When it comes to planning a house in Pakistan, the space distribution and layout is affected by various factors. The main factor which affects the layout of a house depends on its residents and their lifestyle. Despite of this uniqueness, some attributes become common to a region and because of their practicality, are repeated enough times to be classified as a style. We have categorized plans in different categories, which are not only customized based on the users but are also influenced by various historical design movements.
- Modern House Plans
Modern house Plans in Pakistan present regular exteriors, flat roof and elevations in straight lines. Normally glass, concrete and steel are used, along with masonry. Concrete, most of the times replaces brick masonry too. There is a good bit of overlap in contemporary house plan and modern house plan in Pakistan. A modern home plan typically has open floor plans, so a lot of people think that it is much easier to construct as compared to classical or other similar types of house plans. Well, this is not always the case, as getting accuracy, symmetry and aesthetics just right becomes trickier. Secondly, the open plan puts a great deal of constraint on budget as well, since there are minimal walls and roof slabs are supported by using beams.
This style, established in the 1920s, differs from contemporary house plans. Modern refers to a consistent approach in design, whereas contemporary homes include the latest design trends.
A recent survey by our team shows that modern homes are most popular in Pakistan right now. According to this survey more than half of the people (57% to be precise) wish that their house must be designed and constructed on Modern lines in Pakistan. We don’t have any historical data but with the changing trends, this design style or house plan has impressed people the most.
The popularity of this style among homeowners means there are plenty of options available and it is not hard to get the look you are looking for. Similarly, when you are constructing this house, you will be able to find workers and labor, who are accustomed to this style of construction, and they can achieve it accurately. This is one of the challenges that we face in houses in Pakistan. Lastly, as most of the houses are made in modern style, you will get cost effective solutions in this type of house plans in Pakistan. The downside of this house plan is that windows are comparatively larger in size, which means that cost of glass and window frames increases.
One of the principals of modern design is the clever use of materials to simultaneously strip a house down to its basics and make the place seem lived-in. Some people choose to have visible brickwork on one wall to create a striking artistic design, for example. Others use plastic, shiny shelves to store a few select items.
Some of the features of modern house plans or designs are as under:
- Geometric aspects like rectangles in the design
- Minimalist decorative elements
- Straight rooflines
- Large glass windows
- Open floor plans with large living room spaces
- Main floor will have a master bedroom
- Normally 2 storey high
- Contemporary House Plans
Pakistani architecture is defined by multiplicity. Both following tradition and breaking from it, contemporary projects contend with multiple histories. Informed by the coexistence and juxtaposition of conditions like regulated development and informal settlements in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad modern designs are being shaped by broader contexts. In turn, these public and private projects are exploring new spaces and forms.
Many people confuse modern with contemporary, as these two terms are often used interchangeably. Contemporary house designs can be different for different regions and times.
These house plans blend a mixture of whatever architecture is trendy in the here and now (which may or may not include modern architecture). For instance, a contemporary home design might sport a traditional exterior with Craftsman touches and a modern open floor plan with the master bedroom on the main level. Airy outdoor living spaces, open layouts, and large windows which aid in indoor/outdoor flow and energy efficiency are elements that are typically highlighted in both modern and contemporary house designs.
It is a common practice in Pakistan to blend different house designs like modern and minimalist etc with our regional architectural features to give our spaces a timeless look.
- Mediterranean House Plans
Mediterranean house plans draw inspiration from Moorish, Italian, and Spanish architecture. Mediterranean style homes usually have stucco or plaster exteriors with shallow red tile roofs that create shady overhangs. Along with large windows and exposed beams, Mediterranean style homes include patios or loggias to catch breezes.
Mediterranean houses are usually a one-story design with shallow roofs that slope, making a wide overhang, to provide needed shade is warm climates. But in Pakistan, normally double story houses are common even in Mediterranean style. Courtyards and open arches allow for breezes to flow freely through the house and verandas. There are open, big windows throughout. Verandas can be found on the second floor. Typically, the Mediterranean house is constructed with a stucco exterior and has a tile roof. These homes make great vacation homes in southern latitudes and overlap with our Spanish home plans.
- Spanish House Plans
Characterized by stucco walls, red clay tile roofs with a low pitch, sweeping archways, courtyards and wrought-iron railings, Spanish house plans are most common in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, but can be built in most temperate climates. Their charm adds a romantic appeal that blends Mediterranean, Moorish and Spanish Colonial elements into a single stunning house plan.
- Minimalist House Plans
Minimalist house design has been very much in trend for a few years in Pakistan. But trust us when we say it’s not for everyone, esp. in Pakistan. Our lifestyle in Pakistan doesn’t really support this style, as it emphasizes too much simplicity and hiding away everything unnecessary from sight. It lets an unobstructed flow of space.
Space is the most important thing when it comes to minimalist houses! A well-designed minimalist house blurs the boundary between inside and outside and presents you with a vast amount of space and flexibility.
So, if you want one, you’ve got to de-clutter first. Too many clothes to comfortably fit in a wardrobe? Give some of them away. Too much furniture? Some of it’s gotta go. Don’t forget, vital things like chairs and tables can even be folded up and put away when not in use, de-cluttering the place even more. And don’t even think about storing your DVD collection, for example, out in the open – it needs to go away in a cupboard or drawer! Walls should be bare too, apart from the occasional piece of artwork.
The results of de-cluttering are twofold: firstly, now your room should have lots of strong lines that draw the eye. Secondly, now you have less to clean and dust! It’s that – the lack of later work involved – that makes minimalist spaces so luxurious.
Glass is also very, very important in a minimalist home – it can be used to bring in light and make smaller spaces look bigger. A cleverly placed mirror can make a huge difference to a room! Don’t be afraid to experiment with materials you wouldn’t usually use.
If you’re using white, accent it with ornaments or rugs that are brightly coloured. Ideally, something colourful should serve as the focal point in a white room. Choose a colour that compliments your room – green and blue look fantastic in a room that opens out to a garden, for example. White sofa? Make it look more cosy with some fluffy pink cushions. Indulging in minimalism doesn’t mean having to sacrifice comfort.
But a simple thing you can do to make your room appear more open is remove all clutter around the windows. It’s amazing what can accumulate on and around windowsills. So, take down things like vases and net curtains and let the sunshine through your windows with nothing to get in its way.
The best minimalist houses are, in addition to being simple and stylish, also connected to their environment in some way. Huge glass windows open a living room up to the outside world. But this practice is not recommended for Pakistan cities with hot climate. The orientation of windows also plays a vital role in deciding, if such large windows are a good idea or not.
Victorian House Plans
Victorian houses in Pakistan are ornate with towers, turrets, verandas and multiple rooms for different functions often in expressively worked wood or stone or a combination of both.
Victorian style house plans are chosen for their elegant designs that most commonly include two stories with steep roof pitches, turrets, and dormer windows. The exterior typically features stone, wood, or vinyl siding, large porches with turned posts and decorative wood railing, corbels, and decorative gable trim. The Victorian style was developed and became quite popular from about 1820 to the early 1900s and is still loved in Pakistan by many even today.
This house style is sometimes viewed by many as cluttered or overpowered with trimwork and ornamentation; however, these are the attributes that made Victorian home plans so popular in the first place.
Many modern Victorian house floor plans in Pakistan contain updated features such as a gym and a home theatre while still retaining that old-world charm
- Islamic House Plans
Islamic architecture inspired homes are not only popular in Middle East but also in Pakistan.
Elaborate ornamentation, Persian rugs, and wooden lattice windows are all elements of Islamic decoration that have prevailed over time, not only because of their beauty but for their cultural and religious significance.
The Islamic design is not merely a style for decoration; it involves respect for a deeply spiritual way of life. Therefore, there’s a difference between Islamic interiors and Islamic-inspired decoration.
Houses are as ample and comfortable as possible, and effective ventilation and lighting are very important. Incorporating nature is also appreciated, so gardens and fountains have been part of the Islamic tradition for centuries. Gardens are often seen as representations of paradise, with abundant water and vegetation, and are regarded as places for contemplation.
The inner courtyard is a common feature in large houses, and it provides natural ventilation, lighting, and also the perfect location for a private intimate garden.
An entry hall is often found as a transition from the outside. If there’s enough space, there’s a separate room for entertaining visitors and a private living room for the family.
The Islamic home traditionally has an introverted character. The exteriors are rather sober, and most decoration is reserved for the interior. This has a lot to do with the importance Muslims place on privacy.
The Islamic interior decoration is often elaborate. Regardless of a room being luxurious or very humble, ornamentation is important. Having an ornamented setting is seen by many as a way of expressing gratitude and showing hospitality to guests.
The Islamic non-figurative forms of decoration have been traditionally preferred. The three types are geometric patterns, calligraphic texts, and arabesques (stylized floral motifs). They’re often combined to produce even more elaborate designs. Human or animal figures are very rare in residential interiors.
- Colonial House Plans
Colonial revival house plans are typically two to three story home designs with symmetrical facades and gable roofs. Pillars and columns are common, often expressed in temple-like entrances with porticos topped by pediments. Multi-pane, double-hung windows with shutters, dormers, and paneled doors with sidelights topped with rectangular transoms or fanlights help dress up the exteriors which are generally wood or brick. Additional common features include center entry-hall floor plan, fireplaces, and simple, classical detailing.
At its height from the 16th to 18th centuries, the British Empire was the largest empire of its time. Its territory stretched from Africa to India to the Caribbean as Britain imported then-novel commodities like tea, rubber and spices.
In the subcontinent, British colonial decor combined pared-back aspects of Victorian design with details drawn from local materials and traditions. Whitewashed walls and sheer fabrics contrasted with native teak or mahogany, while the use of palms, ferns, and other natural elements reflected a fascination with local plant life.
The influence of Asian, Caribbean, and African design could also be felt in the use of eclectic fabrics, distinctive prints, and unique accessories collected from world travel. Meanwhile, the use of rattan and bamboo furniture (as well as items like collapsible writing tables) provided another dimension of texture that’s quintessentially colonial.
All told, British colonial decor represents a marriage of traditional (but then-modern) approaches from the Western world with stylistic elements borrowed from the nations being colonized. In these spaces, the decor tends to be airy and light, with billowy fabrics and plantation-style shutters designed to provide a cooling atmosphere in what were usually hot and tropical climates
The core element of British colonial decor is the contrast of light and dark tones. Consider using a soft white paint for walls and outfitting windows with light, sheer fabrics for that feeling of a cool oasis in a tropical setting. You can match the contrasting look of the era’s dark timber floors by using a stain on yours and adding other wood accents like plantation shutters or a classic four-poster bed.
In Pakistan, most people are now repurposing items like vintage trunks and suitcases to add to the mood of colonial touch.
The current trend of using botanical prints and greenery also plays well with a classic British colonial approach. This is one occasion where everything old truly is new again—many of these contemporary touches wouldn’t have been out of place during the original colonial era and can also contribute to that light-dark interplay that defines the style’s color palette.
- French House Plans
French Country house plans look best on big, impressive pieces of land, like farmhouses. Since their inspiration comes from rustic manors that decorate northern and southern France, the exterior of a French Country home is typically formal and stately, as well as symmetrical (e.g., the number of windows on either side of the home is the same). That said, some French Country house plans sport asymmetrical rooflines–where multiple points and elements fight for attention. While most French Country homes feature a square or rectangular footprint, interior layouts can vary greatly. If you have kids or often entertain guests, consider a French Country house plan with an open floor plan, so the chef of the house, for instance, can interact with whatever is going on in the main living area.
- Farmhouse house Plans
Most of the farmhouses in Pakistan these days are being constructed on big chunks of lands. Mostly this style of planning is being followed on the outskirts of our major cities.
These farmhouses can be big or small, depending on how they are being utilized. Mostly modern style is being followed in their desining with clean lines, large windows and open floor plans. These structures are mostly single story, with a large living space.
Another popular style for farmhouse like plans is rustic, with barn look and feel.
Depending on the usage, the plan houses a large central living area with one or maximum two bedrooms. Open kitchen is directly linked with the dining area. There is enough porch to park at least four cars. The plan opens in the outside space on all four or at least three sides. Having a water body surrounded by lush greenery adds to the curb value of the farmhouses.
Mid-Century modern House Plans
Mid century modern home design characteristics include: open floor plans; outdoor living and seamless indoor/outdoor flow by way of large windows or glass doors; minimal details; and one level of living space.
In Pakistan, Mid century modern house plans are characterized by flat planes, plentiful windows (and sliding glass doors) and open spaces. The homes tend to have a futuristic curb appeal. Today’s designs use state-of-the-art sustainable building materials and finishes and combine indoor and outdoor spaces.
Traditional House Plans
Traditional houses in Pakistan are double story structures in brick or stone masonry, with small windows to resist the harsh weather conditions. Red brick, arches, wooden details and bright colors characterize this style, which has its roots in Mughal, Persian and Turkish architecture.
All the rooms open into a central courtyard, instead of a living room. There is usually a corridor, to provide passage around the courtyard. These houses are introvert, which means the open inside, instead of outside to maintain privacy as well. The courtyard with an iconic old Eucalyptus tree is the main feature of traditional houses in Pakistan. This kind of planning can also be termed as vernacular, since it grew organically, considering people’s requirements. Although it’s still practiced in most villages, but if we go back few years, there is usually an open outdoor kitchen in a corner of this courtyard as well.
Again, traditional houses of today are very luxurious and comfortable for living. They house all amenities and may or may not be built around a courtyard. They have interiors done in rich wooden tones, complimented by colorful textures and hand crafted furniture and other artistic pieces.
