What Is Space Planning?

Space planning is a vital part of any interior design project, whether you’re designing an office or a commercial interior. It’s all about how you arrange and organise the space to make sure it works for the people who will use it. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what space planning is, why it matters, and how it can make a huge difference in the functionality and feel of your interiors.

Why Space Planning Is Important

When it comes to designing a space, it’s not just about aesthetics. While pretty interiors are essential, the layout is what really makes a space work. Space planning ensures that your interior is used efficiently, comfortably, and in a way that supports the activities and people using it.

By considering the flow of movement, light, and functionality, space planning allows you to create an environment that suits your workforce needs while avoiding wasted space or awkward layouts. So, whether you’re redesigning your office or designing a new commercial interior, space planning plays a crucial role.

The Basics of Space Planning

Let’s break down the key steps in the process so you can understand what goes into it.

1. Assessing the Space

Before diving into any design decisions, you need to understand your starting point. Space planning starts with assessing the existing layout. This means measuring the area, checking how it’s currently being used, and identifying any inefficiencies.

Think about the size, shape, and location of rooms and furniture. Is there too much empty space? Or perhaps things feel cramped? The first step is to gather information and identify what needs to change.

2. Understanding the Users

Next is getting a clear picture of how the space will be used. Are you designing an office where people need to collaborate? Maybe a retail space that needs to attract customers. Understanding how people will interact with the space is key to a successful design.

3. Designing the Layout

This is where the magic happens. Based on your assessment and understanding of the space’s use, the next step is creating a layout that works. Space planning helps you decide where each element—whether it’s furniture, storage, or walkways—should go. You’ll also need to think about how people will move through the space and whether there are any areas where people might feel trapped or confined.

4. Maximising Functionality

One of the main goals of space planning is making sure the space is as functional as possible. This means considering storage, lighting, and how spaces connect with one another.

For example, in an office, you might have open workstations, but you’ll also need private meeting rooms, breakout areas, and perhaps a kitchen.

5. Reviewing and Refining

Once you’ve drawn up your initial layout, it’s time to review it and see if it works in practice. You’ll likely need to make adjustments to optimise the design further. Maybe a piece of furniture needs to be shifted to improve flow, or the lighting needs to be repositioned to highlight key areas.

How Space Planning Impacts Your Design

Good space planning doesn’t just make a space work; it can also make it feel bigger, brighter, and more inviting. Here’s how:

• Optimisation: By planning the layout, you ensure that no square metre goes unused, helping to maximise the area’s potential.
• Improving flow: A good layout ensures that people can move easily from one area to another.
• Enhancing aesthetics: A well-thought-out layout allows for the right balance of furniture and design features, creating a visually pleasing and functional environment.
• Boosting productivity: In an office, proper space planning can improve workflow and collaboration, which in turn boosts productivity.

FAQs About Space Planning