HOW TO DRAW A FLOOR PLAN

As a Design Consultant, there have been occasions where my clients have had to provide the measurements of their space to me either because the location was not local or it was eDesign project.

Here is a handy guideline to follow when taking measurements for your next design project.

The best way to start the process of a room makeover is with a drawing to scale of your room so you can plan out how you would like to rearrange the furniture.

A road map as Professor Scarpelli called it while in design school.

Room Measurement Basics

• Be sure your metal tape measure is at least 25 ft. Fifty feet is better. This size should allow you to measure the total width and length of the room.

• It’s always a good idea to have a friend help you measure. The measurement will be more accurate when two can hold the tape straight.

• You can also use a laser measure tool but you will need the tape measure for shorter areas as well.

Bosch GLM 20 Compact Blaze 65′ Laser Distance Measure

 

 

To get started a quick sketch does the trick if you do not have printed floor plans of your space! All of this information will help to create a design with pieces that fit perfectly into your space.

1. Step one is to draw a sketch on graph or blank paper of all architectural details of your space. This includes windows, doorways, fireplace, openings, etc. This doesn’t need to be a work of art or perfectly to scale. You can draw it in pencil, so you can easily erase! It’s more important your measurements are accurate. (see below)

2. Using a tape measure, measure along the baseboard the length of one wall, from one corner of the room to another. Start by measuring the overall LENGTH and WIDTH of the room. We will add in smaller measurements afterward. The smaller measurements will add up to our overall width and length

3. Measure the remaining walls the same way you measured the first. Most rooms have four walls, but if you’re measuring an L-shaped room, you have more to measure. Be sure to include every wall in your sketch!

4. Measure the room’s doorways and other entries. Note whether the door opens into or out of the room. Don’t forget to measure the distances of all openings to hallways and open archways!

5. Measure the height of the room from floor to ceiling, and include heights of key openings too if they will affect the layout.

6. Determine the size of the windows by measuring the window frame from outside edge to outside edge. Be sure to include the measurement from the window (on each side) to the corner of the wall (or next window or opening).

7. Measure any and all architectural features, including fireplaces, brackets, shelves, and any other built-in features. Note + measure the height and width of anything you’ll need to workaround.

• Windows ( width, height and height from the floor)

• Doors ( door width and height)

• Outlets and Switches

• Air ReturnsLight Fixtures

• Ceiling Height

8. Note where heat and air conditioning ducts, radiators, coverings for electric wires and plumbing pipes, and exposed pipes are located. (This step is optional, but encouraged if there are any “obstacles” that could affect the design.)

9. If you are moving onto eDesign or working with a designer you can take a picture of the measurement floor plan or scan it to email or share the measurements.

If you are computer savvy you can go to the ICOVIA website and create an image of your floor plan as shown below. Icovia Code: 38c3232214817b5ee

Once the measurements are in you can then use the populated furniture to plan your space to scale.

Here is a list of helpful tips to remember as you plan out your space:

• Give 30″ to 36″ of a walkway between large furniture pieces (if your living room allows for it) if not then at least 18″-24″.

• Make sure there is no less than 3.5′ and no more than 10′ of space between seating.

• If possible sofas should never be flush to a wall. Pull it out 3-5″ and give it some breathing room.

• Your coffee table should be at least half the length of your sofa and should be no more than 4″ higher or shorter than the top of your sofa seat cushions.

• 16″ to 18” is the ideal distance between the sofa and coffee table.

• Your area rug should be large enough for at least the front legs of the sofa and all chairs to rest on top of it.

• Side tables should be no deeper than the depth of sofa and keep your side table close enough to set down a drink with ease. Which is typically 2-3″ from the height of the arm.

• Accent Chairs should have around 42” (size of your room willing) between a set of living room accent chairs to be able to fit a small table in the middle. For a smaller room just place chairs side by side.

• When pairing a sofa and accent chairs choose seat heights that are within 4″ of each other.

• Make sure your console is the same height or a few inches shorter than the back of your sofa. It should also ideally have about 6″ of space on either end.

• The distance between TV and sofa should be about 7′ and an optimal height for the center of the screen is 30 inches above the lowest seat height in the room.

• NOTE: Any furniture you buy should have some clearance around it and should be at least 4 inches less than the passage measurements. This will allow you or the furniture delivery people to move it easily.

This is just a basic guide to get you started in your design planning stage.

If this is just too much for you need of assistance with your next design project or are interested in eDesign reach out HERE.

We’d love to help you get started!

Have an Inspired night full of Unicorns and Rainbows!

xo Nicole