As an Interior Designer, space planning is ultimately the heart and soul of my job. It’s a process that involves organizing furniture, millwork, and other spatial requirements to collectively work together while utilizing the space provided in the most efficient way. On top of that, there are living or workgroup functions (depending on residential or commercial spaces), local building codes and regulations, lighting (artificial and natural), and storage requirements to consider just to name a few! From here, we take this research and analysis to the ‘drawing board’ and develop plan(s) and/or details that define the spaces and their functions. Circulation patterns are also noted to indicate how individuals will move through the space. Sounds like a lot right? Well, it definitely can be! While there are a lot of things to consider when space planning, it’s important to have some fun along the way.
Whether you’re considering your next home renovation project, or have been given the task to redesign an existing corporate office layout, there are several points to keep in mind:
1. Consider the architecture of the space itself and determine some of the characteristics that truly make the space unique. This could be an exposed brick wall, historical window encasements, or an ornate entry door. These could easily become the highlight of the space! At the same time, think about what your layout can achieve while considering some of these elements;
2. It’s easy to overfill the space whether it be with furniture, millwork, artwork etc. But remember, not every square inch of the space needs to be filled! There’s something unique and beautiful about leaving certain areas untouched. Consider what those areas are in your space;
3. Consider biophilia – bringing the outdoors in! There’s tons of research out there that indicates the benefits of spaces having unobstructed views to nature, utilizing recycled finishes and materials, or increased natural daylight;
4. Interior Designers typically have several software programs available at their disposal when it comes to space planning however, if these programs are not as attainable to you, consider the use of graph paper and/or create scaled paper cut-outs to come up with the best possible layouts;
5. We touched on considering the circulation path for your space but, this is super important! This can be a make or break for the space as someone enters the room, makes their way about the room, etc. Ensure a clear circulation path from your entryway to other areas of the space and, lastly, to exits (pretty important for fire safety!);
6. If you’re planning a large space, consider the best separations for the space and how each zone plays a role in the overall space;
7. If you’re planning a small space, definitely avoid clutter (if I said it once I’ll say it again!) and pay special attention to your furniture selection. Big, bulky items will only make the space feel overfilled. Try working with light colored items and/or furniture with legs to provide the open, airy feel that a smaller space can lack;
8. Scale and proportion is everything. Human scale plays a large role when it comes to the main functions of the space.
Now that we’ve developed a list of some key items to consider when space planning, there is also a list of questions you can determine to further develop your space plan. These may be questions based on your own expertise or questions that your client would have a say in as well:
1. What is the primary function of the space? Is there the possibility of developing multiple functions for one space?
2. How many people will utilize the space? This could be determined based on a program that calculates the area or seating counts based on the square footage of the space.
3. Can any existing furniture, millwork, or lighting be reused in the space?
4. What types of lighting are required for the space? (i.e. task, ambient, general) vs. how much natural light can be incorporated into the space?
5. Are there any unique characteristics in the space that can be enhanced in your space plan?
Much of Interior Design has to do with problem solving therefore, creating a list of questions of this nature will further help you to consider some of the existing issues of the space and how you will resolve them. At the same time, as much as we would love all the pieces to fall in to place so perfectly on every project (maybe one day!), come to the realization that there may be certain problem areas or issues that will require more attention versus other, less pressing items (think wish list) that may take a back seat.
When it comes time to begin putting paper to pen or mouse to computer, there are several ways to begin the process. Most designers like to adopt industry-wide known methods such as bubble diagrams, or block diagrams that essentially delineate certain zones, functions, or activities in a space through simple, rough sketching. Once those zones or activities are finalized, we can progress our sketches into hard walls, entryways/exits, ceilings, etc. that better define the spaces we’re planning for (and to appropriate scale of course!).
It’s certainly a task that’s greater and more in depth than just figuring out how to arrange your old furniture in a space. There’s a lot of trial and error that comes in to play however, knowing the information at hand, the results will be reflective of a well-thought out space!
Would you rather take a stab at creating your own space plan or hire a professional? Let me know in the comments section below!
