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The search for the golden mean led you to a 3,500-square-foot house. Don’t be surprised, because it is pretty natural! Is this footage big enough to let a large family have a full, joyful, and carefree life and simultaneously be reasonably ergonomic to avoid unnecessary expenses? So, are you drooling over a 3,500-square-foot house? Let’s see what you can afford.
3500 Square Foot House Features
You can already act on a particular scale by allowing yourself many square feet. There’s plenty of room for everyone, including children and guests, who love staying with you. So, what does the layout of a house of 3,500 square feet include? Let’s figure it out.
- Up to three floors. Three floors up is a relatively rare option for this footage, as it has some inconvenience. However, 3500 square foot houses are already more popular, although two and one stories are still at the peak of demand.
- Up to four bathrooms. The house owners can count on a full main suite with facilities that accommodate a full bath and spa. You can arrange shared bathrooms for kids’ rooms and separate guest units depending on the layout.
- Three to five bedrooms. The number of areas for recreation depends on you, but a huge main bedroom and a few extras are alright!
- Variety of options for kitchen and dining area. The allocation of a separate dining room for a 3500-square-foot house is typical. However, you are not limited to this option, as you can add a breakfast corner or make the space fully open, and vaulted ceilings provide more light and air.
We should also mention the magnificent opportunities for outdoor amenities. The owners of these houses can afford patios, covered lanais, and wraparound balconies and terraces on the upper floors. They all provide comfort, pleasure, and even more impressions of living in a 3500 square feet house.
How Big Is A 3500 Square Foot House?
Most architects rate this house as upper-mid-size and argue it can accommodate almost any average household. Whether you need a place to accommodate guests, more kid’s rooms, a home office, or a little gym – you can afford it all! Moreover, you have enough space for furniture and decoration that you like. So, you will like it if you love cozy knick-knacks and cute things and do not share that trendy love for minimalism.
And a few more words about architecture. Although traditional, rustic, country, and farmhouse still hold the leading position in the rating of popular styles for a house of 3,500 square feet. However, the atmospheric, elegant Mediterranean and trendy Contemporary will also look spectacular.
3500 Square Foot House Plans
A 3,500-square-foot house already gives you a lot of opportunities to get your architecture and design right. And that’s true because there’s plenty of freedom for all your schemes! Of course, it would be difficult for us to tell you about all the house plans at once, but we suggest studying the most exciting items worth your attention!
3500 Sq Ft 2-Story Tudor-Style House with 4 Bedrooms, 3,5 Bathrooms, and a 2-Car Garage
Source: The Plan Collection
The unique harmony and the charming authentic details, including the masonry contrast, emphasize this house’s European look. The slight asymmetry in the architecture of the two outbuildings, one of which hides a spacious garage, becomes another individual accent.
The layout of the main floor with two large master suites is flexible enough, as the rooms can be adapted for both workout and dining areas, and in the back of the house, there is an optional space for the screened patio for a cozy and safe rest. A spacious family room with an open passage to the kitchen and dining room can be an alternative to a more comfortable and enclosed living room. At the same time, this small living room and the adjacent bedroom and bathroom can be used as a mother-in-law suite.
The top floor offers more recreation opportunities. Two bedrooms with walk-in closets and a shared bathroom will delight with space, and the rest of the area can be adapted for a media room.
3500 Sq Ft Two-Story Prairie House with 4 Bedrooms, 4,5 Bathrooms, and a Lavish Outdoor Area
Source: Architectural Designs
The exterior of this house is typical of this style and yet full of harmony. The ambiguous geometry, flattened roofs, and high narrow windows make it look upward and very lightweight, and the light walls add even more ease.
From the front door, you can view the living room in all details, up to the entrance to the outdoor lounge area. The windows let through a tremendous amount of light, contributing to an atmosphere of lightness and positivity. However, this is more than just the great room you can count on. The magnificent main suite and its adjoining media room, the guest accommodation, and the impressive kitchen with a unique dining space will present a new level of comfort. The upper floor with a balcony allows you to appreciate the benefits of two more bedrooms with private bathrooms and a room of the proper shape, suitable for both an office and a lounge area.
And yet, the outdoor area has become the highlight of this plan. The sundeck, the swimming pool, the grilling station, and the excellent dining area will inspire you to catch as many beautiful days as possible without going in!
3500 Sq Ft 3-Story Chalet with up to 5 Bedrooms and 3 Full Bathrooms
Source: The Drummond House Plan
This delightful house is called upon to enjoy a serene holiday in the mountains or on the lake shore. The textures of brick and stone are in absolute harmony. The elegant light columns and the unobtrusive decorative elements effortlessly support the unusual terrace and a spacious screened porch, which has become one of the gemstones. Huge windows and flawless gable roofs make the house feel like floating in the air.
The layout of the first floor is divided between a separate family room and a spacious living room with a dining area. The kitchen with the island offers facilities for both fun parties and cozy family evenings. The location of the primary suite with a walk-in closet and a bathroom is very rational, as the windows open the full view of the backyard.
The upper floor, with two symmetrical bedrooms and a shared bathroom, is clear and traditional, and the basement floor offers a total living space and can even be considered an ADU.
3500 Sq Ft 2-Storey Modern House with 5 Bedrooms and 4 Full Bathrooms
Source: DFD House Plans
Modern residential architecture fans will appreciate this house’s calm and clean lines. Wooden rails and tiles create an unusual texture union complemented by the stone decoration of the cap, and the elongated windows provide ease and perfection of proportions. The glazed garage doors fit into the exterior and do not create a hint of dissonance.
The simplicity and rationality of the interior layout are the plan’s greatest strengths. The transition from the endless living room to the dining room and kitchen is free, and a cozy and comfortable corner, providing a walk-in closet and a bathroom, will impress your guests. The upper floor, with three bedrooms and a master suite, is entirely devoted to rest, and one of them also has a private bathroom, while the other two are content with a comfortable shared one.
3500 Sq Ft 2-Storey European Mansion House with 3 Master Suites, Formal Living and Dining Rooms, and a Home Office
Source: Drummond House Plans
What would you say about living in a fabulous castle? If you think it’s impossible to afford 3,500 square feet, now is the time to change your mind about housing, and with this plan, it’s easy for you to do it! A delightful chateau with trapezoidal roofs, a high circular turret in the center, and slender, arched windows refers to the tale of Sleeping Beauty. However, this is only the charm of the exterior, as the layout will inspire the owners with a modern approach.
In fact, the elegant left-wing hides a garage for two cars with the space for a workshop. That delightful round turret has a home office and a cozy coffee corner. The cathedral ceilings, the fireplace, and many built-ins together with three windows create a perfect atmosphere in the family room, and the dining room next to the breakfast area will conquer the space and the comfortable access to the rear deck.
However, it is the three complete master suites on the upper floor that give so much radiance to this house plan. Each of them has a private bathroom and a closet. You see, dreams come true!
How Much Does It Cost to Build A 3500 Square Foot House?
Building a 3,500-square-foot house is feasible, so many Americans prefer the construction. Of course, this requires an investment of time, effort, and money (that’s how it goes, you know), but the final settlement and the proudness of having built this house on your own more than cover any difficulties and nervous breakdowns you may face in the process. However, let’s get back to the money.
According to Casaplorer, the average cost of building a house is $472,500. At the same time, residents of the Southeast will be able to save and meet the $ 385,000, but in the Western states, they will have to fork over $560,000. Our spreadsheet is at your service if you are interested in a more state-specific layout.
State | Cost to Build a House |
Alabama | $338,000-$414,000 |
Alaska | $525,000-$640,000 |
Arizona | $424,000-$518,000 |
Arkansas | $324,000-$396,000 |
California | $492,000-$602,000 |
Colorado | $432,000-$528,000 |
Florida | $340,000-$416,000 |
Georgia | $360,000-$439,000 |
Idaho | $405,000-$495,000 |
Iowa | $435,000-$531,000 |
Kansas | $423,000-$517,000 |
Kentucky | $362,000-$443,000 |
Maine | $540,000-$660,000 |
Massachusetts | $720,000-$880,000 |
Michigan | $448,000-$548,000 |
Mississippi | $340,000-$416,000 |
Missouri | $476,000-$581,000 |
Nevada | $462,000-$565,000 |
New Jersey | $691,000-$844,000 |
New York | $675,000-$825,000 |
North Carolina | $336,000-$410,000 |
North Dakota | $458,000-$560,000 |
Ohio | $460,000-$561,000 |
Oklahoma | $343,000-$420,000 |
Pennsylvania | $600,000-$734,000 |
South Carolina | $345,000-$421,000 |
South Dakota | $395,000-$483,000 |
Texas | $348,000-$425,000 |
Utah | $410,000-$501,000 |
Virginia | $344,000-$420,000 |
Washington | $501,000-$612,000 |
Wyoming | $430,000-$527,000 |
In general, the cost of a house depends on your financial capabilities, your own vision of your home, and, therefore, the ideas you dream of realizing. Let’s talk more about the points that your scheme may include.
- Land ($8,000-$18,000). The house of 3500 square feet does not require endless fields, but you can dream of a more cozy and spacious plot. So, all the investments are up to you.
- Site Works ($2,000-$6,000). The site’s initial readiness for construction is the key to calculating costs. You may be lucky enough to get a perfectly flat site for building a house. However, if you like the land in the wooded area, the costs will be much higher.
- House Plan (up to $4,000). A 3500 square foot house is a challenge for the designer, as they need to kill not two but even three birds with a single shot, finding a balance between rationality, comfort, and aesthetics. If you are confident, you can handle this alone, look for an intelligent designer, and do not skimp on the funds.
- Foundations ($7,000-$15,000). Crawl or slab are more economical options, but the basement will allow you to arrange another floor with more amenities, so some homeowners also prefer to invest in this option. Besides, in this version, the finishing looks even more beautiful.
- Framing ($30,000-$50,000). The frame and finishing of the house will take most of your budget, but it is natural, so prepare a cost plan in advance. As a rule, it includes materials and workers’ fees, so the more complex the architecture and layout are, the higher the costs will be.
- Exterior ($35,000-$45,000). While modern and country do not require huge investments in the house’s exterior, Mediterranean, farmhouse, and European, assume a lot of architectural details and complex window forms, not to mention the porticoes, piles, and trim. However, the game is worth the candle, as you get unique architecture.
- System Installation ($30,000-$50,000). Of course, working with electricity, plumbing, and HVAC will require a fee. However, the more carefully and qualitatively all this will be done, the more comfortable you will be in your own house. That is why you calculate everything correctly and make sure to find a conscientious crew to make everything perfect.
- Interior ($70,000-…?). We won’t put a ceiling here because the more extravagant the ideas are, the bigger the spending. You may love high-tech, be inspired by American classics, or stop at minimalism. Anyway, wall, floor, and ceiling coverings, furniture, accessories, and kitchen appliances come in a round amount, but their limits vary from home to home.
- Outdoor amenities. ($5,000-$15,000). You may be satisfied with a cozy tiled patio in the backyard with a table, wicker chairs, and thujas around the perimeter. You can dream of a screened porch to enjoy nature in any weather, and even the spa area, especially if you live where eternal summer is. In short, the more you want, the more you spend. But agree, all these expenses are for the sole good!
How Much Does It Cost to Buy A 3500 Square Foot House?
Buying a 3,500 square foot house – whatever could be more natural? Besides, it does not mean you will spend much more than on the construction in this case. The prestige of the location, the design, the condition, and the type of the plot are the key factors affecting the price of the house, but geography cannot be discarded. So, according to our good tradition, here is a list of several states with starting prices for you:
- New Hampshire – from $345,000
- Kansas – from $350,000
- Colorado – from $390,000
- Utah – from $425,000
- Florida – from $340,000
- Maine – from $300,000
- Illinois – from $400,000
- New Jersey – from $380,000
- Idaho – from $400,000
- New York – from $320,000
- Massachusetts – from $480,000
- Minnesota – from $350,000
- California – from $430,000
- Vermont – from $350,000
- Washington – from $400,000
- South Carolina – from $375,000
Please note that this is the minimum amount for which you can get a strong, reliable, and livable house with a pleasant layout, attractive exterior, and a well-maintained plot. You can save money and look for a foreclosed home or something requiring repair and improvement or, on the contrary, direct your efforts to choose a more luxurious option. Anyway, we have already outlined the indicative guidelines for your future spending.
Conclusions
The 3500 square foot house is perfect for a large, friendly family and a well-off couple. Let yourself live in absolute comfort and in an environment that corresponds to all your tastes and wishes without extra paying for luxury!