Architecture and web design have a lot in common. Both professions can produce dazzling designs, but in reality they may not be very usable. That's why you have an obligation to scrutinize construction drawings closely to make sure that the spaces are really livable. Don't have the time? Then have an interior designer look at the plans.
 
Examples of Tweaking that Design
Here are several examples the kind of trouble you can get into if you do not review your construction drawings or have someone else review them thoroughly:

Laundry/Mud Room
The initial drawing showed the washer and dryer very close to the door entrance from the garage. The owners were planning to install a modern front loading washer and dryer. Here's the problem with that. From the wall to the front of the washer there's 32 inches. When you open the washer or dryer door you need another 20 inches. So you essentially block the entrance to the room when some one is washing or drying clothes and create a traffic jam.

You may be saying "So what, I would have caught it later." Sure you would, but if the plumber or electrician had
already installed the waste and water supply lines and electricity, they would have had to redo the work. That would
have cost you money and both the contractor and subs would have been annoyed. Always remember that with construction, everything can affect other areas.

Master Bedroom Suite
Here's a drawing of the proposed suite. Can you tell what is wrong with the setup? Look closely and envision that a
family of five (two adults and three teens) would use the space.



It's the laundry room. Anyone who wanted to do laundry in the house would have to enter the master bedroom suite and proceed into master bathroom hallway. That clearly was not a good idea. The solution was to move the laundry closet in to a  common areas where everyone could access it without imposing on the privacy of others. Take a look below.

Art Work and Large Furniture Pieces
Some of the most overlooked items in a home remodeling project are own home furnishings. If you think we are kidding, ask any Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Renovation Hardware or furniture dealer how often they can't get the stuff through the door or up the stairs. Fortunately for some of us, these items end up on sale at deep discounts. See our article on moving furniture up the stairs and through doors for guidelines.

To get around much of this, you can insist that most doors are at least 36 inches. Ditto for outside doors. That helps with accessibility issues also by your guests and others who may be in a wheel chair. Examine your hallways carefully Halls are also examined closely. We like them to be at least 42 inches wide; 48 inches is better. That really helps to get the large pieces in the house up or down the stairs.

Pay particular attention to your windows. The trend today is to let the light in. The problem is a scarcity of wall space to hang art work, especially larger pieces that are greater than 48 inches long. In our own situation we did not leave enough space between windows to accommodate a 48" x 48" painting.

Last Word
If you can't spend the time to really review your plans, hire an interior designer for a couple of hours. He or she will improve your design and help you to avoid costly rework or changes once construction begins. Remember that interior designers have a sense of space and flow.