What Is a Floor Plan – Definition, Design and Types

Whether you want to sell your home, do some improvements, make design changes, do interior decorating or create a new home for yourself or others, planning is necessary. That is why you will need a floor plan.

3 Key Takeaways

1. Floor plan is a technical scale drawing that illustrates property House/Building layout from above. Depending on your needs, floor plans can include a variety of things.
2. A good floor plan has many benefits, the main ones are competitiveness in a demanding market, saving time and money, and turning your vision into reality.
3. Two main types of floor plans are 2D and 3D diagrams. There are other plans that are similar to floor plans.
4. Floor plan is also called Building plan.

Floor plan – meaning

The easiest way to define a floor plan is that it is a scale drawing that shows the layout of your House/Building, viewed from above. Floor plans (sometimes called house plans) are essential in architecture and building designs. They visually represent the relationship between rooms, furniture layout and will help you understand how the space works.

Floor plans illustrate the location of walls, doors, windows, stairs, installations and every other physical feature that is a part of the space.

What is the purpose of a floor plan?

Since the floor plan provides you with a bird’s-eye view of the House/Building, you can use it for many different purposes. Some of the main ones are:

1. Visual representation – If you are planning to build your dream home, your Pinterest board is probably already filled with different ideas and designs. In order to make a dream a reality, you will need a proper plan. That is why house plans are important. Floor plans are there to ensure that your vision will come true.
2. Market demands – On the other hand, if you are planning on selling your property, a floor plan can give you an advantage in a competitive market. A survey by Zillow – consumer housing trends report shows that 80% of buyers will view the home if the listing includes a floor plan. Also in their survey of sellers, 76% of them said that including a floor plan in their listing was a highly important characteristic.
3. Permits – The primary building plan for permits is a site plan, additional plans, as a floor plan may be necessary. If there is a requirement for each room to be drawn and marked, with exact measurements, that means you need a custom floor plan.
4. The perfect layout – Floor plans are drawn to scale, meaning you will know the exact measurements of the furniture you will need. With the floor plan you will never have a problem with bare or over cramped rooms, because you can make every decision in advance and see how it will look. This can save you time and money.

With these points in mind, let’s see what the floor plan contains.

What is included in floor plans?

Every simple floor plan will illustrate:

1. Walls
2. Windows
3. Stairs
4. Doors
5. Room layouts

Detailed floor plans will also include:

1. HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
2. Plumbing and electrical systems
3. Additional features (Everything that you need for interior planning can be included in a floor plan. From build-in appliances to plant placement on your terrace.).

Depending on your needs and wishes, the floor plan will include everything that is necessary. If you are uncertain if you will be able to interpret everything that is illustrated on a floor plan, check out our article on reading and understanding elements of a house plan.

Now let’s explore different types of floor plans.

Types of house plans

There are two main types of floor plans, 2D and 3D floor plans. A 2D floor plan can be a sketch or a computer drawing. 2D means that a house plan is “flat”, there are only 2 dimensions, length and width. On the other hand, a 3D floor plan is a diagram that provides you with a detailed illustration of a home layout.

Depending on your needs, you can choose between a simple 2D floor plan, or a more complex 3D floor plan.

Additionally, there are some plans that are similar to floor plans, but not quite the same, so let’s find out more about that.

Blueprint vs floor plan – The main difference

Floor plans and blueprints are similar, but there are differences between them. Blueprint is a technical drawing. In the past these plans had a blue background and white lines, therefore the name blueprint. Although they are no longer blue, the name stayed.

Both floor plan and blueprint are scaled drawings that depict the House/Building from above. But blueprints will include foundation and elevations, which is not common for floor plans. Also, blueprints are usually prepared by an architect or an engineer.

Feng shui floor plan – Create the perfect flow for your home

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice. The idea is to create a harmonious space that can offer you balance and tranquility. The practice is used in a way that creates a natural flow in the space where you live or work. Since this flow is created by different placement of furniture or objects, floor plans can help you with that.

7 tips for a good Feng shui house plan are:

1. The entrance should be spacious, there shouldn’t be other doors or windows directly across your entrance. Entry shouldn’t face the staircase.
2. Ideally, spaces where the family spends time together, such as the living room and kitchen, should be near the entrance.
3. Spaces that are private, such as bedrooms, should be placed further back in your home. The reason is not only privacy, but also safety.
4. If your home has two stories, the main bedroom shouldn’t be placed above the garage, but above calmer rooms, such as study room, office or family spaces.
5. Oven, kitchen sink and fridge should create a triangle. This will allow a natural flow.
6. Ensure that air and light are coming in your space.
7. If you can, avoid spiral stairs. They are disorienting, and can create a bad flow.

Ideal house layout design

Choosing a right floor plan depends on several aspects. In order to create a space that meets your desires, you should think about few factors:

• Budget (Cost to build a house)
• Property size
• Location
• Lifestyle
• Comfort

In order to get a perfect product you have to take these factors into consideration. An ideal layout is different for everyone. Professionals that work at Get a site plan will help you create the best home layout design for yourself.

Customize your home with a Floor plan

If you are planning to make any changes to your existing House/Building, or you want to make something completely new, our team of experts is here to assist you. You can get a quote for your floor plan or you can contact us if you have any additional questions.

Credits:

• featured image – freepik photo, author: wayhomestudio (link)
• freepik photo 1, author: wayhomestudio (link)