How to Read Your Home’s Floor PlanOne of the most common challenges when purchasing a new build home is not being able to physically walk through the space. This makes floor plans an essential tool for understanding your home’s layout and features. A floor plan offers a flattened, two-dimensional bird’s-eye view of the home, showing structural elements, door and window placements, room arrangements, and more. However, if you’re purchasing a new build home for the first time, a floor plan might appear to be an indistinguishable collection of lines and numbers. This simple, easy-to-follow guide will help you better interpret what you’re seeing—especially during your next visit to a sales centre.
Renderings
When reviewing floor plans, you’ll typically see them paired with renderings labelled by ‘elevation.’ Each elevation represents a different exterior aesthetic for the home.
This floor plan overview highlights the essential features of the Verona model, helping you visualize how spaces connect and function together.
Each numbered marker corresponds to a feature or area in the layout that’s commonly found across Empire home designs. Use the guide below to get familiar with key elements, learn common abbreviations, and better understand how to read your floor plan.
1. Name of Your Model
Each model is given a name to make it easy to remember and refer to when choosing a layout that suits your preferences.
2. Major Elements
Key features in the floor plan are clearly labelled for ease of understanding. These typically include bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, porch, laundry room, foyer, and living area. Additional features—like a breakfast bar, soaker tub, storage area, or linen closet—may also be shown.
3. Commonly-used Abbreviations
Due to limited space, abbreviated terms are frequently used in floor plans. Here are some you’ll likely encounter:
- W.I.C – Walk in Closet
- W/D – Washer and Dryer
- W.I.P – Walk in Pantry
- STOR. – Storage area
- LN. – Linen closet
- DN. – Used on stairs, indicating the stairway down.
- OPT. – Optional features that do not come standard with your home
- PR – Powder room
4. Dimensions
Room and space dimensions are shown in feet and inches. Typically, each room includes two dimensions. These are measured from the centre of the room and generally assume the space is rectangular—although actual dimensions may vary slightly due to curves or unique layouts.
5. Doors
Doors are represented by a line that arcs in the direction they open. Sliding doors, like those found in closets, are shown as two thin, overlapping rectangles.
6. Cabinets
Upper cabinets are marked by dotted lines, which help indicate their depth. Lower cabinets are typically built in and may not be specifically shown. Your décor representative can confirm the exact number and positioning of cabinets included in your chosen kitchen layout.
7. Closets
Closets come in different configurations with various types of doors and built-in storage systems. Swinging or sliding doors are represented with corresponding symbols. Solid and dotted lines within the closet show shelving and/or rods used for clothing storage. For example, a walk-in closet in the primary bedroom may include an L-shaped storage system with a door that swings inward.
8. Stairs & Multiple Floors
It can be challenging to visualize how multiple floors and open spaces interact when viewing a two-dimensional plan. Staircases are clearly marked with directional arrows and labelled as UP or DN. They may also indicate features beneath the stairs, such as storage. If the second floor includes an opening that overlooks the level below, it will be marked as “Open to below.” Additional elements—like railings or split-level transitions—will also be labelled. A jagged line typically represents the separation between levels, such as between a main floor and side-entry garage.
9. Walls & Windows
Exterior and interior walls, doors, and windows are shown using specific lines and shapes. Shaded areas may indicate structural features like pillars or beams, or additional space required for mechanical systems (e.g., plumbing behind a shower). Dotted lines often signify open areas or trimmed openings between rooms. Window rectangles will vary in size, depending on the number of panes and their placement.
10. Options
Optional features are marked with “OPT.” on the floor plan. For example, an OPT. tray ceiling in a flex room. These features are not included in the base model and can be added at an additional cost—your décor representative can walk you through available options and pricing.
Additional Elements You May See on Floor Plans
Not every home or layout includes these, but depending on the model or region, you may come across the following features on your floor plan:
- Unfinished Basement: Often indicated with dotted lines, showing mechanical areas, stair placement, or rough-in plumbing. Areas marked as ‘Unexcavated’ will remain inaccessible.
- Cold Cellar: In some homes, a cold cellar may be available as an option—this would be an excavated area in the basement designed for additional storage.
- Open to Below: Used to indicate spaces on upper levels that are open to the floor below, often in two-storey foyers or living areas.
- Railings & Balustrades: Shown near stair openings or loft areas for safety and design clarity.
- Dropped Ceilings or Bulkheads: Sometimes noted in kitchens or bathrooms where ductwork or plumbing is housed.
- Exterior Features: Porches, patios, or decks may be outlined with solid or dashed lines depending on whether they are included or optional.
We’ve found that the best way to visualise your future home is by exploring a combination of detailed renderings, model homes, and thoughtfully designed vignettes, where available—paired with guidance from our décor team and New Home Specialists. Start by imagining yourself walking through the front door, taking in how each space flows, feels, and functions. Your home should support your everyday life in ways that feel natural and comfortable.
If you have questions along the way or need help interpreting a floor plan, our New Home Specialists are always here to support you.