If you are building a house or renovating an existing one, ask your architect to design a detailed floor plan for you. This will ensure that the house is perfectly suited to your lifestyle needs and that glitches are avoided during the construction phase.
Factor in the following when you are going through a floor plan:
* Bedrooms: A single-storey house built on a 500 square yard plot should not have more than three or four bedrooms. Bedroom sizes should range between 225 and 250 square feet; ideal dimensions include 14′ × 16′, 15′ × 17′ and 14′ × 18′.
* Open plan living areas: Consider having an open plan living area that integrates the drawing and dining rooms, as well as the kitchen. If an outdoor feature (such as a deck or verandah) is part of this space, it will seem large because it will allow light to seep inside.
* Lawns and courtyards: Try to accommodate two separate ‘green’ areas such as a front lawn and a central courtyard. The lawn should ideally be accessible via the living room, and can be used to entertain, while a central courtyard serves as a more private space and also allows air and light to enter the house. Ensure that all the rooms provide views of the lawn and/or courtyard instead of only the living room.
*Kitchen: If you have a small house, do not try to cram in an open kitchen and a separate grease kitchen; instead opt for one large kitchen. Keep in mind that functionally is of prime importance; adequate with sufficient working space should be available to accommodate appliances with sufficient working space around them. Ensure that the kitchen’s location is such that prevalent winds do not draw fragrances from the kitchen into the other areas of the house.
About Author: Zain Mankani is an architect.