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Some designs just naturally limit a home's appeal.

By
Home Stager

Ok, I admit it, the Bungaloft is a mystery to me.

I suppose it is supposed to appeal to empty nesters or young 'professionals' without a family but personally I don't see the draw.

It's the floor plan I find awkward. There is usually a bedroom right by the  front door, the master is on the main floor, there may or may not be a dining room, the kitchen and great room are open concept. The second floor or loft has a big open 'loft' over looking the great room with a bathroom and another bedroom.

The good features are the master suite is on the main floor and the open concept of the main floor.

The bad features are the bedroom by the front door and the wide open loft.

 Most owners seem to use this loft area as a second TV area. I guess that's good if you want to watch a movie while the spouse watches sports but don't you hear their program as well as your own? If you use the loft as an office area they still have to interfere with one another at times.

Then there is the bedroom right by the front door. Everyone that comes in the house sees it so you better hope it's tidy all the time. I wouldn't be comfortable putting a child or a teen in that room. Even the bedroom upstairs is isolated from the master if you have a child.

As far as I can see, the design is not made for living but it is pretty LOL. 

 

Posted by

Retired Home Stager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments(12)

Sharon Lord
Maracay Homes - Peoria, AZ
New Home Advisor

Bungaloft...?!?!  That's a new one to me!  If you find a floor plan for one, please do a blog on it!  I'm curious to see - sounds like a layout that REALLY limits your potential buyers!

Mar 28, 2012 01:47 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Sharon, I think it does. It's really designed for empty nesters wanting to downsize. To me the open concept leaves you few options to doing separate things without bothering the other person. The bedroom layout doesn't really lend it self to say small grandchildren staying over. Just not my cup of tea ;).

Mar 28, 2012 04:29 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Janice- our first house in Fl had the master up in a loft and it was not fully closed off.  So we could hear everything going on.  There were 2 bedrooms downstairs.  We had an award-winning architect over and he was at a loss as to what to do.  It was just the 2 of us but it worked.  We mainly bought the house because it was on the water.  

Mar 28, 2012 05:32 AM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Janice,

I think that the office works better just inside the front dootr with the master upstairs. 

Brian

Mar 28, 2012 11:36 AM
Peg Barcelo
Fluff My House! Home Staging Inc. 250.486.6369 - Summerland, BC
The FlufftasticStager from Summerland, BC

Janice, I love the term 'Bungaloft'! Very cute! It often makes me wonder what builders/architects are thinking. So often a home has weirds wall angles or rooms with no purpose (which is good for us) or light switches in the most awkward places. I think Bill Watterson said it best: "Architects and builders should have to live in their designs for a year before it gets sold.

He also said that childrens book writers should have to read their books every night too... :D

Mar 28, 2012 11:42 AM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Janice--I am following both Peg and Kathy's comments.  I wonder what they were thinking when they designed and built it.  And it's very common here in the vacation rental condos to have the master bedroom in the loft upstairs with only a half-height wall.  Uh, too weird for me. 

Mar 28, 2012 05:04 PM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Kathy, I've been in a town house like that here. I guess I'm just not an open concept girl LOL.

Mar 28, 2012 11:29 PM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Brian, I agree about the office. I guess the master on the first floor Was to appeal to the aging empty nester who may develop mobility problems.

Mar 28, 2012 11:31 PM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Peg, I'd have to agree! If they lived in these creations they could work out the bugs LOL

Mar 28, 2012 11:32 PM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Janet, If someone is sick or sleeping in what does the other person do? Go out? Read a book quietly LOL?

Mar 28, 2012 11:34 PM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Valerie, I like the master being on the main floor for those looking for their 'last' home but you really do give up other things.

Mar 31, 2012 12:52 AM