“The spaces we live in shape our life,” says renowned environmental psychologist Lilly Bernheimer in her book titled The Shaping of Us: How Everyday Spaces Structure Our Lives, Behaviour, and Well-Being. The book reflects the powerful impact of design on our feelings, behaviours, and identities. Design, according to Bernheimer, scripts our life. And of course, the most crucial design is the one we inhabit, our home. So, it is key that we know how to judge a good floor plan– the blueprint of our haven. This is a guide to the dream house layout that shapes your perfect story. This also offers insights into what makes a good floor plan in a tropical place like Goa
Before we dive into specifics, let’s take a minute to understand what a floor plan is and how to read one effectively.
What is a Floor Plan? (How to read symbols)
A floor plan is a 2D bird’s-eye view of the physical structure that outlines in detail the architectural and functional features of a room, a floor, or a building. It acts as a visual map of how a space is utilised in a house.
It indicates the position of doors (straight lines with arcs), walls (solid lines), windows (rectangles), stairs (series of lines and an arrow), utilities, and fixtures. Apart from this, the floor plan also gives an overview of the private spaces (bedrooms, bathrooms), social spaces (hall, dining room), and service areas (kitchen, laundry room, garage). The first step in judging a good layout is understanding the symbols used in a floor plan.
Now that we have covered the basics of a floor plan, let’s dive into the key features that make a good house layout.
1. PURPOSE AND PERSONALITY
Are you looking for a spacious retreat or a cosy corner?
Do you plan to host many guests, or do you prefer a quiet evening?
Each of these needs will influence the floor plan you choose.
To choose a good floor plan, you must first check if it aligns with your purpose and personality. It is important to determine your lifestyle to judge an effective design.
For instance, are you someone who loves to host friends and family?
If so, you would appreciate an open layout with larger social areas particularly in Goa— a place that brings in a lot of tourists and guests. An open design that merges the dining and living area with the kitchen would allow effortless socialising over food and drinks.
Similarly, if the intent is to have a home office, you would prefer a plan that offers privacy, natural light, and a quiet space.
Hence, true to the words of the famous modern architect Luis Sullivan, “form ever follows function.” You can work out the purpose and choose the floor plan that fits.
2. FLOW AND FUNCTION
Once the personality and purpose are decided, you can move to the next important factor— the flow of the house. Flow refers to the seamless transition between two rooms, like the kitchen and the dining room. Ideally, they should be easy to access and next to each other. It would also mean that bedrooms and bathrooms are private and secluded.
Now, imagine a party. You are talking to a friend sitting across the sofa, placed against the wall. But the conversation is repeatedly interrupted because people keep walking between the seats to move around the room. This is an example of bad flow. A poor plan will have passages that cut across rooms, which create dead zones and chaotic movement patterns.
So, what is a good flow in a house layout?
A good floor plan will direct traffic around the edges and corners of a room. This ensures that the centre is available for decor and functionality. To visualise, think of passages that don’t cut across seating or working areas and furniture arranged in groups to facilitate conversations.
In short, you could say that flow is a choreography that designs your movement within a space. The smoother the flow, the easier you move. So, look out for invisible passages! These sneaky design flaws are easy to miss and make the space inefficient.
3. LIGHT AND LOCATION
Imagine waking to the gentle morning breeze, sunlit rooms, and watching the town come to life. That’s what a great house layout in a perfect spot offers.
A good floor plan will have strategic window placement and cross-ventilation. Large windows, skylights, and open areas allow natural light to flood the space. It reduces energy cost and makes for a pleasant ambience. To ensure light flow, the floor plan must also have a proper location.
Look at the pictures below.
Picture A shows that despite having windows facing west, the location of the coloured house adjacent to another house disrupts the flow of natural light. Picture B shows a better layout for both houses without blocking sunlight. So, remember to look at the bigger picture while choosing a good floor plan for you.
4. OPEN VS CLOSED DEBATE
Before we get into the debate, let’s get the definitions out of the way.
An open layout plan is one in which areas are not closed off by a wall. In an open design, the existing partitions would be movable, like a sliding door.
The closed style is the traditional layout where each room is sectioned off by a wall.
So, how do you decide what’s a good floor plan for you?
The first way to settle this debate would be the evaluation of personality and purpose we discussed earlier. The second way to find an answer is to consider the style of Charles Correa, the architect of Goa’s very own Kala Academy. He was a prominent advocate of vernacular design where form follows climate. For instance, a floor plan with poor ventilation will lead to discomfort in humid places like Goa. Hence, an open layout Goan home will recreate the breezy ambience of the coast within your home.
5. SEAL THE DEAL WITH STORAGE
How often have you struggled to find a space for your Amazon boxes or cleaning supplies?
Yes, we have all been there
Storage is an often-overlooked aspect in choosing a home. However, it is one of the most crucial criteria in choosing a good floor plan. Storage space ensures that a home is clutter-free and organised.
It is also important to ensure that storage styles and materials are suitable for the weather conditions of the area. For example, in a humid climate like Goa, poorly ventilated overhead or wall-mounted storage fixtures would drastically increase the chances of mould, mildew, and odours.
For the Goan monsoons, a modular storage and closed cabinets with proper ventilation would be suitable. A good floor plan with adequate storage space is a functional addition to your home. Also, a clutter-free space, particularly in Goa, will be a positive step towards your mental well-being
In summary, choosing a good floor plan involves a perfect balance of taste, function and design. With these tips in mind, let your dream home come to life— contact us at Satt Adhar to learn more.
