It is a huge step as a first-time home owner - I’m used to the UX of being a ROOM owner. The number of possibilities of how I use the space, where I put my stuff, everything can be optimized differently now.
My classic UX as a room owner typically looks like: enter main door, head to room to put down stuff, go to kitchen or toilet if need water or food, and eventually settle down in the room.
Now, we have the whole house. I was curious, where do I predict I would spend the most time in the house?
Ideally, I would spend less time in my bedroom and more time in the common spaces, as I have more agency now how the common spaces sound like, look like and feel like.
But I get too warm easily on sofas and living areas, and usually would need AC. I wouldn't turn on AC for 1 person in that big space though. Would that mean I might still hide in the bedroom with AC more if it's a hot day?
Let's look at the layout of our new 4 room to visualize our experience and user journeys in the house. WHERE WOULD I EXIST?
As I enter the main door in my new house, I would like the space to be generally free of clutter. That means I would have a small storage area in my bomb shelter on the right.
That's where I would chuck many of my bags, umbrellas, shoes, exercise equipment, plastic bags, and more.
If I brought food stuff back from home, I would walk to the dining table or the kitchen fridge. I don't think I will put food on the kitchen counter top as it is a closed kitchen format, therefore it is quite seperated from the living area.
When I'm done settling down, washing up - in the common bath if I do not have to change my clothes - in the masterbedroom toilet if I want a change of clothes
I would probably settle down in the living area, by the table, or in the massage chair.
Interestingly, that might mean that I might not need to enter my bedroom until my night time shower and sleep timing.
That would be my first user journey insight that I find interesting, and I will shape where I place the furniture and interior design based on my usual habits and preferences.
Stay tuned to how we decided based on the different layouts, imagining our lifestyles, considering the fact that we will be renting out rooms, and more. The next article I will highlight another layout that we were seriously considering before we settled on this one.