Small and medium-sized families with couples and elders or kids will often find small-to-medium-sized homes, such as a 1200 sq ft house design, to be an ideal housing option. A 1200 sq ft area can easily accommodate a 2 or 3 BHK house.
To achieve the best first impression of the house, you need to design an attractive yet functional front elevation. Read on to learn the major points about front elevation design for a 1200 sq. ft. house.
Understanding House Elevations
House elevation is an architectural drawing that provides a visual representation of the structure’s exterior from the street side. Since the first impression of any house is set by its front elevation, you need to carefully design the facade elements, such as windows, doors, and building frameworks, while maintaining the proportion and scale of architectural features.
Types of House Elevations
When designing a 1200-square-foot home, you need to understand elevations from different sides. Each direction view will help you to understand architectural elements, dimensions, and materials from various perspectives. House elevations have the following types:
Front Elevation
The front elevation is the facade of the house facing the road. For a 1200 sq ft house elevation, this will include the main door, windows, and sometimes porches and other decorative elements. It represents the house’s architectural style and personal taste with the materials used and design choices.
Rear and Side Elevations
The rear elevation offers a view of the house from the backside. It will generally include a backside entrance door, patios, or deck areas. The side elevations will give both the lateral side views that will help to understand and gain insight into the home’s dimensions and window placements. Both rear and side elevations will give a complete picture of the building’s overall design.
Split Elevation Designs
In split elevation designs, the floors will be at slightly different levels instead of being completely flat or on one level. This design uses short staircases to connect different living areas of the house. It helps create separate zones for privacy while keeping shared areas easy to reach. This design can be used both on the outside and inside of the house, making it flexible and creative.
Popular Elevation Styles for 1200 Sq Ft Homes
Traditional Elevation Patterns
In the traditional 1200 sq ft house elevation style, you can use classical elements to highlight the craftsmanship of local labour. Indian traditional house architecture often includes the use of gabled roofs to achieve resistance against varying weather conditions, symmetrical facades for a balanced look, and wooden elements such as decorative trims and mouldings. Naturally available and eco-friendly materials such as wood, stone and bricks are commonly used. Local design elements such as terracotta tiles, jaalis (latticed screens) and chajjas or jharokhas (overhanging eaves) are commonly included.
Contemporary Minimalist Designs
These 1200 sf house designs are modern and simple styles that incorporate clean lines and open spaces. They mainly focus on functionality by including large windows for natural light. They are characterised by open spaces and a limited colour palette, eliminating excessive ornamentation and allowing the architecture and furniture to stand out.
Modern Fusion Styles
Modern fusion styles will let you fuse various architectural elements and styles to create your own unique designs that reflect your personal tastes. For example, you can include traditional features such as a pitched roof with contemporary elements like open floor plans and large sliding doors that promote indoor-outdoor living.
Colonial-Style Elevation
Colonial-style elevations are famous for their symmetry and balanced proportions. They often include uniformly placed windows, central doors, and gabled roofs with dormer windows.
This style uses traditional European materials such as wood or brick for siding. You can change the materials based on your budget and availability.
Industrial-Modern Style
Here, you can create a raw and unfinished look for the house. This style commonly makes use of materials like exposed brick, steel, and concrete and involves open floor plans, high ceilings, and large windows, giving a spacious feel within smaller homes. Here, neutral colour tones, such as blacks, whites, and greys, which complement the rustic textures of reclaimed wood, concrete, and metal accents, are generally used.
Essential Elements of Front Design
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Entrance Design and Door Placement
When anybody looks at a house, main door designs mostly grab their complete attention first. This can be designed in different patterns and colour shades using suitable materials. You can complement the door with windows, porches, or porticos. When considering elevation design for a 1200 sq ft house, the front porches usually span the home’s length.
Window Configurations and Styles
The style and material type used for windows influence the exterior look of the house. You need to place them in suitable positions for sufficient light and proper ventilation. The size, type and style of windows matter for letting in natural sunlight and offering views. Based on house requirements, you can choose the window style, such as double-hung, modern casement, or sliding with decorative transoms.
Balcony Integration Options
For mid-size houses, such as 1200 sq. ft., you can enhance the outdoor living experience by including a balcony. It gives additional space for relaxation with environmental views.
Roof Design Considerations
There are various types of roofs: gable, hip, and flat. Choose the roof style strategically because it plays a major role in deciding the lifespan of the house. It should complement the local climate and bear harsh weather conditions for comfort.
Material Combinations and Textures
When designing an elevation design for 1200 sq ft house, you need to consider the proper combination of materials and textures. You can choose wood, stone, concrete, and metal for exterior cladding. For textured plaster patterns, you can make a combination of stucco or lime plaster with different paints.
Practical Considerations for 1200 sq ft House Elevation
Budget-friendly Design Strategies
Explore different 1200 sf house designs. Consider the budget-friendly yet elegant design. If you choose a minimalistic elevation with clean lines, it will considerably cut the labour and material charges. You can also use ready-made door frames and window units to simplify construction costs and time, achieving a polished look without high investments.
To estimate your house construction expenses, use this free Construction Cost Calculator.
Climate-Appropriate Design Elements
Whenever you create a 1200 sq ft house front elevation, make sure to add elements that complement the local climates. If you build a house in a cold area which receives snowfall, add a metal roof to stop heat from sneaking out. Tile roofs work well for rainy areas.
Local Building Regulations
Your 1200 sq ft house elevation should always obey the local building regulations. These building guides will include minimum room sizes, construction safety standards, and the permitting processes. You can consult local authorities for better ideas.
Site Orientation and Natural Light Optimization
In order to design an energy-efficient house, you must consider the house orientation. You can consult architects and consider vastu suggestions to create better designs according to your requirements.
You can consider the following face-direction options:
- A 1200 sq ft East Facing House Elevation will get sufficient morning sunlight, giving sun-soaked morning vibes.
- A 1200 sq ft West Facing House Elevation will experience high evening temperatures. You need to design the main door tactically to get proper air circulation and reduce direct sun exposure, enhancing comfort within the home.
- A 1200 sq ft North-facing house elevation will be most energy effective, obtaining ample sunlight.
- A 1200 sq ft South Facing House elevation will get a lot of sunlight in the winter seasons. This will help keep the house warm naturally and reduce the need for additional lighting.
Elevation Storey Formats for 1200 Sq Ft House
Before deciding the number of storeys for your 1200 sq ft house design, understand the following options:
1200 sq ft House Elevation: Single Floor Design
These single-storey designs are often suitable for families with elders and children. They are often designed with open floor plans, large windows, and sliding doors. This area can fit in two to three bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, a hall, and a kitchen. You can design the front elevation with outdoor patios or extended porches.
1200 sq ft House Elevation: Double Floor Design
Double-storey, also called duplex (G+1) designs can include balconies or terraces on the upper floor to increase outdoor areas by creating an attractive front elevation. Also, G+1 designs are perfect for larger families as they provide more private rooms without needing a bigger plot, making them ideal for cities.
1200 sq ft House Elevation: Three-Storey (G+2) Design
A three-storey or G+2 design expands vertical space. This design commonly includes a ground floor for common areas, a second floor for private spaces like bedrooms, and an upper floor that can serve as a playroom, home office, or guest suite. These layouts will be especially beneficial in urban areas. Here, you can include outdoor balconies or rooftop gardens for an attractive front elevation design.
You can look into our 1200sq ft House Plan with Elevation options to gain useful insights.
Trending Features in 1200 Sq Ft Front Elevations
- Mixed Material Facades: You can customise the material options to balance and create visual effects.
- Glass Element Integration: To enhance the natural light and visual attractiveness with large glass panels in suitable shapes and sizes, creating visual connections with the outdoors.
- Modern Colour Palette Selection: According to your taste and house facing, you can choose the colour shades in a balanced way to create fresh and inviting exteriors.
By carefully designing the front elevation, you can make your 1200 sq. ft. house into a special, peaceful, inviting home. It should always balance the style with practicality. Consult experts like Brick & Bolt in Mysuru for a smooth and budget-friendly project.