I start a client presentation with a floor plan drawing that shows the room’s measured boundaries, fixed features, and proposed furnishings from above. Then I add labels and a short explanation of the decisions I want the client to make. A plan supports the layout conversation; if I use a 3D concept alongside it, I keep measured plans as the reference for construction.
Table of contents
- What to gather before drawing
- How to draw a floor plan for a client
- How to present layout options
- Where a 3D world fits in the presentation
- Choosing a floor plan creator
- Ready to get started?
What to gather before drawing
I keep the first presentation focused on one bounded room and one client decision. For a living room, that decision might be whether the seating should face the fireplace or make conversation the priority.
Before I draw, I gather:
- Room measurements and the locations of doors, windows, and other fixed features.
- The client’s priorities, including how they want to use the room.
- Furniture dimensions for pieces the client plans to keep.
- Proposed furniture dimensions, when available.
- Notes on features that must stay and changes that need further review.
I also note which measurements still need confirmation. That distinction helps me avoid presenting an assumption as a settled detail.
How to draw a floor plan for a client
I use the same sequence whether I draw by hand or use a floor plan creator.
1. Draw the room boundary
I sketch the room from above, then add the wall lengths I’ve recorded. If I’m drawing on paper, I choose a scale and keep it consistent across the plan. If I’m using software, I enter the room dimensions according to that tool’s workflow.
I mark any dimension I haven’t confirmed so I can check it before using the plan for detailed work.
2. Add fixed features
I place doors and their swing directions, windows, and features such as a fireplace or built-in cabinetry. These give the client context for the proposed layout and help me see where furnishings might interfere with openings.
3. Place the main furnishings
I draw the larger pieces as simple shapes viewed from above. For a living room, I might start with the sofa, chairs, and coffee table. I label each piece so the client can connect the plan to the furnishing selections.
I use the available dimensions rather than judging fit from appearance alone. Where a product has yet to be selected, I label the piece as a placeholder.
4. Review movement and access
I trace the likely routes through the room and look at how someone would reach the doors, windows, and seating. I check whether doors can open and whether the arrangement leaves room to use the furniture.
I treat the drawing as a way to spot questions for review. I don’t assume a visual gap confirms a required clearance.
5. Add presentation details
I include the room name, dimensions, furniture labels, and a simple key for any symbols that need explanation. I also note assumptions, such as a retained sofa or a proposed change to a built-in feature.
Before sharing, I check that the plan remains legible at the size the client will see it. A clean drawing gives the conversation room to focus on the design.
How to present layout options
I give each option a name that describes its purpose. For example, I might present Conversation layout and Fireplace-facing layout using the same room boundary and fixed features.
| Presentation element | Conversation layout | Fireplace-facing layout |
|---|---|---|
| Main decision | Arrange seating around conversation | Orient the main seating toward the fireplace |
| What stays consistent | Room boundary, openings, and fixed features | Room boundary, openings, and fixed features |
| Question for the client | Does this arrangement suit how you host? | Is the fireplace the view you want to prioritize? |
I pair each plan with a short note about the tradeoff. Then I ask the client to respond to the layout before treating furniture and finish selections as final.
A useful presentation checklist is:
- Are the plans labeled consistently?
- Can the client identify the proposed furnishings?
- Are unconfirmed dimensions and assumptions visible?
- Does each option answer a different design question?
- Have I stated what feedback I need from the client?
Where a 3D world fits in the presentation
I use the floor plan to discuss the arrangement from above. A 3D world can give the client another way to explore that concept from different viewpoints.
The formats answer different questions. A fixed image shows one view. A video follows one camera path. A panorama lets someone look around from one point. A standalone mesh provides geometry without the saved design workflow. In our product workflow, a morada 3D world is a saved place I can move through and design in.
For an interior project, I can start with 3–8 permitted photos of one connected space, describe the direction I want to explore, and create a private, saved 3D world. With the Interior Designer Pack, I can arrange named design options and share a design for client exploration.
I can also create representative furniture and decor models from product links or reference photos. I check the product identity, color, and dimensions with the seller and use physical samples where needed.
I use the world to explore the concept. I use measured plans for construction. Our public examples show early concepts, including a living room and an office interior.
Choosing a floor plan creator
I choose a floor plan creator based on the presentation and the work that follows it. A free floor plan creator may be worth considering for a simple layout, but I check its current capabilities and terms before relying on it.
My selection questions are:
- Can I enter and label the room dimensions I need?
- Can I show fixed features and furniture clearly?
- Can I create and distinguish the layout options I want to present?
- Can I share the drawing in a format my client can review?
- Does the tool support the level of documentation the next project stage requires?
I keep the floor plan and the 3D concept in their respective roles. morada is a concept and client-review layer; I use a separate measured drawing for the floor plan and any technical work.
Ready to get started?
Once I have a measured room plan and a layout to discuss, I can start an interior project in morada using photos of the room. I can also explore a public 3D world before starting my own.
I’ll keep the plan beside the concept during client review and return to measured documentation for construction decisions.