What a proper layout shows
- Every wall, with thickness, and every door with its swing drawn.
- Window positions and sill heights, because they govern furniture against that wall.
- Existing services: plumbing points, the electrical distribution board, AC positions, the gas line.
- Furniture drawn to real dimensions, not symbols — a 6 ft sofa is 6 ft.
- Circulation clearances marked: 900 mm main routes, 600 mm beside a bed, 1,050 mm in a kitchen corridor.
- A scale bar and at least two dimension strings per room.
Why it matters more than the render
A 3D render shows you what a corner will look like from one flattering angle. A layout shows you whether the wardrobe door hits the bed, whether two people can pass in the kitchen, and whether the dining table leaves 750 mm behind a pulled-out chair. Almost every liveability complaint about a finished flat traces back to a layout that was never tested, not to a render that was inaccurate.
Before approving a layout, mark it on the floor. Masking tape on the existing slab showing the island, the bed and the wardrobe run takes twenty minutes and settles arguments that drawings cannot — people understand a 600 mm gap when they have to walk through it, not when they read it.
How to read one
| Check | What good looks like |
|---|---|
| Main circulation | 900 mm clear, no dog-legs around furniture |
| Beside a double bed | 600 mm minimum, 750 mm preferred |
| Door swings | Nothing in the arc; two doors never clash |
| Dining chair pull-out | 750–900 mm behind each seat |
| Kitchen corridor | 1,050–1,200 mm between cabinet faces |
| Wardrobe shutter swing | 600 mm clear in front of a hinged door |
Fees are usually part of a design package rather than charged alone: design-only engagements in Mumbai run ₹75–250 per sq ft for the full set including layouts, elevations and working drawings. Try a first pass yourself in the floor plan drawer, or see how to plan a home interior project.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a floor plan and a 2D layout?+
A floor plan shows the architecture — walls, doors, windows. A 2D layout adds the interior: furniture, joinery, circulation and services. In practice the terms are used interchangeably, but the second is the one you review.
How much does a 2D layout cost?+
₹15–40 per sq ft of carpet area as a standalone drawing, and usually bundled into a design fee of ₹75–250 per sq ft covering the full set. Very few studios sell a layout in isolation.
Can I make my own 2D layout?+
You can, and it is a useful exercise — it forces you to confront dimensions. What free tools rarely handle is service coordination and clearance checking, which is where most amateur layouts fail.
How many layout options should I expect?+
Two to three genuinely different options at concept stage, then one developed. A studio presenting a single option has either understood the brief perfectly or has not explored it.