Understanding how a house design takes shape is key to developing a great home design. Before any house floor plans are to be formulated, the groundwork must be done. The groundwork here pertains to the prep work that is required long before any sketches or drawings are first attempted. The designer must consider the architectural style, home orientation for passive solar, design aesthetics (symmetry and proportion), budget, and inhabitants when they prepare to design a new residence. Establishing these principles are essential to home design and planning. The designer can move ahead with the actual design process once the aforementioned are addressed.
Home Design and Planning strategy
The process of home design and planning of a house plan is a calculated one. It should combine the wants and needs of the future occupants in a methodical way as the building design progresses. Think of it as a puzzle with all of the pieces spread out and you are strategically matching parts that have complementary shapes. Most people would group the pieces with similar colors and begin to assemble the puzzle in small sections. Eventually you combine all sections to create the full picture. That is the same mindset that can bring a home design together.
One of the best ways to accomplish this is to divide the house floor plan into specific areas of use. By doing so, you will be able to design areas of the home in small sections. This makes the overall design easy to pull together to make a complete home. It also provides an easy way to calculate the square footage of the house as you design.
Divide the Design into Zones
Dividing a building into functional areas will vary depending on the type of building you are designing. The area planning of a residence will generally involve three major zones. These zones include the living area, service area, and sleeping area. Within these areas you will subdivide into specific rooms unique to each zone. This enables the designer to piece the house together to create a full picture once the design is complete. To do this, the designer must be knowledgeable of room placement, their function, and the relationship between the spaces of the home. This will help the areas blend together naturally. This in turn helps to create a free-flowing house plan traffic pattern within the entire design.
Spaces Associated with Each Zone
Living Areas
These parts of the home are generally used by each inhabitant. It where the family gather to relax, entertain, dine, and live. In fact, these are the rooms most guest will encounter. Plan for the space to be inviting and comfortable. The living areas include the following:
- Breakfast nook/ Alcove
- Dining room
- Family room
- Keeping room (also known as a Hearth room)
- Living room
- Patio
- Porch and deck
- Recreation room (aka, Game room or Entertainment room)
- Study/ Office
More specific rooms that are not typical of a standard home include a library, music room, or hobby room.
Service Areas
These parts of the house are heavily relied upon by the living and sleeping areas. Planning of these rooms should be of the utmost efficiency to handle heavy traffic. The service areas include the following:
Garage or Carport
Kitchen
Mudroom
Utility room (also referred to as the Laundry room)
Storage
Sleeping Areas
A third of our day is spent in this part of the house at minimum. These rooms should be planned for comfort and ideally located in the quiet part of the house, away from the more active living areas. The sleeping areas include the following:
- Bathrooms
- Bedrooms
So there you have it, the strategy of home design and planning. Following these guideline will have you designing your dream home in no time.