zones
One distinguishing feature of this floor plan is that it includes both a formal dining room near the front entry and a breakfast area connected to the kitchen. This dual dining arrangement lets homeowners use the formal dining room for holidays, dinner parties, and special occasions while relying on the breakfast area for daily meals. The formal dining room, positioned off the entry foyer, creates a sense of occasion when guests arrive. The breakfast area, part of the open kitchen layout, prioritizes convenience and casual family use. A narrow lot beach home design often takes the opposite approach, compressing dining into a single multifunctional zone to save space, but in a 2,827 square foot home the square footage exists to dedicate separate rooms to each dining use.
Formal Dining Room Design
A formal dining room should measure at least 12 feet by 14 feet to accommodate a table for eight with clearance for chairs and serving pieces. Open shelving along the wall, as seen in this plan, provides storage for china, glassware, and decorative items. A chandelier or pendant light centered over the table should hang 30 to 36 inches above the table surface.
Open Shelving Unit in the Dining Room
An open shelving unit in the dining room serves both decorative and practical roles. It displays fine china, glassware, and decorative objects while keeping them accessible for use. Open shelving eliminates the need for a separate china cabinet or hutch, which saves floor space. The shelving should be built into a wall niche or recess to avoid protruding into the room. Shelf depth of 12 to 14 inches accommodates standard dinner plates and serving dishes.
Study, Office, and Flexible Room Design
The main floor includes a study that can function as a home office, library, or guest room depending on the homeowner’s needs. A full bathroom on the main level means the study can double as a bedroom for guests who cannot climb stairs. This flexibility is valuable in a home designed for long term occupancy where needs change over time. Similar flexible room strategies appear in a two-story Pacific Southwest floor plan where a main floor room adjacent to a full bath provides adaptability for aging family members or overnight guests. A fireplace in the study with built in shelving creates a comfortable workspace that doubles as a quiet retreat away from the family room activity.
Study with Fireplace and Built In Shelving
The study features a fireplace framed by simple mantel details, with vertical windows on both sides to bring in natural light. Built in shelving along one wall provides storage for books, files, and decorative items. A round clock above the fireplace adds a decorative touch. The fireplace in the study uses less heat output than a family room fireplace since the room is smaller, typically a direct vent gas unit rated at 15,000 to 25,000 BTUs.
- Position the desk to face the room or windows, not a wall, to avoid glare on screens and maintain a view.
- Use built in shelving units at least 10 inches deep for standard books and 12 inches for binders.
- Install task lighting at the desk and ambient lighting for the shelving area to reduce eye strain.
- Ensure the study has at least one electrical outlet on each wall for flexible furniture placement.
Porch, Veranda, and Outdoor Living Space
Outdoor spaces play an important role in this floor plan. A rear veranda extends the living area outdoors, providing a covered space for seating, dining, or relaxation. A two-story contemporary home floor plan with its own approach to indoor-outdoor connections shows how different architectural styles use porches, decks, and patios to extend living space. Covered outdoor spaces also protect windows and doors from direct rain and sun, extending the life of these building components.
Veranda Design and Construction
A rear veranda should be at least 8 feet deep to accommodate seating and a dining table. The ceiling should match the porch roof slope, typically 2:12 or 3:12, with ceiling fans to improve airflow on still days. The floor can be treated wood, composite decking, or stone pavers. A veranda that extends the full width of the house provides the most usable outdoor space, but even a 12 foot by 16 foot section adds meaningful outdoor living area.
Front Porch as a Design Element
The front porch in this traditional design is more than an entry canopy. It is a full width or partial width porch with columns, railings, and a ceiling that creates a room like space. A porch depth of 6 to 8 feet allows for rocking chairs, a bench, or small table. The porch floor should be a weather resistant material such as pressure treated pine, cedar, or composite decking, finished with a slip resistant paint or stain.