Creating A Floor Plan

I want to share a side of interior design that’s often overlooked—creating a floor plan and construction detailing. When people think of interior design, they usually imagine furnishings, color palettes, and decor. But the truth is, my work often starts much earlier—sometimes before the first wall is even built.

In many projects, I’m brought in during the very first phase, when the structure is still on paper. One of the first meetings I’ll have with a client is a floorplan review. They’ll show me what they have mapped out—whether it’s an early concept from their builder or an existing layout they want to refine. From there, we dive into how they want to live in the space and how that vision aligns (or doesn’t) with the current architectural plan.

This step is foundational. Creating a floor plan that reflects your lifestyle ensures that every square foot of your home is intentional. It’s not just about where the sofa will go; it’s about flow, function, and how the space will serve you every day. I ask questions about how the family entertains, who cooks, whether they work from home, and even how they prefer to relax—because all of that influences how the layout should feel.

As an experienced designer, I also bring a technical lens to this process. I work closely with architects and builders to refine dimensions, tweak room relationships, and suggest subtle changes—like adjusting window placement for better light or adding a built-in that supports both function and style.

To me, creating a floor plan is like crafting the DNA of the home. It’s where beauty meets purpose. And when you get that part right, every layer that follows—furnishings, finishes, lighting—feels effortless.

Now, there’s a lot of things you need to consider when it comes to floor plans and construction detailing but your biggest concern should always be their budget. Are you able to make any changes that are more cost-effective?

For example, a client of mine recently brought me a floor plan she had picked out for her new home. One of the first things I changed was the garage door. You probably wouldn’t normally think about it, but by changing which wall the garage door was one greatly decreased the amount of cement she would need for her home, thus saving her money.

For other clients, they may hire me when they’re first moving into a new space. They may want some new furniture to go along with their new space, and maybe they got stuck with a floor plan that they’re not too fond of. That’s where I come in. I’ll take a look at the place and speak with them, understand their sense of style, what they want to feel when they step into their new space and make any changes to their existing floor plan that will allow for that to happen.

Whichever process I go through with a client, these first meetings are always my favorite. It’s a great way to collaborate on making their dream home a reality!

Thanks for reading! Come back next Sunday to read my next blog post!

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