5 Essential Factors for a Functional and Flexible Custom Floor Plan
As an interior designer, there are many areas in which you can specialize, from commercial to residential design. We have been fortunate enough to be involved in both, but nothing brings us more joy than being a partner from the project's inception. We've collaborated with numerous new home builders across the country and local general contractors for remodeling projects. In doing so, we analyze plans before construction to ensure they function seamlessly from an interior perspective. Here are the 5 floor plan attributes we look for in a functional and flexible floor plan…
1. Welcome Indoor-Outdoor Living Spaces
One aspect we consistently encourage people to do is to incorporate outdoor elements into indoor spaces. This doesn’t mean growing a garden in your living room, but rather, opening up the living spaces to the outdoors with tall windows and patio doors anywhere possible. Natural light provides so much value to your home and enhances your mood!
2. Create Practical and Adaptable Multi-Purpose Areas
When analyzing floor plans, we always consider not only how our clients are currently living but also anticipate what the future may hold for them. Will they need a multi-purpose room to serve as a home office by day but a guest room on the weekends? Or perhaps an ensuite to accommodate a parent or kids transitioning from college to the working world.
3. Guide the Eye with an Intentional Focal Point from the Front Door
Site lines are essential, so why shouldn’t they be in a new build? When you look at architecture from the 50s, 60s, and even some of the 70s, it was all about minimal function, with each providing the necessities like the living room, dining area, kitchen, family room, powder room, bedrooms, and at least one full bath. Currently, it's not only about functionality but also how we feel in each space. The foyer is a prime example of a room that needs to deliver that wow factor.
4. Incorporate Well-Thought Privacy Throughout
After the pandemic, we saw a subtle shift in clients’ preferences, moving away from open-concept floor plans. This is mainly due to the amount of people working from home and the challenges associated with sound distribution in an open space. So, considering this new perspective on how we now live and work in our homes, it's even more imperative we strategically keep the private areas away from the common area.
5. Strategic Placement of Laundry Room & Bathrooms
And, of course, we can't forget the importance of the laundry room and bathroom placements in a new build! We thoughtfully consider various factors. For example, if you are a young family, you likely want the laundry in the mud room on the first floor when the kiddos come home from playing outside or sports. But, as we age, carrying heavy laundry baskets downstairs becomes less appealing, making the laundry room near the bedrooms ideal. Speaking of bedrooms, if budget allows, we encourage ensuites and Jack and Jill bathrooms because they give the flexibility of life changes.
Preparing for a new build is overwhelming, but we are here to help. We have plenty of experience in understanding your lifestyles, and more importantly, we can look at a floor plan and foresee how that plan will fit your needs now and in the future. Architects can produce excellent plans, but an interior designer works with an architect to give you the perfect plan.
Ready for a custom floor plan that leaves you speechless (in the best way)? Contact us, and we'd be delighted to help!
Until next time,
Trisha