The Plan Room

Welcome to The Plan Room — your go-to resource for all things residential home design.

Whether you're a first-time homebuilder navigating the world of house plans for the first time, or simply dreaming of the perfect custom home, you've come to the right place. At Royal Oaks Design, we believe that finding the right floor plan is the foundation of every great home — and we're here to make that journey easier, smarter, and more inspiring.

In The Plan Room, we share practical tips for shopping and selecting residential house plans, expert insights into home design trends, and the philosophy that drives every plan we create. From understanding square footage and layouts to choosing a style that fits your lifestyle and lot, we cover the topics that matter most to future homeowners like you.

We'd love for this blog to be more than just a resource — we want it to be a conversation. Explore our posts, share your thoughts in the comments, and let us know what topics you'd like us to cover next.

Your dream home starts with the right plan. Let's find it together.
Side-by-Side Duplex Homes: A Smart, Stylish Way to Build, Live, and Invest, a couple stand in the covered front porch.
Could a Duplex Be the Best Home You Ever Build?
Side-by-Side Duplex Homes: A Smart, Stylish Way to Build, Live, and Invest If you've been exploring home designs lately, there's a good chance you've come across the term "multifamily home."... Read more...
Illustration of a small farmhouse cottage with a covered porch and white siding. A side driveway leads to a single car detached garage in the backyard
Build Smart: The Real Benefits of House Plans Without an Attached Garage
House Plans Without a Garage: A Smart Choice for Today's Homebuilder When most people start shopping for house plans, the garage is often near the top of the wish list.... Read more...
Home office with a large window behind a desk and chair. Walls are chocolate grown with shelves. A big soft leather chair is in the corner
Home Office House Plans: A Smart Feature for Every Budget and Square Footage
Work From Home in Style: Why Every House Plan Needs a Home Office Whether you're logging into your first Zoom call of the morning or wrapping up a late-night project,... Read more...
Illustration of 3 modern style homes on a tree lined suburban street
Modern Style House Plans: Timeless Design Meets Modern Living
The Evolution of Modern Style House Plans: From Mid-Century to Today Modern style house plans have captivated homeowners for decades, representing a significant departure from traditional and historical architectural styles.... Read more...
The pictures hanging on a wall that depict small house plans
The Right-Sized Home: 3-Bedroom House Plans Under 1,800 Sq. Ft.
There's something quietly exciting about the idea of building a home that fits your life perfectly — not too big, not too small, but just right. If you've been exploring... Read more...
Three images side by side of home plans that are between 2001 and 2500 square feet in size
The Sweet Spot: Why 2,001–2,500 Sq. Ft. Home Plans Are a Perfect Fit
When it comes to finding the ideal home plan, the 2,001–2,500 square foot range consistently rises to the top of the list — and it's easy to see why. Whether... Read more...
Illustration of a modern farmhouse with a metal roof and natural wood column and trim.
Your Home's Best-Kept Secret: The Bonus Room Over the Garage
When you are choosing a house plan, it is natural to focus first on the essentials: bedrooms, bathrooms, the kitchen, and the main gathering spaces. Yet one less conventional area... Read more...
Illustration of a beautifully designed Bungalow style house plans with a metal roof over a covered front porch and white siding.
Bungalow Style House Plans: Timeless Charm Meets Modern Living
There's something undeniably appealing about a well-designed bungalow. With its low-pitched roof, wide front porch, and charming proportions, this architectural style has captured the hearts of homeowners for over a... Read more...
Illustration of a Country home with a metal roof over a covered front porch. It has white siding and a natural wood garage door.
Why Country Style Homes Are America's Timeless Sweetheart
There's something about a country-style home that just feels like home. Maybe it's the welcoming front porch, the warm wood accents, or the way the roofline seems to say, "Come... Read more...
Three house plans designed by Royal Oaks Design all with a very important Secret
The Secret Behind Our 3 Most-Wishlisted Plans
Every now and then, certain house plans just click with people. They get saved, shared, and revisited — added to wish lists and dreamed about long before a shovel ever... Read more...
Two Small Modern Farmhouse style homes with white siding and elegant landscaping
Build Small – Live Large
Let's be honest — building a new home is not cheap. But here's a secret that savvy homebuilders have known for years: you don't need a massive square footage to... Read more...
A stunning two story Modern Farmhouse home with a metal roof over the covered front porch with soft light coming from inside during dusk
Two Story House Plans: The Smart Choice for Smaller Lots
If you're building on a smaller lot, a two story house plan might be the smartest decision you'll make. At Royal Oaks Design, more than half of our entire plan... Read more...
Why we use 2x6 lumber in all our residential home designs
Why We Use 2x6 Exterior Wall Framing in Every House Plan
When you're shopping for a house plan, the details in the design documents matter far more than most buyers realize. Floor plan layouts and square footage tend to grab the... Read more...