Space planning is a fundamental element in interior design process. It is a carefully laid out plan on how to set up a space and arrange the items needed in it. A designer draws up a plan that defines the zones of the space and the activities that will take place in those zones.

Simplinterior and Décor, a renowned interior designer in Lagos Nigeria ensures a critical in-depth planning of a space as the planning process determines the finish look of a space.

The space plan will also define the circulation patterns that show how people will move through the space. The plan is finished by adding details of all the furniture, equipment and hardware placement.

One of the most important part of interior design training is space planning. As an Interior designer understanding space planning guides you in the process of executing exceptional Interior design projects.

INTERIOR DESIGNER GUIDE ON HOW TO LAYOUT YOUR ROOM

• An Interior designer thinks about the structure of the room, what are the main focal points? These could be windows, fireplaces, doors or built units. Are they balanced in the room? If not, think about what you can add to the space to help balance the structure of the space. Remember that the human eye is drawn to focal points and will scan a space when entering it.
• Perception of space in Interior Design is based on body size. Different size spaces suit different size people: one person’s claustrophobic box is another’s cozy nest.
• As an Interior designer you think about the space in terms of volume, e.g. if it were a fish bowl, if you add in a sofa, chandelier, sculptures, bookshelves, table, coffee table etc, you displace some of the water. Ensure that you don’t overfill the space.
• Plan your furniture with a scale drawing of your room or cut paper shapes to size and place them in the room to work out the best possible arrangement of furniture and accessories.
• Ensure that the circulation passageway through a room follows an easy and economic pathway from the door to all other main activity areas.

• When planning Interior decoration and lighting, work with the principles that vertical lines draw our eyes up and horizontal lines draw them across to extend or reduce the proportions of a room.
• Clutter closes down the space, so edit your clutter to avoid blocking both circulation and reducing the perceived size of a room.
• In large or long spaces, subdivide different activity zones to give definition to each part of the room
• Wallpaper with a square grid or tiling a room in squares will give the impression that it is bigger that it is – the smaller the grid, the larger the room appears.
• Disguise over sized sofas by breaking up their upholstered surface with a different colored or textured runner or folded throw.
• When furnishing small rooms, blur the edges of the room to break up the lines between floor and walls; draw furniture a little away from the walls; buy furniture in proportion to the room; choose furniture with legs to give the illusion of more space.

Simplinteriors School of Interior Design and Entrepreneurship ensures to teach  our students the rudiments of space planning.Let’s have a look at some questions that you need to ask yourself before creating a space plan for your own space.

 Top 10 Questions Interior designers should ask before planning a space.

• What are you going to be using the space for? Will it be multi-functional? E.g living/dining or bedroom/study?
• How/many people will be using the space and will they all be using it for the same purpose? E.g. A family might use the same room; someone may be watching TV, while another reads and another is working.
• How do you want the room to feel, space-wise – open and airy, cozy, minimal, serene?
• Can furniture be moved into or out of this room from other areas of the house?
• What are the focal points of the room and how can you take advantage of them?
• How much natural light is available and what kinds of lighting will be needed?
• What are the focal points of the room and how can you take advantage of them?
• Do you need to create focal points?
• Do you like balance and symmetry, the unexpected, or a combination?
• Is there anything else on your wish list for this room?

These questions will highlight the problems that your space plan needs to solve. Think about these points when creating your space plan and try to find a solution that will work. You might find out that you need to compromise on some of the points. That’s ok, you as the designer need to make the decisions that will make the space work best for the client, whether that’s you or someone else.

If you need help on planning your space, please contact us at Simplinteriors and décor and if you will like to get the best training on space planning contact Simplinteriors School of Interior Design and Entrepreneurship, one of Nigerian’s renowned schools of interior design to help you. You can also visit our website at www.simplinteriors.com for more info.