What Is Space Planning & Why Is It Important?

A reconfigured ground floor plan optimising available space tailored to our client

What Is Space Planning? 

Space planning is about optimising the available use of space. Good space planning creates function, flow and helps with aesthetics – it is the difference between feeling at home in a space instead of feeling frustrated. Space planning allows the space to work for you, rather than against you. 

Why Do I Need A Space Planner? 

Although there is logic to space planning, unless you’re a plumber, you’re unlikely to take on plumbing works, unless you’re an electrician, you’re unlikely to re-wire your home. In this same vein, although we may have an ability to carry out other roles, sometimes these things are best left to the expert (there is a science to space planning after all) – or perhaps you’d prefer to do something else with your time. 

How Do I Know When I Need A Space Planner? 

Your requirement for a space planner can depend on multiple factors related to your project. If you’re undertaking a full design overhaul of your property or have particularly challenging spaces to work with – then a dedicated space planner can help to unlock crucial parts of the puzzle. Equally you may be looking to create multi-purpose rooms or increase the value of your property – all which will benefit from a space planner using their expert eye and knowledge to optimise the available space. Fundamentally, if you’re looking to enhance your living space and have it tailored to you and your household, a space planner is for you. 

How Does Space Planning Help The Function Of A Space? 

Carefully considering a room lay-out – and how it’s going to be used – will ensure that the space is functioning properly, working with you than against you. It is very easy to overlook the functionality of a space, sprinting towards that Instagram photo finish, rather than considering exactly how you intend to use a space and ensuring that its function delivers for you and your household. Function is ensured by optimising the lay-out, creating smooth flow and enhancing usability. When space planning, we button down into every detail so that we understand exactly how you want to use a space and what it needs to offer for you to consider it a success. There is a science behind space planning and considering principles such as ergonomics and environmental psychology results in maximum return.  

Before and after of a bathroom, reconfigured to a more functional lay-out

How Does Space Planning Help With The Flow Of A Space? 

The flow of space refers to how easy and efficient it is to manoeuvre around a room. Done correctly, the space should be efficient, comfortable and feel natural to navigate. Logical lay-outs, zoning of areas and optimising how people move through a space are vital considerations, as is avoiding congestion, particularly in high traffic areas such as kitchens and hallways. There are many elements that contribute to a good flow of space including making sure key items are convenient to reach. Done correctly, your space will be enjoyable and effortless to move around in. 

Where Do I Start With Space Planning? 

First of all you need to work out the purpose of the space, what is it going to be used for? And how do you intend to interact with the space? 

There are principle rules that can be followed when space planning, such as leaving an optimal distance between a run of kitchen cabinets and an island – and these are all critical considerations – of which some are outlined further below. Yet something that is often overlooked and is absolutely fundamental to getting a space right, is how YOU or your end client is actually going to use the space. 

Humans are all different from one another and so, it’s no surprise that we all use spaces differently. Look at an office for example, some colleagues select a desk by a window, others against a wall, some in the middle of the room.  

So whenever you start with space planning, make sure you really understand a household and how they operate, not just now but how they envision their household to look in 5 years time so that you can offer longevity in your plans. 

You’ve developed the client brief but now what? 

Once you’ve done a deep dive and really gotten to know your client, the next step is to remove the bias. Imagine that a room is completely empty and build it up from there. Listen to the space and what it’s telling you – I listen to the Genius Loci (the spirit of a place) - and propel your decision making from there. Just because a room was a bathroom, doesn’t mean it needs to stay a bathroom. Just because a room is used as a lounge, doesn’t mean it needs to stay as a lounge. Just because a tv is on one wall, doesn’t mean it needs to stay on that wall. It may seem obvious but once you remove the bias you unlock a fundamental piece of the puzzle. 

Assess what does and doesn’t work in a space? 

When reconfiguring a lay-out you should assess what does and doesn’t work in the space – this conversation should be had with the user as, what works for others, may not work for them. 

When considering how successful an existing lay-out is, there are some questions you will want to consider – how does natural light travel around the room at varying times of the year? How many people are regularly using the space? What do the clients like about the space? And what do they dislike? Do they host regularly for friends and family? What sort of furniture do they like?  

How do you create zones and divide an open plan space? 

Distinguishing the use of a space is important, particularly in open plan or large rooms. It helps to define its function, improve its visual appeal and enhance comfort and privacy – it demonstrates the different needs and activities that each zone offers and therefore tells us what sort of furniture and design is needed, be it a quiet space for reading or a moody nook that evokes creativity. 

To define zones, you can vary the wall finishes (colour and texture), dress the area with rugs and other soft furnishings, use furniture or change in levels to delineate areas and adjust the lighting to its zone.  

How do you ensure that there is enough storage? 

Find out absolutely everything that the client wants to have housed in a cupboard or on a shelf. Look for telltale signs – is there a floordrobe by the front door because there’s nowhere to place belongings? Are their cupboards overflowing or their surfaces full? Be sure to take note of any objects that are awkward in size or shape and consider this when selecting furniture.  

For the space to look more considered, opt for fitted furniture and storage units. This can be done on a budget by taking standard cabinets and adding in scribes and decorative detailing to take the furniture to the walls, floor and ceiling where applicable.  

How do you ensure the correct flow of a space? 

Consider how the occupants move around the space – are there any pinch points or obstacles that prevent them from travelling freely? You want to create clear and distinct pathways, guiding the occupant around the home effectively and easily. Find out what is liked and disliked about the current flow and see how you can improve it. 

How do I select the right furniture for a room? 

It’s important to consider the scale and proportion of a room – as well as the items that are going to be placed within it. The space should feel balanced, not too empty or overcrowded – unless of course that is the required style.  

If you are using furniture to create zones, consider which sides of the furniture will be visible and whether those faces are neatly finished.  

Look at your mood board and check if the furniture fits with the overall vision – and remember that elements such as handles are interchangeable and can be adapted to suit your needs.  

A soft and whimsical mood board for our client in Cambridge

How do I know if I’ve gotten it right? 

When a space is optimised, it will improve the users' comfort and improve their way of living. On exploring the points above, you will have a thoroughly thought-out space that is fully optimised. Once implemented, the space will feel natural, be clearly defined and centred around functionality.  

I’m a property investor, how does space planning help me? 

Clever space planning can help you maximise the value of your property – as well as increase your monthly return of investment. We recently explored how a 1-bedroom flat could be converted into a 2-bedroom flat so that the investor could let to multiple occupants, increasing their monthly revenue, as well as increasing the value of the property. 

In addition to this, engaging a space planner will ensure that your property feels, looks and operates at its best – this allows for positive viewings and increases the likelihood of securing a tenant or buyer. Afterall, as soon as someone can imagine living in the home you’ve created, half the battle is done.  

If you’re a property investor wondering how space planning can help you, look out for our next blog which details just that. 

That concludes our space planning blog, we’ll leave you with some key dimensions and distances to consider. 

What are some key dimensions and distances to consider when space planning?* 

Between a kitchen cabinet and an island - at least 1 metre. 

Height of kitchen cabinet - 91cm  

Depth of kitchen cabinet – 60cm (base) 30cm (wall) 

Distance between kitchen worktop and underside of wall unit – 40cm 

Distance between hob and extractor – 65cm (electric hob), 75cm (gas hob) 

Between dining chairs - between 20cm to 25cm. 

Behind a chair - at least 1 to 1.2 metres. 

Width of a hallway – at least 90cm (private approach), at least 1.2m (communal approach) 

Size of a bedroom – 7.5m2 (single), 11.5m2 (double) 

Clearance around a bed – 60cm on each side 

Size of a shower - 90cm x 90cm or bigger.  

Internal door width – 76.2cm or 84cm (accessible) 

*Regulations and optimal sizes are subject to change. Please ensure you comply to the latest regulations.