by Shelly Mcrae

Created on: July 29, 2008   Last Updated: May 03, 2012

Whether you're adding a new room or redesigning an existing space, the first step to designing your new room isn't deciding where the couch will be or where to hang that picture of the dogs playing poker. Before you start thinking about colors and fabrics and big screen televisions, you need to think about structural placements.

You need to know how that new space will tie into the existing structure so you can lay a proper foundation, extend the roof, frame the space, and tie in the heating and cooling systems and the electrical.

Before you start shopping with your swatches for that new room, check your local building codes. How many windows will you need? How many doors? The number of doors and windows needed depends on how many square feet the room will be.

Vent placement, outlet placement, window and door placement will all factor into the final design of your room. The first step in designing your new room will be a detailed sketch drawn to scale of your room and all its structural placements.

Perhaps, though, you're starting with an existing room, one that is now changing purposes. What was once your oldest son's bedroom is now going to be your sewing room.

Do you just move your machine in and set up a card table? No, the first step to designing your new sewing room is a detailed sketch of the room including all the structural placements.

You'll want to know where the outlets are and how to maximize the use of natural light. You'll want to make sure you can place your machine to allow for fabric to come through and not bunch up against a wall.

Your detailed sketch needs to have not only structural placements but space allowances as well. If you set up your machine on a large table in the middle of the room, will you still be able to open the closet door?

The first step to designing any room, whether it's an addition or an existing space, is to create a detailed sketch of the structural placements, including closets and their doors.

The sketch is necessary because it works to prevent design problems. Every room has its issues (just like people) and those issues can turn into design problems partway through a project. Your sketch will help prevent many of those issues from becoming design problems.

Your sketch is your most valuable tool in design. So before selecting a swatch or picking a paint color, get out your tape measure, graph paper and pencil, and sketch to scale.

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