ᐅ Floor Plan Optimization Checklist for New Construction

Hello, we are currently planning a house. So far, we have a hand-drawn sketch at a scale of 1:100, which we like very much. However, we are looking for ideas on how to save some square meters to reach approximately 150–155 m² (1,615–1,669 sq ft). Current floor areas:
Ground floor:
- Bathroom: 4.5 m² (48 sq ft)
- Cloakroom: 3.5 m² (38 sq ft)
- Office: 14.5 m² (156 sq ft)
- Hallway: 10.5 m² (113 sq ft)
- Storage under the stairs: 1.5 m² (16 sq ft)
- Utility room: 8 m² (86 sq ft)
- Kitchen: 11.5 m² (124 sq ft)
- Dining: 19 m² (205 sq ft)
- Living room: 25 m² (269 sq ft)
= total approx. 98 m² (1,055 sq ft)
Upper floor:
- Bathroom: 7.5 m² (81 sq ft)
- Bedroom: 12.5 m² (135 sq ft)
- Walk-in closet: 5 m² (54 sq ft)
- Gallery: 10.5 m² (113 sq ft)
- Children's room 1: 13.5 m² (145 sq ft)
- Children's room 2: 13.5 m² (145 sq ft)
= total approx. 62.5 m² (673 sq ft)
This brings the overall total to approx. 160.5 m² (1,728 sq ft).
The extension (living room) should preferably remain to keep a view of the forest to the east from the sofa. On the upper floor, the children’s rooms should be swapped with the bathroom and the master bedroom.
Orientation: entrance to the north, kitchen on the east side, office on the west.
Do you have any other ideas for optimization? Possibly adding a (hidden) pantry. Different staircase design?
Are the room sizes sufficient or still too small?

Many thanks in advance!

Is there no cadastral map of the property? Ideally with a north arrow and neighboring plots. Did you overlook the questionnaire?

https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/grundriss-planung-unbedingt-vor-beitrag-erstellung-lesen.11714/

Some photos of the surroundings or the property itself are also helpful.

What do you want now? Less square meters or more wishes fulfilled?

Few details, so only a few suggestions for saving square meters:

- Omit the walk-in closet, place the wardrobe in the bedroom
- Eliminate the door from the kitchen to the utility room to gain usable space in the utility room
- Remove the cloakroom in front of the toilet and integrate it as a built-in solution under the stairs

Sarah K. schrieb:

On the upper floor, the children’s rooms are planned to be swapped with the bathroom and the master bedroom.

Do you have any other ideas on what could be improved? Maybe fit in a hidden pantry.

A different staircase design?

Are the room sizes sufficient, or are they too small?

I would rather swap the bedroom and wardrobe so that the bathrooms remain stacked.

You could split the utility room in half to create a pantry. Alternatively, you could use the utility room also as a pantry. In my opinion, this has the advantage of shorter distances. There really isn’t a traditional pantry anymore these days anyway.

A different staircase would require a completely new design.

I assume there will be a basement.

In my opinion, the room sizes are fine.

You are using a lot of space for the gallery on the upper floor.

Please provide some dimensions for the floor plans.

The basement floor plan is missing.

I like the flexible partition wall to the kitchen. I once had something similar in my apartment. But honestly, it was hardly ever fully closed.

I skillfully overlooked the questionnaire. Here is the update plus photos.

Development plan/restrictions:
Plot size: 1,100 sqm (11,840 sq ft)
Slope: only towards the street
Roof shape: flexible
No building regulations.

Basement: no
Floors: ground floor and upper floor
Number of occupants: 2, possibly plus 2 children, aged 31 and 28
Space requirements: ground floor office, restroom with bathtub, closed kitchen

Additional requests/particulars see photo

The staircase is drawn somewhat wide.