How to Design Floor Plans Aided With a Computer
Designing floor plans aided with a computer can be useful for bedrooms, living rooms or kitchens. You can view a virtual image of your room. In addition, you can change the size, add furniture and change the whole outlook of the room. This is important if you are renovating a section of your house or building an add-on. You can download programs to assist in this task. These include but are not limited to SmartDraw ($197) or Fast Plans 12 ($80). You can also use online resources such as Small Blue Printer and Floor Planner.
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Instructions
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Application Floor Planners
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Open the downloaded application. Usually, click on the "Start Menu" icon. Then select "Programs." Scroll to the floor plan program folder and double-click.
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Press the "OK" button on Fast Plans. From SmartDraw, select the "Floor Plans" option on the left of the screen. Then choose the type of floor plan or begin with the "Basic" template.
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Click on "Libraries" in the Fast Plans application. Choose from furniture to electrical such as hanging lights. Begin the SmartDraw program by adding doors and windows to the floor plan. On the left side, select the type of door. In addition, select the arrow under "Add Single Wall." Choose from furniture, appliances or bookcases.
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Drag the item to the location. Each program allows you to move the furniture or other items to the exact location. Use your mouse, click on the small icon. Hold the mouse button and move the item over to the desired area. In addition, you can change the location after you have set it down.
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Save your work. Click on the button in the top left in the SmartDraw program. Then select "Save As." In Fast Plans, select "File" then "Save As."
Online Floor Plans
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Go to a design floor plans website. These include Small Blue Printer and Floor Planner. However, there are several to choose.
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Click on "Blank Plan" on the Small Blue Printer website to begin. On Floor Planner, select the "Personal" link. The "Personal" option is completely free to create one house. If you need more, the cost is around $30 a year. Click the "Signup" now link from Floor Planner.
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Fill out your personal information on Floor Planner. This includes email and password. Select the "Create Account" button. Select the "My First Project" link. The Small Blue Printer site allows you to begin right away.
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Add walls, doors or windows. When you start with a blank page on Blue Printer, you will need to add walls to define the area. Click on the "Walls" icon and then use your mouse to move them. Move the walls to add extra rooms or hallways to your floor plan. Click on the door or window icon on the right side of Floor Planner to move the item to your layout.
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Choose stairs, plants and furniture from Floor Planner. Under the "Library" window, select the arrow next to "Category." Click on the object to drag to the layout.
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Save or print your work. Select the "Disk" icon on the Floor Planner site. Enter a design name then press the "Save" button. On Blue Printer, select the "Print" tab. Then click the "Print" button.
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Tips & Warnings
Explore all the options for the maximum effect for your floor plan. In the downloadable application, your program may differ. SmartDraw and Fast Plans have a demo version available. However, limitations apply. The Small Blue Printer website is strictly floor planning. This means you can add walls, doors and windows, but this does not have furniture or electrical options.
