How to Draw a Floor Plan For Rearranging and Decorating Rooms

Graph paper helps keep your measurements accurate.

Before rearranging or decorating your room, make your life easier by planning ahead. Drawing a floor plan will give you the opportunity to try a variety of possibilities for furniture placement, letting you know ahead of time whether the pieces will fit where you think you want them. Learn how to draw the floor plan so you can avoid a strained back or sore legs from moving furniture only to find you must move it again.

Things You'll Need

• Graph paper
• Pencil
• Measuring tape
• Ruler
• Scanner
• Computer
• Printer

Instructions

1. Write the name of the room on the top of a piece of graph paper. Add a measurement key under the room name. For example, write "One block equals 12 inches."

2. Determine what symbols you wish to use for different furnishings. Use standard symbols, which can be found online, or create your own.

3. Measure the length and width of your room and record your total room dimensions in pencil at the bottom under the key. Create an accurate outline of the room on your grid, drawing lightly in pencil, by counting the squares. Write the wall dimension with corresponding arrows on the outside of the wall on your grid.

4. Measure each of the components with which you are dealing, such as windows, closets, doors and each wall space between, recording your measurements as you go.

5. Sketch your measurements on your grid by using your dimension notes, counting the squares for accuracy and using the layout symbols determined previously. Record your measurement numbers with arrows just outside the lines. Check the total of your measurements to make sure it equals the total length of the wall.

6. Make note on your sketch where light switches, cable and electric outlets, thermostats and registers are located as well.

7. Scan your basic layout with all of the dimensions so that you can make extra copies. This will come in handy when you start planning your furniture placement, enabling you to sketch several different ideas without having to redraw your layout.

8. Measure the length and width of each of the main pieces of furniture that you want to use in the room. You can sketch the pieces directly on your graph paper, or you can make scale-size paper templates of the pieces for easier movement in the planning process.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a ruler if you like to make straight lines, or draw by hand. Keep in mind that is does not have to be an architectural masterpiece. Just figure it as closely as you can.

• While your are measuring your spaces, when measuring the windows for your layout, also make notes of the window height and the space from the window sill to the floor, as well as the space from the window top to the ceiling. This will save time later when planning for a piece of furniture sitting under or in front of the window as well as choosing window coverings.

• Always keep a copy of your floor plan(s) with you or in the car, along with a measuring tape. You never know when you might be out shopping and find just the perfect piece for your room. If you have your dimensions with you, you will know right away whether or not the piece is going to fit.

References

• Moving Today: Arranging Furniture In Your Apartment Living Room