Whether you’re looking to design a new house or wanting to play with the furniture layout in your current house, creating room layouts is a fun thing to do and an important step in understanding the space you live in and how to work in it.
Drawing Room Plans – The Basics
Drawing room layouts yourself is an easy and effective way to study different options. If you can underline a word on a piece of paper you can create a room layout.
All you really need is graph paper, a pencil or pen, and scissors or tracing paper depending on how you’ll do your study.
Graph paper is great because it gives you a guide for measurement. You can make each square a given size such as number of inches or number of feet, or number of centimeters using the metric scale.
It really doesn’t need to be any fancier than this.
A sheet of grid paper was used beneath to guide in drawing the plan and furniture to the right size.
You can also use a ruler to measure. For an example, drawing a plan where each grid square is 1/4 inch in size, you can use that square as a foot and use each 1/4 inch on the ruler to represent the foot. Most rulers break down the quarter inch by 4 increments of 1/16 inch each, so for 1/4″ = 1 foot each a 16th of an inch would equal 3 inches, since 12 inches (the foot) divided by 4 increments gives you 3 inches.
If you’re creating a plan of an existing room you’ll need a tape measure or laser measure to determine the actual length and width of your room from wall to wall and locate and measure the widths of doors, windows, fireplaces, etc. You’ll use that information to draw the plan.
If your wanting to design a new house, create the plans based upon your desired furniture and the preferred layout in each space before figuring out where to place the outline of the room. This will make sure the room is sized to what you want rather than presuming a size that might not get you what you want.
Getting to know your furniture
Let’s start with furniture. If you’re working on your existing house you’ll need to measure the overall horizontal lengths on both sides of each piece of furniture that sits on the floor. While you do this create a simple sketch of each piece then mark the number of inches (centimeters) of each side.
If your planning rooms for a new house you’ll do the same for any existing furniture you’ll use there. If you’re wanting any new furniture do some research to find what you generally want and use the size of those pieces as your guide.
You now have two methods you can use for playing with furniture layouts. Some people like to create paper cutouts of each piece of furniture at the same scale the room plan was drawn and then place them in various ways to find the layout they want. You can use your phone camera to take photos of each option so you have a record or each and plan options to review.
Other people would rather draw. To do that you should first create on a separate piece of grid paper diagrams of each furniture piece to the same scale as the room you drew. You can use this as a guide to drawing furniture arrangement options, each option on a separate sheet of grid paper with a room plan on it. An easy way to create multiple sheets of the same room plan is to scan one plan and then print out however many copies you want.
Some people will find it beneficial to obtain rolls of tracing paper to draw options over the base grid sheet. This is a quick and easy way to create options. You can do a quick trace of the plan on the grid paper onto the tracing paper and then use your furniture diagrams on the separate sheet to sketch the various options.
Determining room circulation requirements and furniture clearances
Two of the most important things to know when creating your room layouts is circulation into and around the room and the clearances you’ll need between the furniture, walls, and other elements in order to easily access the furniture.
Though this sounds intuitive its actually a challenge for many people since they have a hard time visualizing on a plan what they actually need for those. Some of the basics are outlined below:
- Door widths: Doors that open into a room should be at least 32 inches wide, 36 inches wide if wheelchair access will be anticipated or required. Double doors used for room access should use 32 inch door leafs minimum for a total minimum width of 64 inches for the double doors.
- Openings in a wall between rooms: Openings between rooms should be at least 36 inches so as not to seem too narrow. Wider openings such as 48 or 60 inches in width are preferred if the room sizes are larger, which keeps a more open feel between rooms and space, and even wider openings should be used if the rooms and spaces are really large.
- Circulation around seating groups: To circulate around a seating group you should have an absolute minimum of 30 inches clear, but 36 inches is preferable. Larger rooms can use even wider circulation width, 42 to 48 inches.
- Seating group access: To access a seating group you should have at least 30 inches for primary access and no less than 20 inches for secondary access.
- Coffee table placement: Coffee tables should be 18 inches from seating to be easily accessible to set drinks on them.
- Bed access: Access to either side of a bed should be 24 inches minimum, 30 inches preferred.
- Bedroom Circulation: Circulation around a bedroom should be 30 inches minimum, 36 inches preferred. You should have 42 to 48 inches to access any furniture pieces with drawers or doors or at a desk.
- Home offices: Desks should be placed such that the desk chair has 42 inches minimum between the desk and any wall or furniture piece, 48 inches preferred. Circulation and access is the same as for seating groups and you should have 42 to 48 inches when accessing furniture pieces with drawers or doors.
- Sofa beds: Sofa beds should be placed such that only a coffee table should have to be moved out of the way. Clearances around the bed should be the same as for bedrooms.
- Kitchens: The absolute minimum distance between cabinets and an island is 42 inches. However, strive for at least 48 inches. Galley kitchens should strive for 48 to 60 inches.
- Dining: Dining tables and the seating side of kitchen islands should have at minimum 36 inches clearance around them, 42 to 48 inches preferred. Have 42 to 48 inches to access furniture pieces with drawers or doors. Primary circulation through a dining room or along the island should be at least 60 inches in width between surfaces.
- Laundry: Washing machines and clothes dryers should have at least 48 inches of clearance to access them, 60 inches preferred.
- Bathrooms: Vanities and sinks should have at least 36 inches of floor clearance in front of them, 42 to 48 inches preferred. Toilets should have at least 60 inches from the back wall to the opposite wall, and 36 to 42 inches in width. Areas next to tubs should be at least 42 inches, 48 inches preferred, to allow for drying off. Showers with doors that swing out should have at least 48 inches clear in front, 60 inches preferred.
- Garages: Cars parked in a garage should have circulation around them of 36 inches minimum, 42 to 48 inches preferred. The space between cars can be 30 inches, but 36 inches is preferred.
Understanding different rooms and their uses
Beyond the clearances mentioned above, each room has certain uses and requirements that demand additional consideration. Let’s look at those.
Living Spaces
Living spaces are the day-to-day rooms where people spend the bulk of their time visiting with family and friends, watching TV or movies, and playing games. Some important considerations and requirements:
- Primary circulation through the house should never pass through the center of the living space or diagonally across the living space. Primary circulation can occur along one side of the living space.
- Seating groups should be placed such that they can be accessed from at least two sides. Avoid “dead end” living spaces or seating groups.
- Multiple uses in a living space should be zoned. Game tables and dining tables should be separate from the seating group and placed far enough apart to allow for comfortable circulation between them, at least 48 inches apart but 60 inches preferred.
Dining Spaces
Formal dining rooms are becoming rarer as the living spaces now tend to incorporate the dining table. If you plan to have a formal dining room be sure to provide appropriate access so that entering the room is comfortable and gracious, flowing nicely from the entry and living spaces, and placed adjacent to or nearby the kitchen.
Kitchens
Kitchens are the workhorse of the house and have also become a popular room to hang out in. Make sure your kitchen is designed for easy access, preferably from at least two directions, and spacious enough for the number of people you expect to be in the kitchen most of the time you’ll be in there.
Besides having an island with bar seating, consider having an adjacent small seating area or breakfast table that feels to be part of the kitchen space itself.
Kitchens are often a component of a “great room” which also incorporates the family seating and dining areas. However, consideration should be given to the noise generated by a kitchen. It might make sense to have the kitchen separate from the living space to minimize noise, and possibly have the ability to close it off entirely when cooking.
Laundry
Laundry is another one of those workhorse spaces of the house. Having children in the house requires lots of laundry so you should plan for the use you anticipate.
Besides the washer and dryer it’s beneficial to have some counter space and a large sink for soaking and rinsing clothes. Space to store detergents and various other items should be provided in the laundry area. Having a counter across from the machines is beneficial, using it to pile and sort clothes before washing and providing a comfortable place to fold clean laundry.
Larger laundry spaces should also incorporate areas for ironing clothes and to hang clothes for drip-drying.
Another consideration, though not specifically part of room diagramming, is to have windows in the room if you’re to spend time in the laundry room folding and ironing clothes.
Bathrooms
Though bathrooms seam pretty straightforward, you need to consider several things.
Shared bathrooms should preferably have vanities with sinks placed such that they can be accessed while someone else is bathing/showering or using the toilet. This would require compartmentalization into separate rooms.
Bathtubs and showers should have plenty of clearance in front of them to dry off comfortably, and be sure to provide adjacent wall space for towel rods.
The ‘common’ bathroom must have a tub regardless of whether there’s a tub in the master bathroom. This tub can incorporate a shower function or the shower can be separate.
Toilets should be in a separate room next to the vanity area when possible and big enough to incorporate a small sink to wash hands before exiting if space allows.
Bedrooms
Besides the bed, be sure to have enough room width to allow for nightstands to both sides of the bed.
Clothes storage is important. Make sure adequate closet space is provided and nearby space is available for dressers or a chest of drawers.
If possible provide space for a comfortable reading chair. Space for a small desk is a nice thing to have.
Master/Owner Suites
Bedrooms for the adults has grown from just a place to sleep to all-out living experiences of their own. Be sure to plan for what you need with some allowance for some nicer things if you can afford it.
Try to make the main room large enough for the bed and nightstands along with a dressing space around any dresser. A bench is a great thing to have at the foot of the bed and can provide storage for extra blankets if you want.
Add a comfortable seating area with one or two chairs and side table to provide a retreat/relaxation space.
The en-suite bathroom should be sized for two people to use comfortably and simultaneously.
Two sinks in a common vanity is common, and separate vanities with sinks are nice to have. Consider a comfortable makeup vanity space separate from the sink area. Make sure you have large mirrors and good lighting at the vanities.
A separate toilet room is a great thing to have and separate his-and-hers toilet rooms are a great luxury. A large tub and separate shower have become commonplace, though bathtubs are not used that often and a master bath with only a shower is OK.
Master suites often incorporate large walk-in closets, often two as a his-and-hers setup. Incorporating custom island units with drawers and customized units for clothes and shoes has become common, transforming these closets into rooms in there own right. If you’re going for luxury you can also incorporate seating in the dressing area. Be sure to provide wall space for a full-length mirror in the dressing area.
Having sizable reach-in closets accessed from the bedroom with enough space in front of them for comfortable dressing can be done as an alternative to walk-ins. This is one way to save on square footage as the dressing space in the room does double-duty as circulation space, whereas walk-in closets require additional circulation space to access the clothes.
Home Offices
A home office, or even two, has become common especially given the ubiquitous use of computers and the ever more common trend of working from home. These rooms can be small spaces or larger rooms that allow for more comfort.
These rooms should have enough desk space to incorporate a keyboard and one or two large monitors, along with space for a printer and/or a scanner. Be sure to incorporate any storage you need for books, printing paper, and anything else you expect to keep in there.
Larger offices can incorporate independent seating such as a reading chair or a sofa to allow the room to be used as a peaceful getaway even when your not working at the desk. The same clearance requirements for furniture should be used in this room.
Specialty rooms
Specialty rooms can include a wide array of spaces, from rec rooms, play rooms, workshops, hobby rooms, home gyms, etc. Be sure you can afford such independent spaces. However, given that most of these rooms are rarely used often or consistently, consider whether any of these uses could be incorporated into your day-to-day spaces.
Be sure to research any clearances that would be needed for items that’ll go into these spaces. These items often have specialty equipment or unique requirements beyond those mentioned in this article.
Storage
Storage in our homes is one thing we always seem to be short of. As one friend of mine told me, each time his family gets a bigger home the more stuff they accumulate to fill up the available storage.
Something to strongly consider if your planning a new house is how much storage you actually need as opposed to what you think you want. Clearing out all of your current junk before you start planning is a good step to take, as this will give you a better sense of what you’ll actually need in the new place.
Since bulk purchasing has become more common be sure to plan for the items you purchase and what type of storage is best. Large pantries with both shallow and deep shelves is something nice to have, as is a general bulk storage room.
Garages
Garages have become ever bigger, and they’ve often grown to accommodate more then two cars. Be sure to account for what you need to park in the garage, including not just cars but things such as bicycles, motorbikes, ATV’s, and similar items.
Garages can also double as workrooms with workbenches and equipment that need there own floor space and clearances.
Garages are also a great place to store things, whether in storage lockers of on storage shelves. These could be used in place of a separate bulk storage room. Be sure to account for all items you’ll store in there and the floor space they require.
Follow-up
Creating room plans is a great way to start thinking about what you want and what you actually need, whether you’re doing it for a new house or to rework furniture in your current house. The best advice I can give you is to take stock of everything you have, measure what you need, and then have fun playing!
All photos and graphic images are by Cayl Hollis unless otherwise noted.
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