Designing Small House Floor Plans: Important Rules for Contractors & Companies to Follow

Today’s post covers rules for designing small house floor plans that contractors and companies must follow. You probably heard of the so-called tiny house movement unless you live on a far-flung island. Almost everyone has heard of this trend, which has gained significant popularity across numerous regions globally. But what is the tiny house movement in the first place? What is the experience of residing in a tiny home? How is 3D floor plan rendering services used for small houses? If you are considering offering 3D architectural rendering for small house floor plans, there are some rules that contractors and companies should follow. 

Table of contents

What is the tiny house movement?

Tiny homes typically measure 100 to 400 square feet. Although there isn’t a definite standard, tiny homes seldom exceed 500 square feet, and anything beyond this size is considered a small house and not necessarily tiny. For example, 2,273 square feet is the median size of single-family houses, and you can fit around 144 tiny homes on a football field. Several factors spurred the growth of the tiny house movement. Due to the financial crisis from 2007 to 2008, thousands lost their homes to foreclosure or unemployment. Many turned to tiny houses as a more affordable substitute for traditional houses. 

RELATED: Why you need to use 3D modeling services to create floor plans

Individuals who aspire to minimize their carbon footprint also discovered that tiny homes are more energy-efficient, which helps them save on utilities. Other owners of tiny homes streamlined their lifestyles and were enticed by the possibility of reducing their belongings. They hoped to live in a smaller space with a simpler lifestyle. Sometimes, tiny homes are also located in off-grid settings. 

What is it like to live in a tiny home?

There are many reasons individuals downsize and pursue a minimalist lifestyle. Below are several activities in which you can engage in when living in a tiny house:

5 Tips for maximizing the benefits small home floor plans

Below are a few things and rules to consider when a 2D drawings and floor plan company prepares architectural CAD drawings for small home floor plans and tiny house layouts for your clients:

RELATED: 3D house and floor plans rates & costs for drafting services companies

1. Include storage furniture in the design 

There are different ways to be more creative with adding furniture in small spaces like a tiny house. Storage under the bed, inside the coffee table, inside additional seating, or on the couch is an effective strategies to ensure that your client will have ample space for their belongings. It is the primary job of general contractors and companies to ensure that the tiny home plan of their clients is specifically tailored according to their needs and desires. Your clients will surely appreciate and love it if you can provide them with more innovative storage space ideas. 

2. Add storage in surprising areas

When floor plan design experts prepare 2D drawings and floor plans for a tiny house, the main goal should always be to create more storage opportunities as much as possible. Any chance to add storage capabilities can make a big difference in improving the space and its overall livability. You can recommend that your client audit the belongings they want to store inside their home first. Doing so will ensure that there will be enough room for everything while you prepare the 2D floor plan rendering of their dream tiny home. One of the most common tricks seen in tiny homes with the help of 3D floor plan design services is the use of loft beds, with the staircase leading to them doubling as storage space. 

RELATED:  Working with a 3D home design service – things to consider

3. Make every space functional 

When designing tiny homes, reliable 3D Design services should make the most out of the usefulness of every single square inch of the house. Stairs can also serve as bookshelves in some tiny homes; some owners even install their toiler inside the standing shower. What matters here is to ensure that space will be well-spent in a tiny home. Even after the design is completed, consider the purpose these spaces can serve if there are still empty parts in the house. All it takes is some creativity. For example, the headspace in the living room area can serve as storage space for bigger items like a guitar or skis. 

4. Install sliding doors to save space

Traditional doors can be a severe cause of headaches in a tiny house or small house design. It is because the small house design must consider enough room for movement, which means there should be unobstructed space. Sliding doors can provide an excellent solution to client frustration during moving.

5. Fill the ceiling with cabinets

It is recommended for the architectural drafting and design professionals to design cabinets that extend to the ceiling to maximize kitchen space. The space on top of the cabinets usually has no purpose besides gathering dust. Extending the cabinets to the ceilings is an excellent method to optimize the utilization of the space in the client’s kitchen. 

RELATED: Why are companies and firms moving from 2D to 3D CAD architectural renderings and models? 

Other considerations when designing small house floor plans

The reduced floor area requires scrutiny when preparing small house floor plans. Contractors and home design companies must try to use every single square meter of space in the most efficient way possible. When preparing, it is crucial to take into account additional factors that can influence the outcome of small house floor plans:

• Always consider the arrangement of furniture pieces for every space or room. It will help make sure that there will be enough room to accommodate the required furniture. 
• Consider how the built-in furniture will be used. Most of the time, built-in shelving, benches, desktops, and cupboards can lessen the need to add more freestanding furniture. 
• Consider the client’s storage requirements to ensure sufficient storage is available. A tiny house will feel smaller if there is insufficient space to store essential household items. 
• Make sure every space or room has a functional and efficient layout. It should be nothing smaller or bigger than what is needed. 
• Consider making spaces serve dual purposes or be adaptable enough. For instance, a third bedroom can also serve as a versatile space that can be utilized as a study or a secondary living room area.

RELATED: Why companies are choosing 3D floor plan rendering to design and visualize projects 

Just because you are designing a tiny house doesn’t mean the small home will look and feel claustrophobic and cramped. On the contrary, a tiny house can feel as spacious as more traditional homes. The sole distinction between a tiny house and a regular-sized residence is in the lower number of multiple living spaces, bedrooms, and bathrooms. 

For instance, unlike a mansion that features four or five bedrooms, a powder room, two bathrooms, a home cinema, a family room, a walk-in pantry and kitchen, and a formal dining or living space, a tiny house might only have three bedrooms, a powder room, one bathroom, and one open plan kitchen, dining, and living space. Unless you need a house that can accommodate a big family, there is no need for a mansion. 

Remember that even if a house can withstand the test of time, most children often have the habit of leaving the nest after they finish their studies and start working. It is what led to the trend known as empty nest downsizing. These are just some rules for contractors and companies to follow when designing small house floor plans.

How Cad Crowd can help

Ready to elevate your project design and visualization with 3D floor plan rendering? Cad Crowd offers top-notch 3D rendering services that bring your architectural visions to life. Our experienced team of freelance designers and modelers will help you create stunning, realistic 3D floor plans that captivate clients and streamline your design process. Contact us today for a free quote.