Floor plans are the most fundamental diagram drawn for any construction project. A well planned project begins with a good floor plan.
A living room which lacks space for a conversation area, allowing you to speak with family and guests facing each-other, is functionally void.
Plan Better
Inspiration, time, dedication and ideas are the ingredients needed for a good floor plan. Don't give up too soon, keep experimenting. A pencil and a paper is all you will need.
Before we get into the specifics, let me start by giving you a general idea of what a good floor plan is. Floor plans are arrangements of rooms and management of space. Lesser underutilized area results in a better floor plan. Good ventilation, access to and fro from common spaces and gardens, all add up to a good floor plan. Imagining how you would circulate between rooms, might give you better ideas for well arranged rooms, which in turn gives a spacious and seamless look to your house. A plan which satisfies all the above, still giving the right amount of privacy according to the functionality of each room is a good floor plan.
1) Functionality.
A room is always designed to serve its primary function. But if there is space within the room to store the things needed in the room, then its better. If you can move about without difficulty even after having the storage and furniture around, then its still better. In addition, if your room is well lit along-with proper lighting for night time , have multi-functional furniture which aid in storage and functionality then it will be absolutely divine.
2) Furniture should not be an afterthought.
Even though furniture are the elements which make a room complete, most people don't think about them while planning. Arrangement of furniture is important for better circulation. A living room which lacks space for a conversation area, allowing you to speak with family and guests, facing each-other is functionally void.
3) Don't hesitate to change plan as ideas flow.
You only loose a sheet of paper when you change a floor plan. It won't be that simple after you commence your construction. Don't be afraid to go overboard with floor plans. My post on 'building your house as your family grows,' actually explains why you should plan extensively and elaborately.
4) Storage is important.
Floor plans actually get very interesting when you add niche for storage. Calculating storage needs and providing niche area for wardrobes and closets, helps keep the flow of the room. A straight wall with a niche for a wardrobe looks classier than a afterthought wardrobe that protrudes from the wall. Play around with niche areas while planning, its fun and interestingly saves a lot of carpet area.
5) You live inside. Insides matter most.
Your lifestyle is affected by your interiors. This includes your floor plan, furniture, lighting and everything visible and invisible inside your house. Do not compromise on the floor plan thinking about how it would affect the exterior look of your house. I don't believe in the concept that interior and exterior is equally important, this isn't true especially for a budget house. We can always work on exterior to make it look better.
6) More natural light is always better.
Light and ventilation gives freshness to rooms. Sunlight kills bacteria and ventilation brings fresh air. Windows let you connect with the outer world, while you enjoy the comfort of your house. They also bring design features, add colour and make your wall pleasant, which would otherwise have been a non-functional, dull wall. More the number of windows the better.
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