Turning your bathroom or kitchen remodeling dream into a reality starts with making a sketch, plan, or blueprint. Flying by the seat of your pants will probably cost you time and money. It does not matter how you create your plan. Don’t be foolish plan your project.
You can use any one of several sophisticated drafting program, generically known as Computer Added Design, CAD. Traditional CAD programs are expensive and meant to meet the needs of professionals in the building and construction industries for developing detailed blueprint drawings. CAD software is too complex for most conceptual design work and takes the average individual too many hours to learn the complex features and functions that CAD applications have.
There is a new generation of software that gives professional design power to the average homeowner. Developed for the conceptual stages of design, this powerful yet easy-to-learn software allows for quick and easy 3D form creation, the result is an interface that supports a dynamic, creative exploration of 3D form, material and light providing real time cinematic home design.
You can use free or low cost software like:
Google SketchUp, which is free for personal use, is an easy-to-learn 3D modeling program that enables you to explore the world in 3D. With just a few simple tools, you can create 3D models of houses, sheds, decks, home additions, and woodworking projects - even space ships. In addition, once you've built your models, you can place them in Google Earth; post them to the 3D Warehouse, or print hard copies.
Plan3D is an inexpensive web based program, which you can subscribe to for under $3.00 per month on an annual payment plan. This application automatically scales drawings so anything you draw on the screen in 3D (like walls, floors and roofs) exactly matches the dimensions of your plans. Put windows, doors, cabinets, furniture, and bathroom fixtures at exactly the correct position while working in 3D. It even has a huge Library of 3D Furniture, Fixtures and Textures
If you don’t want to use one of these ‘High Tech’ methods mentioned above there is a manual solution. You can use the following to draw your plan on graph paper. This ‘low tech’ procedure will mimic the quick conceptual design of the two digital programs mentioned above. You will realize that this method, as well as the digital ones, is efficient and it can actually be fun. The result will become invaluable to you throughout your remodeling project.
Manual procedure to help plan and implement your remodeling ideas
Get some graph paper
Making drawings of your bathroom or kitchen design on graph paper might remind you a lot about your days in school but the skills that you learned then, drawing graphs and objects to scale, will come in very handy now. If you somehow escaped having to do this at school don't worry because it isn't rocket science in fact, it's very simple and can be fun. If you don't have any square graph paper available you can print some out using the free documents below contain graph paper that you are free to print off and use. The documents are in Adobe pdf format so you will need a pdf reader installed on your system to use them. You can get a free pdf reader from Adobe.
Carefully measure the size and shape of eachroom that you want to remodel
Use a tape measure to make detailed measurements of the room(s) you want to remodel. Try to be as accurate as you can because even a small error can be a huge problem when remodeling small rooms like bathrooms or kitchens. Start by measuring the length, width and height of the room then fill in any details such as windows and pipe work etc. When measuring always take measurements of each wall AND at both ends of the room, because it's surprising how often rooms aren't exactly 'square'. When you have measured the room itself you should also measure the size and shape of the existing equipment (cabinets, bathtub, sinks, toilet, bidetshowers, towel warmer, stove, refrigerator, whirlpool, , etc.). Write down all the measurements ready to draw out the plan.
Draw a plan of eachroom that you want to remodel when it is empty
The first set of drawings you will need is one for each room that you want to remodel bare of all fixtures and appliances. Using your measurements for each room that you want to remodel carefully draw the outline of each on a separate sheet of graph paper. Make full use of the squares on the paper to help you draw a true scale drawing that uses as much of the paper as possible. For instance, if your room is 7 foot 6 inches by 12 foot 6 inches and you have some graph paper with 18 squares by 26 squares then a suitable scale might be two squares to the foot. This will fit on your paper using a rectangle of 15 squares by 25 squares.
You might want to make several copies of each room that you want to remodel to use later. You can either photocopy each one that you have drawn or simply draw out several copies of each room that you want to remodel.
Draw a plan of eachroom that you want to remodel as they are.
Use your measurements to draw a plan of each room that you want to remodel as it is with its existing fixtures, cabinets, and appliances. This is where bare room plans will come in handy. You will find that this is good practice for when it comes to drawing out your new design and it will give you something to show contractors when you are explaining how you want the bathroom redesigned. It will be clear from this diagram where all the main services are located. Do not forget to mark the position of faucets and drains on your bathtub, sinks, toilet, bidetshowers, towel warmer, whirlpool, etc. Also mark such things as your: under counter drinking water filter: dishwasher: refrigerator: or waste disposal unit are so that it's clear where the existing pipe work is situated. It is worth taking your time with this diagram because it might be the last chance you get.
Measure the size and shape of new appliances,cabinets, or fixtures
You should be able to get most of the measurements that you need for your new fixtures or appliance from sales brochures, but I like to go to the showroom and measure it up for myself. I also ask the showroom staff for advice. This process can save you from assuming that you only need the space that the brochures measurements document, but what about the consideration for the space to open the oven door on your stove, or the space that you need to offset the toilet bowl on it’s waste drain so that the tank will not be embedded in the wall. Again, be as accurate as you can with the measurements because they will be important later on.
Draw new appliances,cabinets, or fixtures on graph paper and cut them out
Using your measurements for the new fixtures or appliances, draw them accurately on your graph paper. Write on the shapes exactly what they represent including the make and model and its measurements. You might want to make a couple of copies and carefully cut out one set of shapes and leave at least one set of the shapes in reserve. Take one of your drawings of the bare room and have fun arranging all the items in different ways until you have a design that works with your remodeling ideas.
Try different arrangements and ideas for new appliances,cabinets, or fixtures
Spend some time trying out different ideas. Try to think 'out of the box' if you are trying to solve tricky problems or come up with something that is a little different. Try putting the bathtub in the middle of the room instead of along the wall for instance or try putting the dishwasher and sink in an island in the center of the kitchen.
Draw up the final design plans for eachroom that you want to remodel
When you think that you have your final design idea for each room, make a hard copy of it by either drawing or by pasting or taping copies of the shapes onto one of your bare room plans and then photocopying the plan. Don't throw away your cut out shapes though because you might well need them later on when the contractors tell you "you can't put that there" for some reason. You might change your mind about one or two things too so have the shapes close at hand so that you can quickly test out your ideas.
Contractors
Sign-up NOW with ReliableRemodler and start receiving your local leads.
Experienced Account Managers verbally qualifies all project details prior to providing leads to our members.
You'll have your own dedicated Account Manager experienced working in your area.
No bouncing around to different departments or waiting on hold to have your questions answered.
Liberal replacement policies for invalid leads gives your account manager the power to ensure your satisfaction.
View Projects Before Paying for the lead.
Choose Projects You Want
As a Contractor memberview details on a lead including location of customer, type of project, size of project, project budget and how soon the the project is expected to be completed. 100% free selectivity on all leads, leaving our members with the ability to choose only the highest valued leads. Once a lead is accepted the customer contact information is immediately provided along with the full lead details. ReliableRemodeler.com provides a simple, fast and clean streamlined process for your maximum efficiency and ease of use.
Sign-up NOW with ReliableRemodler and start receiving your local leads.
FREE software if you sign-up for a new subscription, or if you change your area of interest. NO HIDDEN FEES.
