ᐅ Floor Plan for a Residential Project: Urban Villa with Hip Roof

Hello everyone,

For our future construction project, I am mainly looking for ideas and support regarding the optimal use of our conditions.
We plan to build a city villa with a hipped roof.
We are still quite open about the living area but are currently considering around 140-150sqm (1,507-1,615 sq ft).

We, the builder and I, currently live with our dog in an apartment. At most, one child is planned.

We already have rough ideas and, based on these, have sketched a floor plan without dimensions or details (see pictures).
On our plot, everything is allowed to be built, so a city villa is permitted.
The plot is about 1,000sqm (10,764 sq ft), so space is not really limited. However, since the plot is somewhat elongated, we tend to make the city villa more elongated than wide.

In addition, the following points are very important to us:
1. Straight staircase – this is non-negotiable, it has always been one of our biggest wishes
2. The living room must be on the right side, as only there is space for a terrace and garden
3. A walk-in closet is a must
4. There should also be a gallery upstairs. Not an open space—just a free area

We don’t have many other wishes at the moment. However, we are quite limited because the living room absolutely must be on the right side.

Furthermore, we imagine the living room to be relatively large. We would like it to be about 4 meters (13 feet) wide so that a comfortable sofa fits well, and possibly 5 meters (16 feet) long. The sofa should not be placed directly in front of the terrace exit but rather in front of it, so guests don’t have to walk constantly past the sofa to get to the terrace. Therefore, we would like to keep the access to the terrace clear.

The kitchen should include a cooking island and be open, as already sketched roughly on the plan. The living and dining areas should also be open and separated, if at all, only by a fireplace as a room divider. Whether this will work with the dimensions, to be honest, we don’t know yet.

We have an upcoming appointment with an architect and would like to present something roughly feasible beforehand. I read many threads here where architectural drawings are attached, and many contribute their opinions. Often, there are some issues with the floor plans, which is completely normal.

Therefore, I would like to get your recommendations in advance regarding the dimensions for our project, whether a floor plan with 140sqm (1,507 sq ft) is even achievable, and if you have any suggestions on what could be planned better or differently.
We are quite uncertain about the dimensions and how much space is needed approximately for each area.

We are very grateful for any advice or suggestions!

Always draw to scale. Graph paper with 1 square of 5mm (2 inches) = 50cm (20 inches).
Draw in furniture you want or already have, also to scale.

The tape measure will become your best friend. Walk through your own apartment and others with open eyes. What feels too tight now should be made larger, what is optimal should be kept as is.

Regarding your sketch:
Corridors too wide
Swap living and kitchen areas on the ground floor

The proportions don’t seem “right” to me, but I’m not a professional.
The upstairs hallway takes up one-third of the space.
The staircase seems too short but takes up an enormous amount of space.
Meanwhile, the master bedroom is tiny.
The fireplace is directly next to the sofa.
The sofa is placed right against the wall (are you nearsighted? ;-))
and so on.

Instead of spending time on a self-made floor plan, I would a) look for pre-designed floor plans that you like, and b) write down exactly what you want and what the limitations are, including the dimensions of your desired furniture.
Then take this to a professional.

minimini schrieb:

The proportions don’t feel quite right to me, but I’m no expert.
The upstairs hallway takes up one-third of the space.
The staircase seems too short and takes up an enormous amount of space.
Meanwhile, the master bedroom is tiny.
The fireplace is right next to the sofa.
The sofa is placed directly against the wall (are you nearsighted? ;-))
and so on.

Instead of spending time on a DIY floor plan, I would a) first look for pre-designed floor plans that you like. b) write down exactly what you want and what limitations you have, including the dimensions of your desired furniture.
Then take everything to a professional.

Yeah, there are plenty of houses with exactly this floor plan and these requirements here in the forum. Just browse around a bit.

One thing I’ve noticed is that there’s hardly any storage space in the living room, or play area for a planned child. That child also always comes into the living room with dirty shoes from the garden… (this is the same for us, typical mid-terrace house issue… I would handle it differently in a detached house!)

Try also going through a “typical day.” For example, I would find the dressing room upstairs annoying, because my husband goes to bed much later than I do and then fumbles around putting away his things or similar. Having access to the bathroom would be great if I’m already planning a dressing room.

hej.eigenheim schrieb:

2. The living room has to be on the right side because that is the only place where there is land available for a terrace and garden.

Where is north? At the top of the plan? And why put the living room next to the terrace... dining and kitchen areas next to the terrace are much more practical.