Aspiring homeowners often make mistakes when attempting to design the best floor plan for their needs. Whether you are designing a floor plan on your own or with an architect, keep these floor planning tips in mind.

Consider your lifestyle before designing a floor plan.

When designing your own floor plan, consider the lifestyle of you and your family first. Does an open floor plan suit your lifestyle? Or does the privacy of individual rooms better suit your family? Consider what you are accustomed to, and what would constitute a comfortable home for you and your family.

Learn to Understand Floor Plan Drawings.

Whether you are designing the floor plan yourself, or reviewing a floor plan designed by someone else, you will need to understand the drawings. Many will find floor plan drawings are difficult to understand, but the skill can be easily attained. Take some time to learn the language, so that any floor plan you design can be easily executed by your contractors and you understand exactly what is expected. 

Make Sure You Have Enough Room.

While simple living and tiny houses are popular right now, you need to have a realistic amount of space to comfortably live and accommodate normal furniture. Measure the furniture you already have, then add space to walk around before finalizing\ any floor plans.

Make Sure Architectural Details Won’t Cost You in the Future.

Details such as large picture windows, vault ceilings, and skylights can have a significant impact on the cost of heating and cooling your home. Consider the cost of running your home before committing to a floor plan.

Plan for Safety.

Safety should always come first. Design features such as stairs and balconies must have railings, and expansive panels of glass may look great, but may pose a danger for those with small children, or even a large active dog.

Design Floor Plans With Your Property in Mind.

Don’t forget about the property surrounding your home. Plan the windows for the best views, and consider the orientation of the property. Large windows facing south or west can create an unwanted heat gain in the summer. Be sure both the interior and exterior will fit in with your property’s location.

Design Your Floor Plan to Fit Your Current Budget

Plan your home to fit your current budget, that way you will feel comfortable and not financially strained. Remember, you can always upgrade many features of your home as your budget increases.