FLOORPLAN REVIEW: RAVENWOOD by AHP

If you love the idea of main-level living with room to grow, the Ravenwood plan by Advanced House Plans (AHP) is worth a closer look. This sprawling ranch layout offers thoughtful separation of spaces, generous square footage, and an optional basement that makes it especially appealing for families, multi-generational living, or anyone planning ahead.

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Rendering of the Ravenwood plan by Advanced House Plans

Below, I’m breaking down what works beautifully, what I’d tweak as a designer (and mom), and how I’d finish one key area of the home to elevate the overall feel. QUICK DISCLAIMER: The ideas shared in this post are conceptual design suggestions ONLY and are not guaranteed by Advanced House Plans (AHP). AHP offers free quotes for plan modifications and alterations to ensure you are happy with your floor plan prior to purchase, and you are welcome to use my suggestions to share with them. But as with any revisions, these could alter the total square footage and could also result in modification fees and potentially increase the cost to build. Ok, so let's get into what I love, what i'd change and a little look into the finish selections I'd recommend.

Ravenwood plan by Advanced House Plans

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS FLOOR PLAN

The standout feature of the Ravenwood is its wide, single-level ranch layout. One-level homes are ideal for:

• Families needing or planning for main-level living

• Aging-in-place or in-law suite scenarios

• Daily functionality without constant stair use
  

Something that Advanced House Plans does that is really helpful is that a lot of their floor plans include an optional basement plan. If your lot allows, this is a great way to give you ranch home some multi-level space:

• Everyday living stays on the main level

• Extra space below for recreation, guests, teens, or storage

• Natural separation between “busy” and “quiet” zones
  

Some other features I'm loving:

• multiple fireplaces

• open concept entertaining space that opens up to a large extended outdoor living area

• 3-car garage provide plenty of space for parking AND for storage/workshop
  

  

  

  

  

  
  
  

Photos are property of Advanced House Plans

WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST MODIFYING

While this is a great floor plan, there are a few things I would suggest considering in terms of alterations. A few minor tweaks and a couple of large relocations. I've numbered each one on the below modified plan so that you can easily relay these to your designer at AHP when working through how to modify the plan:

Ravenwood plan by Advanced House Plans, with suggested alterations in yellow by SDid

1 - This was originally drawn as a glass wine display. Which, is really cool. However, wearing my mom hot, not the most practical (or safe) for our family. I can envision someone crashing into it, or keeping it smudged with fingerprints. I'd rather see that used as a drop zone.

Photos are property of Advanced House Plans

2- This is subtle, but I'd extend that section of countertop to provide more or a landing space next the fridge. It will close in the opening to the dining room a little, but will still keep it feeling open enough.

3- This is labeled as a living room in the original Ravenwood plan with glass walls and doors. This would make an amazing guest room, especially with that cozy fireplace. I know for sure my parents would love coming to visit in a room like that.

4 - To go along with the guest room swap in the living room space (from item 3 above), you need a nice guest bathroom in close proximity. This space was originally for the laundry room, but I think it makes the perfect spot to add a full bath.

5 - Piggy backing off of the above item, the laundry room would then be relocated here, still spacious enough, A pocket door would be ideal here if the wall space allows for it (worth a discussion with your designer at AHP).

6- This is a subtle change. I am suggesting removing the ceiling detail here just to keep both rooms equal. I know my kids would fight over that room because it would be "cooler" to have it. Keep the secondary rooms simple.

7 - On the original plan, this is a super cute courtyard patio space with archways and everything. Seriously, love it. However - putting my mom hat back on - I would not feel safe knowing my young kids had outdoor access from their bedrooms. So instead, I am suggesting that it be enclosed and become part of the interior square footage. It would then make a great spot to move the shared jack and jill bath.

Photos are property of Advanced House Plans

8 - This is another pretty small suggestion, but it is such a game changer! Consider adding a secondary door between the garage and the pantry, often referred to as a "Costco Door". That's right, a little hidden access that makes unloading the groceries from the garage so much easier for those big grocery hauls. If you are not able or do not wish to build this plan with the optional basement, there is a 9th suggestion I have noted below. Again, it would greatly depend on the engineering of the home to make sure this suggestion is possible, but always worth asking:

9 - If you eliminate the basement option, you could potentially remove the need for this staircase. Which in that case you could ask about using that space to give the new proposed guest room a sizable walk in closet.

DESIGNER TIPS FOR FINISHES AND STYLING

Let's look at the open kitchen to help paint a picture. Here's some suggested finishes:

• Flooring (throughout the home) would look amazing in a light natural finish. I personally would go with either an engineered hardwood or a high quality LVP flooring in a natural white oak finish with wider planks and a natural matte finish.

• I always love mixing different tones when it comes to cabinetry. I would love to see a combination of a natural oak finish (or even a darker walnut finish) + light mushroom putty color. Break it up so that the perimeter cabinets are different than the island. I'd also suggest doing the taller oven and fridge cabinets to match the island (to stand out against the perimeter cabinets)

• Countertops are a great place to make a statement. And, you'd be surprised at some great lower cost options. For example, one of my favorites is Fantasy Brown marble in a honed or leathered finish. It's a harder marble, so more durable and more dense than your standard carrara marble. Plus, the cost can be in line with some of your level 2 or level 3 options. Another great lower cost option would be honed Negresco granite. It gives an elevate look similar to soapstone. I would suggest using either of those stones on all surfaces in the kitchen.

• Your backsplash should be simple so that it doesn't take away from gorgeous countertops. I would suggest a simple square or elongated subway tile in a handmade glazed texture in a light greige color, similar to the putty cabinet color.

• Lighting can really impact a space. For an island this large, you have a few options: I would suggest either 3 large pendants, 4 medium pendants, or for a bold look you could use 2 oversized/jumbo (30-36"w) pendants.

• Cabinet hardware would look nice in either matte black or brass finish (either aged or unlacquered) against the cabinet colors I suggested above. If going with the darker Negresco countertop, I love aged or unlacquered brass.

  
  

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FINAL THOUGHTS

As I stated above, I love this Ravenwood floor plan as is but if I were to build this home for our family, these are the modifications I would explore with the designer/architect at Advanced House Plans.

I also only touched ever so lightly on finishes but you could do so much with this home! If you're interested in seeing how you could finish other spaces of the home, I'd love to put together a plan to help streamline the build process for you. Schedule a virtual consultation or send an inquiry.