Think about what you are going to put in your sewing room then add 12 to 20 more feet. I like big rooms.

Having been an Interior Designer for the past 35 years, start with an inventory of all the things you want to include in the room, Machines you own or plan to own, storage requirements in linear feet (think vertically here), work/cutting table, will it be permanent or folding. Etc! Once you have the needs switch mode to the nice to haves including how you want the room to look, ie windows, doors etc. Start with a list of everything you can imagine, then see how much you can fit in without getting too large, consider zoning the room into 2 sections, one for sewing, and one for other activities and how they will work together. Will the furnishings be built in (less flexible affects resale someday) or will you use furnishings that can be moved around. Rectangular rooms such as 12 x 18 , 20, 24 work well. The more time you spend planning the more efficient and wonderful the room will be. Good Luck, sounds wonderful already!

I think this is the way to do it. Decide on your furniture, built ins, etc. Make a diagram/ That will tell you what your space needs are need.

A lot will depend on how much fabric you have, how many machines, and if you plan to have a LA in the room. Sometimes too big is as bad as too small.

I got the book "Creating your perfect quilting space" sewing room makeovers for any space and budget,by Lois L. Hallock, and it is full of wonderful ideas! and there are some really great sewing rooms right here on the board, just do a serch of sewing rooms or studios, good luck

My husband built on a 12x24 room for my sewing space and said you will never fill this one up!! Well he finished it in July and I got moved in it in August and its full,LOL
He laughed and said oops,but we didnt have roon to go wider but he said maybe next year he can go longer,I have a longarm in there too so that took up room. But I love it!!! Its better than my little 10x 11 room I was in. But go bigger if you can.PS dont forget a closet!! We did.

Give yourself a nice big design wall with no cabinets, shelves, etc. I use a Block Butler, and I love it, but you do need a space for that. Sometimes it loses its stick, but I just spray it with water, and it comes right back. Whatever you decide, you'll want a blank wall to use.

HeeHee! As big as you can make it. I have a friend who has a big ne and she has it set up with a small kitchen so she can make coffee and tea, warm up something in a small microwave, etc. She also has two comfy chairs so her hubby can come and watch TV and visit with her while she is sewing or doing hand work. She has a special spot for all her sewing machines because she invites gals over for a sewing fest. She has a large walk in closet for all her fabric and big bookshelves under a window for all her books. she has a blanket on the lower shelf where a heat vent is so her kitty can sleep there anytime she wants, which is often. Big design wall also. Jan

There is a free design web site called Sketchup.com I haven't tried it but saw it ona DIY program called This New House. Looks interesting and perhaps worth a look.

One thing to make sure of is outlets, at least 2 on every wall.

Lucky, lucky woman! Lots of good ideas here. Inventory and measure what you have and what you'd like to have. We've designed and built two homes; both times I used graph paper and furniture templates to the same scale for my furniture placement. Let's me know where to put doors, windows, etc.

Also consider electrical outlets at table top height for easy access.

I'm dreaming and scheming for my own sewing area (fell to the budget axe when we built :-< ) so this is very interesting to me!

One of the things I've been thinking about is a way to screen at least part of my mess from visitors - maybe face the back of my machine to the door/sitting area with a partial height wall.....plus I like to know when someone comes in (my back is to the door now and my husband thinks it's very funny to sneak up on me - yikes!). I also prefer my natural light coming from the side rather than facing a window or having my back to it.....

Track lighting!!