Starting the planning process for you new home, addition, or renovation can be very intimidating. However, breaking the process down into a step-by-step process and with some professional help the process can be manageable and even enjoyable. Below is a description of step one through three.
1. Write a list of all the rooms you would like to have in your new home, including storage and utility rooms. It is best to do this on a piece of paper. Leave some space on your paper below each room to add things later.
Rooms to consider: - Bedroom/s
- Kitchen and Pantry
- Bathroom/s and Powder-rooms
- Dining Room
- Living Room and Family Room
- Office / Home-office / Study
- Entry / Mudroom / Vestibule
- Craft-room / Games room / Play room / Music room / etc.
- Utility room / laundry room
- Storage room/s
- Stairs
- Garage / Workshop
- Other: Home gym, home theater, in-law suite, library, pool, sun-room, hobby room, wine cellar, etc.
2. Once your list is complete, consider each room individually. Take the time to really imagine that room and what you would like to have in it. Under each room listed, write a list of pieces of furniture and or equipment that you would like in each room. Consider how much space is required for the activities you are planning for each room and note those as well.
Items to consider for each room:
- Bedroom/s - Beds, night tables, dressers, closets, seating, and more
- Kitchen and Pantry - Appliances large and small, pantry cabinet or walk-in pantry, island, seating
- Bathroom/s and Powder-rooms - Showers, bath-tubs, vanities, number of sinks, linen tower
- Dining Room - Size of dining table, number of chairs, additional furniture
- Living Room and Family Room - Seating, furniture, fireplace, storage, TV and other equipment
- Office / Home-office / Study - Desk, Seating, Storage, equipment
- Entry / Mudroom / Vestibule - Storage, storage, storage
- Craft-room / Games room / Play room / Music room / etc. - Tables, chairs, equipment, instruments, games, and more
- Utility room - Washer-dryer, water heater, water softener, electric panel, water pump, and more
- Storage room/s - Sports equipment, seasonal decorations, tools
- Stairs - (an average stair for 8' ceilings requires approximately 4' x 13' space) you might need help with this
- Garage / Workshop - Number of cars, space for tools, gardening equipment,
- Other: Home gym, home theater, in-law suite, library, pool, sun-room, hobby room, wine cellar, etc. - Equipment, seating, furniture, storage, and more
3. Draw each room on paper to scale. Graph paper works well for this purpose as each square can be one square foot. Include the furniture you would like in each room in their approximate size. If unsure of sizes, measure your existing furniture and estimate the size of the furniture you would like. You might find that some rooms need to be larger to accommodate the furniture you would like and others can be smaller than you initially planned. This step will help you determine the size each room has to be to hold the furniture and suit the activities you anticipate for each room.
Finally cut-out each room so they can be re-arranged.
Have fun with the first three steps. More to follow next week!