Floor Plans

How to Read

and

Evaluate Them

What do can you learn about a house

from looking at a blue print?

Blue Print Symbols

DW

R W D

Single

Sink

Double

SinkDishwasher Range

with

Oven

Drop-In

Cook top

Upper Cabinet

Lower Cabinet

Refrigerator Trash

CompactorWasher

Dryer

Wall

Oven

Toilets Shower TubLavatory

Sink

Wall

Light Ceiling

Light

Blue Print Symbols

F WHP

TV

FurnaceWater

Heater

Phone TV

Cable

110

Outlet

220

Outlet

Switch

Ceiling

Fan

Fireplace

Stairs

Double

Hung

Window

Sliding

Window

Casement

WindowsBay Window

Blue Print Symbols

Interior

Door Exterior

Door

Pocket DoorBifold Doors

Sliding Door French

Doors

Cased Doorway

No Door

Interior Zones

Living/Social

Sleeping/Private

Service/Work

Living room, dining room,

family/great room, study,

den, library, music room,

entryways, patios, porches

Bedrooms, bathrooms,

dressing areas

Kitchen, utility room,

basement, garage, shop

Circulation Patterns

Leave 3-4

feet for Major

traffic lanes

Circulation patterns are

routes people follow as

they move from one

place to another.

Circulation PatternsFamily

Guests

Service

Entrance near kitchen

and basement stairs

Work circulation gives

easy access to

basement, garage, and

storage areas. Clothes

care center in

convenient location

Entry, living room,

family/great room,

dining and powder

rooms in close

proximity.

Work

Most complex, involves each family

member and their own activities.

Principles for Good Circulation

• Bathrooms should be located close to bedrooms

• Indoor living areas should be close to outdoor living areas

• Related rooms should be close to one another

• High use routes should be short and simple

• Avoid excessive hall space

• Rooms should not be cut in half by routes

Work Triangle

The route

between the

sink,

refrigerator,

and range.

Small

triangles

save steps

allowing

tasks to be

done quickly

and easily.

Cross

traffic

causes

accidents

and spills

Room Relationships

• Dining room by living room

• Dining room by kitchen

• Bedrooms by bathrooms

• Kitchen by garage

• Bathrooms should not be near guest

areas

• Coat closet by living room

Evaluate Room Relationships

Set of House Plans

• Plot Plan

• Foundation Plan

• Floor Plan

• Exterior Elevations

• Electrical Plan

• Construction Details

• Pictorial Presentations

Foundation Plan

and Foundation

Details

Floor Plan drawn

in ¼” scale

Exterior

Elevations

Cabinet Elevations

Electrical Plan

Pictorial Presentations