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A floor plan is a less detailed illustration showing a building or room's layout from above, including elements like windows, doors, walls, and fixtures. It offers a simplified view for homeowners. In contrast, a blueprint is a more detailed, to-scale architectural drawing that includes all parts of the building plans, such as structural elements, construction details, and utility schematics. While a floor plan can be a type of view within a blueprint, the complete blueprint contains all the necessary details to turn the plan into a reality.

Open floor plans can come with drawbacks—mainly the lack of privacy and noise dampening. Walls act as an important barrier for traveling sounds, meaning in an open floor plan you could hear your dishwasher running while sitting in your living room. Storage limitations and separation of activities (for example, keeping the kid’s playroom away from the dining room) are other reasons some homeowners are opting out of an open floor plan.

You should have an architect involved in your project from the very beginning. They’ll be able to direct your vision into workable plans, and they can advise you on potential problems right from the start. You may be able to save money by not using an architect, but larger projects will go much more smoothly with an experienced pro directing the process.

Cathedral ceilings make a statement in your home, but at the cost of your attic space. Normal attics are wide open, which allows warm air to move around and exit your home. Because of this, cathedral ceilings make your home less energy efficient and put your ceiling at risk of venting issues if you’re not careful. They also reduce your attic storage space, potentially cause an echo, and even make it harder to change a light bulb.