11 Tips for Perfect Floor Plans
2. Before laying out furniture, look for projecting windowsills, and note the location of electrical receptacles, light switches, vents and thermostats.
3. When placing a desk, ask yourself "What do I want to be looking at when I sit there?"
4. When planning an office, first determine whether the occupant's back will be toward the door. Some people feel very strongly about this. Other design decisions will flow from this basic choice.
5. To reduce glare, try to avoid having computer monitors directly facing windows.
6. Leave enough empty space in front of filing cabinets to fully extend the drawer, plus at least 18 additional inches if the drawers will be accessed by a person standing in front of them.
8. The walkway between a piece of furniture and a wall should be at least 30 inches in a residential space (36" is preferred). In a public space it should be at least 36 inches (42" is preferred).
9. To get a feel for the width of a walkway before placing furniture, put a tape line on the floor to see how different dimensions would feel.
10. When placing furniture on a residential plan, remember that most furniture will actually sit 2 or 3 inches from the wall.
11. Don't line all the furniture up along the walls. Break up spaces by placing pieces out in the room. Setting rugs, sofas, or other furniture at angles can help avoid an overly rigid feel.
