Planning Guide

How to Assess Your Family’s Needs When Building a Home

A readable, practical walkthrough to translate lifestyle and growth plans into the right rooms, sizes, and features.

At a Glance

People first: plan from the number, age, and routines of permanent residents.
Room mix matters: bedrooms, bathrooms, and everyday shared zones drive comfort.
Think long-term: leave flexibility for kids, guests, and aging in place.

1) Who Will Live Here?

Start with a precise headcount and how people use space day to day.

List all permanent residents (adults, kids, elderly relatives).
Note schedules: remote work, shifts, study times, quiet hours.
Guest patterns: overnight monthly, seasonal, or rarely.

Quick Room Guidelines

Bedrooms 1 per adult pair + 1 per child; add 1 flexible room if you frequently host.

Bathrooms 1 per two bedrooms + a guest WC near common areas.

Living & Kitchen Size for your biggest simultaneous gathering, not the average day.

2) Define the Room Mix

1

Bedrooms

Match to the household today, but leave one flexible room (office/guest/nursery) that can switch roles without remodeling.
2

Bathrooms

Reduce morning bottlenecks: one full bath per two bedrooms, plus a compact guest WC near the living zone.
3

Shared Areas

Living, dining, and kitchen should form a functional triangle: circulation flows, sightlines to kids, and acoustic comfort.

“Right-sizing bathrooms and a multi-use spare room delivers the biggest comfort boost for the least extra area.”

3) Lifestyle & Hobbies

Spaces that support routines are the ones you’ll value daily.

Quiet work zone for remote work or study.
Activity room: gym, music, crafts, or kids’ play.
Outdoor living: terrace or covered porch for year-round use.

4) Storage & Utilities

Dedicated laundry with sorting and drying space.
Pantry near kitchen + seasonal storage (under-stairs/attic).
Garage or shed planned for tools, bikes, sports gear.

Common mistake: treating storage as leftover space. Plan it early; it dictates comfort and clutter levels.

5) Plan for the Future

Scenario	Design Response	Why It Helps
Growing family	Reserve a convertible room near kids’ zone; add rough-ins for an extra bath.	Flexes from nursery to study to bedroom without major works.
Aging in place	Primary suite on ground floor; wider doors; curbless shower.	Maintains independence and safety long-term.
Frequent guests	Compact guest suite with nearby WC; closet and luggage nook.	Comfort for visitors, privacy for hosts.

6) Style, Layout & Budget Alignment

Architectural Style

Classic, modern, or loft influences circulation, window strategy, and storage solutions—pick the style that supports your plan.

Modern: open plans, larger glazing—consider acoustics and shading.
Classic: clearer zoning—easier noise control and privacy.
Loft: great volume—allocate built-ins to avoid clutter.

Budget & Phasing

Design for phaseability: finish priority rooms now, rough-in future rooms (plumbing, power) to save costs later.

Must-have vs. nice-to-have list before final drawings.
Services core planned to minimize future rework.
Furniture layout sketched early (avoids sizing mistakes).

FAQ

How many square meters per person should I plan?

As a starting point, 20–25 m² per person of usable living area works well, adjusted for lifestyle and storage needs.

Do I really need a guest WC?

If you host more than a few times per year, a small guest WC near the living zone greatly improves comfort and privacy.

What’s the simplest way to future-proof?

Provide a ground-floor sleeping option, rough-ins for an extra bath, and one flexible room that can change function over time.

Wrap-Up

Design from daily routines outwards: set the room mix, right-size shared areas, and add flexibility for tomorrow. Your plan will stay comfortable and relevant for years.