If You Mess This Up, Your Next Flip Will Probably Flop

Every design process is unique, and this generic step-by-step guide to the design process is indicative only. The number of steps varies depending on the complexity of the project and whether you’re building a new home, renovating or simply making a few small home improvements. A floor plan is a type of drawing that shows you the layout of a home or property from above. A floor plan will typically illustrate the location of walls, windows, and doors, stairs and elevators, as well as fixed installations such as bathroom fixtures, kitchen cabinetry, and appliances. A floor plan is usually drawn to scale and will indicate what the room types, room sizes, and wall lengths are. A floor plan may also show furniture layouts. Here are a few tips to create space in homes:

Ensure number of bedrooms and bathrooms for the size and location of your project

It’s difficult for homeowners to work out if a room is ‘too big’ or ‘too small’. Getting room and overall house sizes perfectly suited to you is a vital part of the overall design process. When considering the spatial requirements of your project, firstly make sure you set your budget out clearly and convey this in as much detail as you can to your architect or designer. It will be their remit to ensure they design a house you can afford to build and finish. Bedrooms are dictated by the size of the bed and also the functionality of the bedroom itself. The master bedroom is likely to feature either a king size bed (1.5x2m) or a super king size bed (1.8x2m) plus any wardrobe space. Therefore, an optimum size for a master bedroom would be around 4x4m up to around 4.5×4.5m (20.25m²). This would allow enough space around the bed and also room for a sitting and/or dressing area.

Create usable living spaces

An ideal size for the formal living room is often dictated on how you want to plan the sitting locations. A living room/space of around 7.6×6.1m (46.36m²) seems to work as an optimum. This is based on a ‘master’ sofa of a typical size of 2.4×0.9m and two secondary sofas measuring approximately 2×0.9m.

Design jaw-dropping kitchens & bathrooms

If you fancy a square kitchen with three sides of units/worktops and a central island, then I would suggest an ideal size of around 4.8×4.2m (20.16m²). This is calculated across the width as 60cm unit/1.2m passing space/1.2m central island/1.2m passing space/60cm unit, which in turn equates to 4.8m. The depth of the space can be slightly less at 4.2m, as the kitchen is more often than not open plan to a breakfast, dining or sitting area. Multiples of kitchen units are typically 60cm or 1.2m, so it makes sense to design your kitchen based on these standard sizes. En suites with a shower, WC and basin should generally be at least 1.8×1.6m (2.88m²), up to an ideal of approximately 2×2.2m (4.4m²) and a family bathroom featuring a shower, bath, WC and basin should be around 2.4x3m (7.2m²) up to an ideal of 3x3m (9m²).

Install walk-in Closets

The abundance of storage space that comes with a walk-in closet makes disorganization seem impossible. But, while it might appear like the tall ceilings and ample storage area would leave little room for clutter, proper organization techniques are still necessary for keeping a walk-in closet mess-free. Use space above the hanging areas for storing purses and folded items. Designate top shelves as overflow storage to stow seldom-used items such as seasonal apparel and luggage. Create a focal point by anchoring the space with a built-in dresser or hutch. Use adjustable hanging rods to double the storage space and keep related items close together. Locate shelving and hanging rods near the door to the closet to create an open feel while entering.