Building your dream home is definitely an exciting endeavor.

But have you thought about how you want it to look like? How many bedrooms will it have? How will the rooms be arranged? How big will it be? It’s essential that you get to the nitty-gritty of these details right from the get-go.

Fortunately, there are already a number of house plans available for soon-to-be homeowners like you. The Plan Collection, for example, offers various designs for you to choose from.

In order to make the right decision though, you should familiarize yourself with the different types and styles of house plans. Here are some examples:

Country

Designed to be warm and inviting, country home plans often feature a wide front porch or even one that’s wrapped around the structure. The roof is gabled, with two sloping sides that join at a ridge, and windows usually have shutters. This is a great plan if you often have guests over and hold regular family gatherings.

The country home can be one or two stories high, with three to five bedrooms, a spacious family room and ceiling, and a large kitchen.

Bungalow

Another house plan to consider for that cozy, homey feeling is the bungalow. It features eaves, those edges of the roof that hang over the walls for aesthetic or functional purposes, with exposed rafters or decorative brackets underneath. It also almost always has a front porch, which is usually built beneath an extension of the main roof.

A bungalow home is typically one storey high, with about two bedrooms and one bathroom.

Ranch

If you’re looking for something straightforward and efficient, a ranch design might be the way to go. This plan focuses on spacious and open rooms, attached garages, and wide porches. Though simple, this house plan design exudes a certain charm and is considered one of the most popular styles in America.

The ranch home is oftentimes a one-story house, with all bedrooms located in one area of the home.

Southern

Often elegant and regal-looking, the Southern style also has aspects of comfort and functionality. It features high ceilings and open porches and entryways to cope with the South’s warm and humid climate. To make it even more spacious and airy, the structure typically uses wooden materials and dormers.

The southern home often has two floors, with the second story containing additional bedrooms and bathrooms. Some variants also include an attic, attached garages, and ample yard space.

Contemporary

More a combination than a standalone design, this style is a modern take on house plans. It features simple forms and lines, large and often trapezoidal windows, lots of glass, and not many decorative details. The exterior is usually a mix of contrasting materials. This is a great house plan if you want something that looks clean yet bold, and classic yet trendy.

The contemporary home usually features an open floor plan.Take note that these are just the tip of the iceberg — there are many more house plan styles and designs available for you to choose from. Just remember to pick one that works for you and your needs. This is your dream home, after all!