Floor plans, elevations and renders – these are the starting points for any dream project. While they may look complex, we’re giving you the tools to read them like a pro…
Let’s set the scene: you have your project plans stretched out as you wander around your home, trying to understand how these technical drawings relate to the image you have in your head. Sometimes it can be hard to know what each one means, So, let’s learn how to understand them.
We know it can be hard to visualise, but don’t be intimidated by all the lines and dimensions, assures Rob Burnett, design director at Kitchens by Holloways. “Establish the objective of the plan, in other words, what it’s trying to communicate,” he says.
How to read floor plans and technical drawings
A floor plan is essentially a detailed map of your project and is used by every trade to know what goes where. This is true for large extensions, to a small kitchen remodel. As Simon Taylor, managing director at Simon Taylor Furniture, explains, “These are the most accurate blueprint for our cabinetmakers and installers who fit the kitchen. They provide a bird’s-eye overview of the entire design with measurements and details of where cabinetry and appliances will be situated in the room.”
“Using CAD software, we can then create separate layers over the initial floor plan to show where the ‘services’ are going to be,” he continues. “We call these M&E (maintenance and electrical) drawings. One layer will feature the electrical services, while another will provide the location of where the plumbing aspects need to be situated.”
Technical drawings: What are elevations?
Elevations are two-dimensional and can show anything from the side of a building inwards. Like you’ve sliced your home in half to the internal design of kitchen cabinets. Particularly helpful if you’re installing a breakfast cupboard, for example.
Step inside your design with CAD and 3D renders
Renders are, in general, the easiest to understand, as they are a 3D model of your project. This lifelike version gives you a true sense of what your space will look like once complete. Usually, these plans help finalise a design. Much easier to understand than the other technical drawings.
Some brands even offer a whole VR experience of your render, where you can ‘physically’ walk around your future kitchen or bathroom. Such fun when you interact with your kitchen in the 3D world.
It’s worth asking your designer to go through any plans you have in detail with you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or flag something you don’t think is right. Because if there is something wrong, this could mean a disaster during the installation stage. So, the main thing to remember when working with these drawings is simply ensuring you go back with any changes until you are 100% happy.
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