What dimensions should I know before designing my house?

Asha Bogenfuerst Asha Bogenfuerst
homify Casas modernas: Ideas, diseños y decoración
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The term dimension in architecture is related to the measure of things, this is their size and shape as we perceive them visually. In geometry, the dimension is the area of a surface, its volume and length or width. Therefore, building plans with dimensions of houses is the distance between the limits of a surface according to the lines: length, height, width and thickness. 

Knowing and understanding the dimensions of a house will allow us to design more comfortable, functional and practical spaces, so in this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about dimension in architecture. 

The projection in the architecture of a house

By definition, architecture is the art of designing, projecting and building to modify the human habitat. These built spaces are three-dimensional, so the architecture plays with these dimensions, also covering small objects.

For more ideas here are 10 modern house floor plans to inspire you.

Three dimensions:

We conceive the objects placed in a free space as three-dimensional space: high, wide and deep. These dimensions can be measured in three directions:

- Up and down

- Back and forth 

- To one side and the other. 

To this, we must also add all the dimensions that our mind can perceive, known as standard room sizes in a house. The observable spaces can have one or many dimensions such as light, sound, color or temperature. Essentially, the dimensions of architecture are the dimensions of observable space.

Dimension and space

Dimensions are independent variables, which can decrease or increase without altering other variables. A line has a single dimension, but a point on that line can move to another place on it without affecting other aspects. When considered geometrically,  architects give priority to the building plans with dimensions, resorting to the third spatial dimension, using ceilings that normally have a height of 2.4 meters. Here are some more amazing homes to suit your style which have been designed in perfect proportion.

Dimension and scale

In a mathematical relation with the dimension, the scale intervenes. Scale is the way we perceive the sizes of the elements versus the other forms. Within the scale there are two ways: 

- Generic scale : it is the dimension of a constructive element in front of other forms of the context. 

- Human scale : it is the dimension of an element or a space with respect to the dimension and proportion of the human body. In three dimensional spaces, the height is the one that has the most influence, unlike the width and length, because the walls enclose the space and the height will be the one that provides comfort and privacy.  

The factors that can affect the scale of space are: - The shape, color, limits, openings (windows), and nature and furniture that are placed around. 

Dimension and volume

Space is everything that surrounds us, from its interior conception to the exterior. In the dimension, the space, the volume and the scale are closely linked. The volume of this single family home occupies space in three dimensions: width, height and depth. Standard room sizes in India are conceived in architecture through boundaries such as floors, walls, decks. The volume is the reflection of that interior. The volume is an occupied space , but our perception through the view is the involvement of this space (form and surface) generating the sensation of an occupied space (volume). Here the textures and colors appear to enrich the surfaces. For more ideas, visit: 5 amazing wall murals.

The depth to increase the dimension visually in a house

The depth is the distance between the bottom of a space or an object and the point taken as a reference (height, edges, etc.). As we have already mentioned, depth is also part of the dimension of space. In addition to the characteristics of a living room its depth can be accentuated to achieve a small dimension so an amplitude effect is achieved. This amplitude can be achieved through color (the observable spaces). To achieve this effect, there are colors that can help us, such as accent colors, which are perfect for giving depth to a room. These colors can be used on surfaces (walls) or on some furniture or accessories. The key to success while designing a great home in open floor design is to make the right living room dimensions to maintain balance across the region.

Example # 1 to give depth to your home and increase its dimension visually:

 A good alternative is to paint a bright wall in a small room, believe it or not. Keeping the rest in neutral and clear colors, that accent wall will help deceive the eye, lengthening the space.

For more ideas, here are 6 Mediterranean architecture tips for the home.

Example # 2 to give depth to your house and increase its dimension visually:

In the decoration of interiors there are very valuable resources (besides the colors), which act as allies to obtain very interesting effects. Another alternative to achieve the feeling of depth in the dimensions of the house, is through the photomurals. The photomurals can also serve to design a false window in a room where there is none, achieving a sense of light and greater dimension while planning standard room sizes in a house.

Example # 3 Adding visual weight with mirrors

You must have seen how commercial outlets like hotels, spas and confectionery stores use mirrors to make their serving area look spacious and also showcase their wares in an interesting if not appetizing manner. Appropriately sized mirror placed in the perfect location can creates illusion of space and depth even in the usual small, standard room sizes in a house.

Example # 4 – Create visual depth with wall tiles

Triangular herringbone tiles in grey and white make this room appear wide and spacious creating illusion of an extended wall between floor and ceiling. The design with these tiles that can be picked up from any regular building supplies store provides a perfect backdrop to the slim legged furniture that is part of this chic breakfast area with open shelves for pretty glassware and decorative planters supported by dome shaped lamp.

Measuring the dimensions of your house:

At the moment of wanting to remodel, decorate or furnish the home, it is necessary to know precisely the measurements of your home.

Here are some tips to do it: Measure a room – First measure the length and width, using the standard formula for the perimeter:  length + width – Then multiply the result by 2. Thus you will obtain the perimeter of the measured space. Knowing these measures with accuracy, will allow you to achieve harmonious environments, because you will have a much clearer idea of the type of furniture that you can place in the dimensions of the space, as well as obtain a better distribution and circulation between the different spaces of the house.

Planning standard room size in India :

Among the most important measures we should know about our home, are those of the walls. This is because they plan windows and doors. To measure the walls, start by making a drawing in which you include the existing windows and doors. – Measure the height and width of the wall. For this, the formula you should use is:  width x height 

- Measures the length and width of doors, built-in furniture and / or windows - These measurements will give you the total dimension of the wall.  

- If you want to paint the wall, you must subtract the measurements of the doors, windows and built-in furniture. For more ideas, visit: 10 fabulous colors to paint the walls of your small living room.

Approximate dimensions of a house in India:

The dimensions of a house are defined by several factors: the conditions and size of the land, as well as the family's economy.

A) Standard size house: A standard house size for a family of four people ranges between 60 and 84 square feet. The approximate measurements of the different environments are: 

- Bedrooms: 9 m² in area and the smaller side must be a minimum of 2.70 m. A double bed measures 1.90 m long and 1.50 m wide. The dimensions of circulation on the sides of the bed should be 60 cm and in front of the bed 90 cm.  

- The dining room must have at least 15 m². 

- The kitchen must have at least 2.70 m².  

- The bathroom 2 meters long by 1.5 wide (approximately). The height of the floor to the ceiling, must be minimum of 2.30 meters.

B) House a little larger than the standard size: In a house of 168 m², the dimensions can be formed as follows: 

- Kitchen: 10 m² 

- Dining room: 15 m² 

- Room: 25 m²  

- Terrace, balcony or garden: 10 m²  

- Master bedroom: 20 m²  

- Secondary bedrooms: 15 m² each  

- Studio: 15 m² - Bathroom: 6 m²

Known dimension

The size of  our home includes several factors of great importance, which sometimes are not considered at the time of decorating, which causes lack of harmony and balance. Knowing the exact measurements is a good basis for drawing sketches and experimenting with several options regarding furniture, color, light inputs, distribution and circulation of space.

We hope you've enjoyed this idea book. For more ideas and inspiration, have a look at how to design neomodern architecture.

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