Imagine walking amid waterfalls and lakes in Texas ... hosting a ball in the Grand Salon of a Bel Air mansion … savoring fine wine in a Tuscan villa … or enjoying London on the roof terrace of a Regency townhouse. Dreams can come true. But there are intriguing simple pleasures within your reach.

Have four or more kids at home? Moving Grandma and Grandpa in with the rest of the family? Have a grown child who has decided to boomerang? Consider building a multigenerational or large home, which can give you the versatility you need to live with everyone under one roof.

As the kitchen continues to be a focus of architectural and interior design ideas, the eat-in kitchen has been “reinvented” as THE place for casual dining. With modern families’ busier lifestyles, an eat-in kitchen – where everyone can gather while meals are being prepared and then eat – is convenient and practical.

As we close in on the last several weeks of 2017, we can’t help but wonder what the new year will bring in home décor trends. What will be the popular paint colors? How will kitchen finishes change next year? What hot item will you see in all the home design stores?

Have you been hearing about the “tiny movement”? Want to learn about the differences between tiny houses and small homes, the benefits of each, and which option might be right for you? If you’ve been dreaming about a minimalist lifestyle, then a small or tiny house might just be your “right” next move.

Features such as high ceilings, an expansive master suite, home office, media room, or separate guest space can easily fit in a mid-sized home plan. Many luxury home features are added during construction, such as upgraded bathrooms, custom kitchens, and upgraded flooring or lighting. With well-designed floor plans and wonderful interior finishes, many of today's luxury homes are in the 3000-3500 square foot range.

Not a tiny house or a McMansion, a five-bedroom house plan is designed to accommodate the lifestyle and needs of a growing family. With styles that range from Colonial, Country, Craftsman, European, and Mediterranean, these plans are trendy and appealing, and offer the ultimate in space and versatility.

The most inconvenient aspect of two-story homes – especially for retirees – is stairs. Climbing staircases simply isn’t possible for many people. The alternative for these seniors: single-story house plans that are less than 2,000 square feet. They give aging homeowners freedom and mobility without limiting the home’s scope and style.

From just a mere cabinet to hide pipes, house the sink, and give needed storage, the bathroom vanity – a simple standalone or a stylish split fixture in master suites – has evolved into a trendy centerpiece of the bathroom. Here’s a look at the split vanity’s various design configurations and benefits.

Stylish, versatile, and affordable, 1000–1500-square-foot home plans come with all the wonderful “big-home” elements that you can want – minus the huge price tag. From various architectural designs that feature open floor plans, vaulted and high ceilings, bonus spaces, and mudrooms, there’s everything to love about these smaller house plans.