Floor Plan Tips: The 3 Design Secrets Every Functional Home Needs

When I bought my apartment, I knew the floor plan had to change.Walls had to go, rooms needed to be redefined, and the overall flow was… let’s just say, a disaster.

As an architect, I’m used to thinking holistically- but applying that mindset to my own home turned out to be a whole different challenge.

Through the process, I discovered that there are really three main principles that made all the difference:flow, dead space, and zoning.

These three tools can be applied to any home- no matter the size or style- to create a floor plan that simply works.

1. Flow- How You Move Through Your Home

Flow is all about how you move from room to room- and whether your floor plan supports that movement or gets in the way.

Bad flow makes you take unnecessary detours or bump into other zones on the way to your “destination” (like the kitchen).Good flow makes your home feel effortless to live in- almost without noticing it.

In my own apartment, I studied how I actually move throughout the day: Where do I come in with coats and groceries? Where do I drop things off? How do I move between the kitchen, living room, and bedroom?

⬆You enter a tiny hallway with no place for coats or bags. Then you move into a large, dark corridor that’s still too narrow for storage. To reach the kitchen, you have to pass through the dining area - and the kitchen itself is a dead-end, forcing you to walk back and forth constantly.

💡 Tips:

• Avoid having to walk through one destination to reach another. Define clear walking paths.

• Create logical movement lines- the shortest route wins (you’ll end up walking that way anyway).

• Keep essential rooms close to each other.

• Even small changes- like moving a door or opening a wall- can dramatically improve flow.

2. Dead Space- The Square Meters That Don’t Earn Their Keep

“Dead space” means those square meters that serve no real purpose- narrow hallways, awkward corners, or oversized rooms.

In my apartment, I had several square meters that were basically just “in-between” zones. I decided to reclaim them.Some spaces were reduced to create better storage; others were divided to make smaller but more useful areas.

As an architect, I see this all the time: people think their home is too small- but often, the problem is that they have too much space doing nothing.

💡 Tips:

• Identify zones that are just for walking through. Can they be built in with storage or used more smartly?

• Sometimes dividing a large room into two smaller ones- or into defined zones- improves both function and comfort.

• Remember: every square meter costs money. Make it work for you.

3. Zoning- The Secret to a Calm and Functional Home

This is a principle I’m truly passionate about. A good home has zones- clearly defined areas with distinct purposes. It’s not just practical; it also helps you understand where to open up and where to create privacy.

I always divide spaces into two main types:

• Social zones (living room, kitchen, dining area): these can be more open, connected, and fluid.

• Private zones (bedrooms, bathrooms, wardrobe): these need calm, privacy, and separation.

In my apartment, this meant opening the wall between the kitchen and living room- both part of the social zone- while keeping the wall between the living room and hallway to preserve privacy and structure.

💡 Tips:

• Mark transitions between zones with floor materials, color changes, or rugs.

• Don’t fear walls- they bring calm, structure, and furniture possibilities.

• When considering open layouts, ask: is this a social or private zone? Maybe that cozy reading nook doesn’t need to be part of the open area.

From Ideas to a Real Plan

After analyzing these three principles- flow, dead space, and zoning- I finally had a clear strategy.

I sketched a plan where I removed two walls near the kitchen, divided one large bedroom into two, and expanded the hallway to include more storage.The result?

• Better flow through the entire apartment

• Clearer functional zones that don’t overlap

• More storage

• And- bonus!- an extra bedroom without sacrificing living space ⬇️

My Experience

Using these three principles completely changed my approach.Now my home doesn’t just look good- it actually works.

As an architect, I’m convinced this is what separates a random renovation from a thoughtful one:It’s not about copying trends, but about creating a home that fits you and the way you live.

Conclusion

If you’re in the middle of a renovation or considering layout changes, start by asking yourself these three questions:

1. How is the flow in my home?

2. Where do I have dead space that could be used better?

3. Do I have clear zones- and is there a good balance between open and private areas?

If you can answer those, you’re already halfway to a great floor plan.

Want more practical design advice from an architect who’s been there?

Subscribe to my newsletter- I share professional tips and personal experiences from my projects, plus plenty of inspiration for anyone who loves design and architecture. 🍓