Step one: Creating a floor plan

Step One: Creating a Floor Plan

As I do in all of my projects, we will be starting with the floor plan. This enables us to work out exactly what we can fit into the room, and to ascertain the layout that will work best.

• Start by scaling in the biggest possible rug that will fit in the space, and make a note of the measurements. You can then give these to a rug dealer, who will be able to give you different options to choose from based on the size you require.

• Next, you can begin to layer on the furniture. I use a furniture stencil to make sure I am drawing to scale – they might not be exactly the right measurements, but they represent standard sizing and will be pretty close.

• Always draw in pencil so that you can easily erase and play around with different arrangements. A design will always evolve, so it's best to make sure you can edit your plan right up until installation.

• Be guided by the architecture of a room: the fireplace in this living room guided me to introduce a large sofa opposite to balance it.

• Include a mix of different types of seating: upholstered, wooden, lacquered and sculptural. Each seating element should be partnered with a light source, so make sure to accommodate space for side tables.

• Creating symmetry within a scheme is good practice and visually necessary, but I also like to throw things a little off balance with mismatching pairs to create interest.

• Consider how you will journey through a room, and where you need to keep passageways clear.

Sourcebook

Furniture stencil for drawing floor plans

Your Assignment

Follow along with me as I take you through this case study. You might have an upcoming project or room you want to redecorate, in which case you can use this process to get you started. If not, you can still follow along by setting yourself a hypothetical project or dream brief. Begin by drawing up your floor plan, taking into account my tips and tricks from this lesson.