If you have a large family, you may struggle to find an already-built home that accommodates you all comfortably. Having a home custom-designed and built can be a good alternative. However, there are some tips you'll want to follow if you decide to take this route.

Build up, not out.

Custom houses can get expensive, quickly, as you start to increase the size. If you want to keep costs manageable, consider building up, rather than out. This might mean adding a third floor to your home. Third floors are not that commonplace, but when you have a big family, they can be a great way to add space while also allowing individual family members to have a little more privacy. Adding a third floor does not require the home to have a larger foundation or roof. As such, it is often cheaper to add a third floor than to make the bottom floor larger.

Keep layout and space in the forefront.

As you decide on a floor plan, make sure you consider how people will move from room to room. When you have a lot of people in a home, you want to make sure hallways and door openings are wide. You want to allow for lots of gathering space, too. This might mean leaving a big, open area near the kitchen island or extending the living room a few more feet. Don't feel the need to fill every square foot of your floor plan. With a large family, you need to build in some empty space.

Opt for more small bedrooms rather than fewer large ones.

You might be tempted to build a few big bedrooms for your kids to share. But once they reach a certain age, they are probably going to want their own spaces. So, it is often best to design a home with more small bedrooms, rather than a few large bedrooms. If you want your kids to be able to "live together" when they are young, you could have doors put between the bedrooms. The kids can close these doors or open them, based on their need for privacy.

If you follow the tips above, you'll end up with a custom home that you and your large family really enjoy living in. Don't hesitate to ask your builder and designer for more tips and advice. They can tell you what has worked for other large families in your shoes.

For more information about new house construction, contact a local contractor.