Designing the perfect layout of your new home, an extension or reworking a current home can be difficult. Before the work starts, you need to make sure each room has been carefully thought out for functionality and design. Even the most minor mistakes can result in limited space and storage issues. Here are a few mistakes to avoid when designing your home’s layout.
Bringing the outdoors indoors
If you have magnificent views near your property, you should design your window placement to make the most of these views. Perhaps one side of your property looks out onto a road and another side onto fields. Carefully place the windows so that you bring in the fields and close out the road when entering your home. You should avoid spaces where you spend time looking outside overlooking the street and instead design the layout to make the most of the views. However, it is also essential to get a balance between light and shutting out a bad view. Skylights can be used to add light where you don’t want to frame a road or another unsightly view, such as overlooking neighbours.
Functional
There are many functional aspects of a home that should be designed with your family in mind. Your home layout must be practical; each bedroom needs close access to a bathroom. Your kitchen should also be easily accessible to carry in food from the car but also provide easy access or a space where you can eat outside. If you have children, you should make sure that there are safety measures in place on areas such as balconies or stairs, which can cause a hazard. Design spaces where children can play and other spaces where the adults can unwind and relax. A completely modern open plan layout is attractive, but it must also be functional, and when children's toys and messes get added, often open, planned houses can lack storage space.
Staircase
The staircase is an integral part of any two or three-storey building; it should be placed in a convenient location that does not impact the functionality or space of any other room. For example, a staircase should be at the side of a room or between an open living room to create a feeling of separation between two rooms. Choosing the right type of staircase is also important. Staircases are a critical design element that can transform your home, creating a focal point and additional light and space. A cantilever staircase looks modern and works well in small spaces; it opens up a hallway and is a central focal design feature. However, this staircase might not be suitable for families as it has no railing or safety features. The location and design of the staircase should strike a balance between style and functionality.
Furniture placement
Furniture placement can often be overlooked when designing the layout of a home. The size of your furniture needs to be factored in so you can leave enough space for it to fit. Radiator and window positions should be considered along with furniture placement to make sure there is enough free wall space for freestanding wardrobes, sofas, and other furniture to be positioned without blocking the light from the windows or the heat from the radiators. Light can also cause glare when relaxing and watching television; the location of the television should be factored into the consideration of the window placement.
There are a lot of mistakes that can be made when designing the layout of a home. There are so many factors to balance. A professional architect or specialist home design planner can help you avoid common mistakes and create a great layout that provides all the functionality you need. The layout of your home should be something you invest in getting right the first time; fixing problems later down the road can be costly and result in work that could have been avoided. Always go over the layout of your home several times before the work starts to make sure you are completely satisfied that everything has been considered and there are no obvious issues or design flaws. If you have designed the layout yourself, run it past a professional in case you have missed any issues.
No comments yet