1. UNDERESTIMATING THE IMPORTANCE OF A HALLWAY
If space allows, creating a separate hallway or entryway area will not only create a more practical space to leave and arrive into the home each day, but these transitional rooms can be a brilliant way to showcase your design style upon entry and create a stylish and welcoming entrance into your home.
2. ALWAYS CONSIDER BEDROOM LOCATION
'Placing bedrooms in locations that are too close to the living areas can result in noise disturbance and make it challenging to relax,' advises Mark Bittoni. When planning the room locations for your home, having adequate space between your sleeping zones and entertaining and kitchen areas will only help to establish a more relaxing space that is set up for sleeping.
3. CREATING ROOMS THAT ARE TOO SMALL OR TOO LARGE
'Scale is a critical piece to consider,' says Mark Bittoni. 'One of the most significant whole house layout mistakes to avoid is creating rooms that are too small or too large. It might seem obvious but small rooms can feel cramped and uninviting, while large rooms can feel cavernous and impersonal. Finding the right balance relative to other adjacencies and function is a subtle yet critical element to a successful floor plan.'
4. NOT CREATING A SENSE OF FLOW
Moving through your home should be a smooth and seamless experience. Having the right room locations and using home decor ideas such as rhythm and repetition where each adjoining room is connected in some way, will work to create a sense of movement and flow.
5. TOO MUCH OPEN-PLAN
Of course, an open-plan layout can work wonderfully in many homes, and it is often a more practical choice for those with families or who love to entertain. As Mark Bittoni says, 'open floor plans create a feeling of spaciousness, and the flow between the various living spaces is smooth and natural.'
6. WRONG WINDOW LOCATIONS
Planning your house layout and window locations according to the placement of the sun will only help you to maximize the amount of natural light that can flood into the space; helping to create a bright and inviting atmosphere.
7. BEAUTIFUL ROOMS LEFT UNUSED
Interior designer and TV host, Breegan Jane, explains how leaving beautiful rooms left unused is one of her biggest whole house layout mistakes.
'I am way more frustrated by a beautiful room that gets unused than an imperfect room that helps you live in your home.
8. NOWHERE FOR GUESTS TO DINE
'It’s true that the modern, on-the-go lifestyle has brought a more casual approach to home living. Spaces previously used as dining rooms may have been converted into a home office or study. While this became necessary as work-life merged, we still need a suitable place for family and friends to gather and socialize over a meal,' says interior designer, Leigh Ann Raines.
9. NOT PLANNING A LAYOUT FOR THE FUTURE
'After you've thought through the spaces you use on a daily basis, it's essential to determine your immediate and future needs, and how to ensure your whole house layout accommodates these functions,' says Jennifer L. Killian Smith.