To produce a cohesive interior design concept, professionals in the field have to take many elements in consideration. One of these elements that doesn’t get spoken of way too often is space.
Designing for a large flat in Singapore isn’t the same as choosing the right décor and interior improvements for a small living space. This is why space planning is one of the first and most important steps that interior designers will engage in.
So, what exactly is space planning and how does it work? In essence, this is a fundamental interior design element that works with form, pattern, texture, light and colour.
What is Space Planning in Interior Design?
Space planning, put in simple terms, is an extensive analysis of how a particular space is going to be used. It applies to all kinds of design – residential, commercial, industrial, retail, etc. Through space planning, an interior designer can come up with individual zones on the basis of function. Once these zones are established, the right kind of interior design can be selected for each.
For experienced designers, it’s very important to understand exactly how a client intends to use a space.
No two people have the same idea for a flat or an office. This is why space planning has to be very personalised to accommodate for distinctive needs. Based on these needs, the design team will make functional choices to promote a specific lifestyle.
Good space planning also leaves some room for adaptability. Needless to say, needs aren’t static. The way you live today isn’t necessarily the way you’re going to live five years from now. Good space planning allows for some flexibility and change through the years. When this happens, you don’t have to go through renovations often in order to accommodate for the new preferences.
Reasons Why Space Planning Matters
There are several reasons why space planning is one of the seven key elements of interior design.
For a start, it determines the functionality of a room or a premise. Space analysis always starts with the function of a particular zone. When this function is established, an interior designer can make the choices that will facilitate the respective purpose.
Space planning also creates balance. Here’s a simple example of how this happens – you cannot stuff an oversized sofa in a tiny living room. Such design elements aren’t going to be balanced, throwing off the proportions of the space. When planning isn’t carried out in a correct way, a small flat could start looking even more crammed or a large apartment could become empty and hollow.
Through space planning, interior designers can choose the right furniture and the right arrangements to ensure better flow and optimal utilisation of the particular area. The final outcome isn’t just going to be functional, it will also carry a ton of visual appeal that works well with the specifics of the particular zone.
Key Considerations When Space Planning Is Being Carried Out
Analysing an existing residential or commercial space is far from easy. A professional needs a good understanding of the area’s potential and they also should have some sort of vision for the future of the space.
A couple of key considerations play a role in professional and successful space planning.
The structure and layout of the room/area come first. When these are being analysed, a designer can come up with some focal points and highlights. If such focal points are missing, they can be added (in the form of divisions, built-in units, columns, etc.) to increase balance.
Next, a designer will have to examine the size of the area. Perspective, perception and utilisation are all dependent on size. The same applies to the interior design solutions that will be chosen and executed in the respective area. Size refers both to the area and the volume of the space (both horizontal and vertical planes should be taken in account).
When these types of analysis are carried out, interior designers can choose scale, furniture size, colour schemes (to make the space look bigger or smaller and cosier) and even patterns and textures.
Usually, space planning results are presented in the form of diagrams or 3D visualisations. These will give the owner a better idea about how the space can be utilised and optimised in line with the intended purpose.
If the space is too small or unsuitable for a purpose that the owner has in mind, a designer may also come up with ideas to “borrow” space from other areas or choose the design solution that will result in the optical illusion of more airiness.
Leave Space Planning to the Professionals!
Doing a bit of online research will give you a ton of information about how to do your own space plan. This is an aspect of home renovation and interior design, however, that you should leave to the professionals.
Interior designers go through years of training in order to recognise both potential and challenges when doing space planning.
In the absence of such knowledge, you’ll find it impossible to create a balanced concept that looks good and that’s also highly functional.
An interior design company like Home Guide can handle the entire interior design process on your behalf, and that includes renovation – the fact that we are also a HDB-licensed renovation contractor also streamlines the process. This includes the initial planning, the execution and even the finishing touches.
If you want to make the most of your available residential or commercial space, contact Home Guide right now. We’d be more than happy to help you carry out a comprehensive transformation.
