Understanding floor plans and unit types before you buy in Dubai
How to read a floor plan and compare unit types, from studio to penthouse, without relying on a square-footage number that has not been confirmed, using Coastal Haven as a working example.
A floor plan is a layout, not a number
Investors new to buying off-plan often start by comparing square footage across projects. That number is useful once it is confirmed in your contract, but early in the process it is more useful to compare layouts: how rooms connect, where the balcony sits, how much of the plan is corridor versus living space. Coastal Haven on Dubai Islands, which offers one, two and three bedroom residences and penthouses, is a practical example for walking through these questions.
What a floor plan actually shows you
A floor plan is a scaled drawing of how the rooms in a unit connect to each other and to outdoor space. Read it for four things before anything else:
- Whether the living and dining areas form one open space or two separate rooms.
- Where the bedrooms sit relative to shared spaces, which matters for privacy in a family unit.
- Whether the balcony or terrace connects to the living room, a bedroom, or both.
- How much of the plan is taken up by circulation space, meaning corridors and entryways that are not usable living area.
Comparing unit types without comparing surface area
Studios, one, two and three bedroom units and penthouses each serve a different buyer profile, and the difference is about function more than size.
| Unit type | Typical buyer profile | What to check on the plan |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | Single tenant or short stay, entry-level investment | Kitchen separation, storage space |
| One bedroom | Young professional or couple, strong rental demand | Balcony access, bedroom privacy from living area |
| Two to three bedroom | Family, longer-term resident | Bedroom separation, second bathroom placement |
| Penthouse | Owner-occupier or premium long-term rental | Outdoor terrace size relative to interior, ceiling height |
At Coastal Haven, the collection spans one to three bedroom residences and penthouses, which gives a useful range for comparing this table against a real project rather than a generic example.
Reading orientation and light on the plan
A floor plan on its own does not tell you which way a unit faces, but it should be paired with a stacking plan or a unit-specific orientation note from the developer. Two units with an identical layout can feel very different depending on whether the main living space faces the water, an internal courtyard, or another building. Ask your adviser for this detail specifically; it is rarely printed on the plan itself.
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Penthouses and duplex units: what changes
A penthouse or duplex unit adds a second consideration on top of the standard floor plan: the relationship between floors, including where the staircase sits and how much of the upper level is enclosed versus open terrace. At Coastal Haven, the penthouse collection sits above the standard residences, and the Coastal Haven project page is where your adviser can pull the current unit-specific plans for this category.
Why we do not quote surface area figures here
No square footage number appears in this guide because none has been independently confirmed for publication at this stage. Any figure you see attached to a specific unit should come from the developer's official unit specification sheet, referenced in your reservation form and your SPA, not from a marketing summary. For the process that follows once you have chosen a layout, read how to read a developer brochure and understanding service charges and community fees, since both affect the true cost of the unit type you select.
Getting the current plans for a specific unit type
Floor plans for a specific building or phase are not always public at every stage of a launch. Send your target unit type, whether studio, one bedroom or penthouse, on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939, or write to sales@orvenproperties.com, and an adviser will send the current plan set for Coastal Haven or another project in the selection.
FAQ
Can I get exact square footage for a Coastal Haven unit? Exact figures come from the developer's official unit specification sheet, confirmed at reservation. Ask your adviser for the current sheet for the unit type you are considering.
What is the main difference between a one bedroom and a two bedroom floor plan? Beyond an extra room, look at how the second bedroom relates to shared space and bathrooms, since this affects both livability and rental appeal.
How do I know which way a unit faces? This is confirmed through a stacking plan or a unit-specific orientation note from the developer, not always visible on the floor plan alone. Ask your adviser to confirm it for the specific unit number you are considering.
Is a penthouse floor plan read differently from a standard unit? Yes. Check the relationship between levels, staircase placement, and how much of the upper floor is enclosed versus open terrace, in addition to the standard layout questions.
ORVEN PROPERTIES
Talk to an Orven adviser
Leave your number: an adviser calls you back or replies on WhatsApp, in your language. No commitment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get exact square footage for a Coastal Haven unit?
Exact figures come from the developer's official unit specification sheet, confirmed at reservation. Ask your adviser for the current sheet for the unit type you are considering.
What is the main difference between a one bedroom and a two bedroom floor plan?
Beyond an extra room, look at how the second bedroom relates to shared space and bathrooms, since this affects both livability and rental appeal.
How do I know which way a unit faces?
This is confirmed through a stacking plan or a unit-specific orientation note from the developer, not always visible on the floor plan alone. Ask your adviser to confirm it for the specific unit number you are considering.
Is a penthouse floor plan read differently from a standard unit?
Yes. Check the relationship between levels, staircase placement, and how much of the upper floor is enclosed versus open terrace, in addition to the standard layout questions.
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