If you’re dreaming about building with Schumacher Homes, the first thing you’ll do is fall down the rabbit hole of floor plans. Trust me — I’ve been there. Hours of scrolling, pinning, and imagining this one’s it… until you find another one that steals your heart.
When we started our build here in Charleston County, I knew I wanted something that felt coastal, charming, and family-friendly — without wrecking our budget. Easy, right? (Cue the nervous laughter.)
So today I’m sharing the Schumacher plans that made our shortlist, why we loved them, and the tweaks I’d make to give each one a little coastal flair. I’ll also be honest about what worked for our budget and flood zone realities — because sometimes the dream plan on paper isn’t the dream plan in real life.
Savannah Plan (the One That Got Away)
The Savannah plan was love at first sight. A sprawling one-story with all the southern charm — wide layout, easy flow, and plenty of space to spread out. If we weren’t so close to the water, this would’ve been my top pick.
But here’s the reality: living near the coast means you pay a price — literally. Our flood zone requires the house to be elevated, and raising a one-story with a bigger footprint on cement blocks would’ve cost way more than going two-story.
Add in the fact that we’re building in a historic district, where there are extra rules about materials and overall design, and suddenly the Savannah wasn’t just expensive — it was a logistical headache.
If you’re not in a flood zone (lucky you!) or you’re building on a property without those restrictions, the Savannah could be such a gorgeous, coastal-inspired forever home. For us? We had to pass — but it still deserves a spot on the favorites list.
Meadowview Plan (Our Pick!)
After running the numbers (and facing those flood zone realities), the Meadowview plan came out on top for us. It gave us the coastal charm we wanted but in a smarter, more budget-friendly footprint.
Of course, we couldn’t leave it exactly as-is. We made a few tweaks to fit our family’s needs and make it feel like “us”:
- Added a 4th bedroom for extra breathing room.
- Opened up the upstairs into a loft area for play + hangouts.
- Extended a screened-in back porch (because Charleston mosquitos do not play 🦟😂).
- Swapped in a freestanding tub (dreamy + practical).
- Reworked the mudroom into a more open-concept space for drop zones and storage.
- And most importantly → added windows galore so it feels light, airy, and coastal.
What I love about the Meadowview is that it balances function + charm. We still get the family-friendly layout, but with all the little upgrades that make it feel coastal and cozy — without breaking the budget (or blowing the foundation costs out of proportion).
Bluffton Coastal Plan
The Bluffton Coastal was another favorite on my list. It’s got that easy, breezy layout that screams “lowcountry living” — wide porches, open gathering spaces, and a natural flow from kitchen to outdoors.
What I loved: it already has a coastal feel built in, so you don’t have to tweak too much to make it beachy + bright.
But for our family, it had one dealbreaker: there wasn’t a natural place to add a 4th bedroom on an elevated plan. With kids and guests in the mix, we knew we’d need that extra flexibility — so sadly, the Bluffton didn’t make the cut.
Belleville Coastal Plan
The Belleville is one of Schumacher’s larger plans, and it definitely has that “dream home” feel at 3,182 sq ft. It features not one, but two owner’s retreats — which is perfect if you’re planning for multigenerational living, want a junior suite, or just love the idea of a private guest space for out-of-town visitors.
What I loved: the flexibility. The main owner’s retreat comes with a deluxe bath, giant walk-in closet, and even a private flex space (hello, home office or Peloton room 🙋♀️). Upstairs, the additional bedrooms share both private and Jack-and-Jill style baths, making it a super functional family home.
Why we didn’t choose it: plain and simple, it was bigger than we needed — and that pushed it out of our budget. For families who want more space or love the idea of dual suites, the Belleville could be an amazing option. For us, it was more house (and more cost) than made sense.
Other Plans We Considered
Carolina Elevated Plan
The Carolina is one of Schumacher’s elevated plans — designed for coastal + flood zone living. While it’s super practical if you’re right on the water, the layout itself just wasn’t the right fit for our family’s needs. Still, it’s worth a look if you’re building in a flood-prone area and want something already designed to sit higher.
Southport Plan
The Southport would be adorable near the beach — cozy, coastal, and full of charm. At 1,861 sq ft, though, it was just too small for our family. If you’re looking for a smaller footprint (or even a vacation-style home), this could be the perfect pick.
Choosing a floor plan isn’t just about what looks pretty on paper — it’s about how it fits your family, your budget, and yes, even your flood zone or HOA rules. For us, the Meadowview was the sweet spot: coastal charm, practical upgrades, and budget-smart design.
No matter which plan you land on, I hope this gives you ideas for what’s possible (and maybe saves you a little time in the rabbit hole 🐇✨).
👉 Want to see how all those “little tweaks” add up? Grab my free Budget Tracker here and start running your own numbers.
