How to effectively lay out space with floor plan software

Using modern software to create your floor plan can make the difference between successful and unsuccessful projects. Still, 40% of construction companies use paper plans on the job, making the construction industry one of the least digitized industries. Regardless, moving away from paper and toward online, real-time sharing of information is easier than you think.  

Whether you work in construction, real estate, remodeling, event planning, or you’re a business owner laying out an office space, software is a quick, easy design solution. What does it do? It’s mostly an online blueprint maker that will help you: 

1. Simplify with built-in features
 

• Draw digital floor plans with accurate, scalable dimensions for individual rooms or entire floors of your building, including the wall structure, building core and electrical symbols 

• Choose from pre-made templates  

• Have a clear, visual representation of what you need to do and how it’s going to look when completed 

• See a blueprint of your scope of work

• Create a draft and make adjustments before cementing your plan 

• Reduce hassles and ensure the project finishes successfully 

• Gain insight into the amount and type of materials you need

• Choose furniture and see how it will fit in your space 

• Communicate your ideas with all parties involved, from designers to employees to clients
  

What kind of floor plans can you create? Just about any. Here are a few: 

• 2D or 3D  

• One room or an entire home 

• Commercial spaces/office buildings 

• Kitchen and bathroom remodels or additions 

• Office layouts (e.g., floor charts, cubicle placement, meeting spaces) 

• Outlet, switch and fixture placement for electrical and telecommunication needs 

• HVAC plan (e.g., heating, ventilation and cooling ductwork diagram) 

• Interior design plans (e.g., furniture, flooring, wall coverings, lighting) 
   

2. Reap the Benefits of Success 
 

The ability to focus on the task at hand so you can effortlessly create a better floor plan is the key to success: 

• Better spaces. Consider office spaces, for example. A recent survey found that the most innovative companies are five times more likely to have well-designed workplaces that prioritize both individual and group zones.  

• Happier employees. The vast majority of executives agree that design is critical, with 85% saying smart building solutions can directly benefit employee satisfaction and similarly impact productivity. Sixty-nine percent of businesses reported a boost in employee satisfaction and engagement by merely implementing building features like sit-stand desks, wellness rooms, plants and greenery.  

• Increased productivity. Proper design in places like plants, warehouses and distribution centers is even more critical since productivity is a make or break situation. Not only are companies wanting larger storage capacities, research also finds they know the importance of modern, functional design features. That’s why the leasing of build-to-suit spaces over a two-year span has skyrocketed, accounting for nearly two-thirds of net absorption. 

• Good floor plans. The same sentiment rings true in home design. The physical layout and interior design must be fully functional. It should be a place that brings people together comfortably, but without sacrificing on beauty. So, it’s no surprise that the floor plan is near the top of the priority list for buyers considering a home. When it comes to reselling a home, the floor plan is also vital. Yet, more than 90% of houses in North America do not have floor plans available for buyers to view.
  
   

3. Avoid rework 
 

No matter what you’re designing, all projects have one thing in common: the high cost of do-overs. One study found that approximately 30% of the work performed by construction companies involves reworking the original plan. Additional research finds up to 70% of that rework in construction and engineering products is a result of design-induced issues. The fact is, construction firms and other types of industries are losing a lot of money and allocating too many resources to finish projects that could have been done right the first time.

By choosing floor plan software, you’ll create clear, easy-to-read floor plans that are shareable and easily modified. The right software should be intuitive and straightforward, allowing you to:  

• Take advantage of refreshed templates that contain thousands of shapes for walls, doors, electrical outlets and more. These shapes should meet industry standards like BPMN 2.0, UML 2.5 and IEEE. 

• Choose a custom or pre-defined architectural, metric or engineering scale. 

• Get started easily, customize and complete diagrams faster and draw or annotate using pen, finger or ink. 

• Quickly drag shapes like walls, doors, windows, wall switches, outlets and other wall fixtures onto the drawing page. 

• Add furnishings, equipment and accessories.

• Insert a CAD drawing that you can resize, change scale or move.