Space planning involves the simple concept of analyzing a room and all of the elements within that space; ceiling height, window size and placement, hallways and entries, etc… With that data, we plan a room with furnishings and accessories that support good design; one that accommodates the traffic flow that your lifestyle demands. It may not be the sexiest aspect of the work that we do, but it is one of the most essential. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes bit of work that not only helps you visualize the end product but also helps you achieve the look you desire before you make any physical changes to your space. Now that’s what we call design smarts!  Read on to learn more about space planning and what we’re talking about!

Utilizing the data from our room and furniture measurements and laying out a digital floorplan is one of the first things we do with EVERY DESIGN. Not only does this enable our clients to visualize how the pieces will work in their unique spaces, it gives everyone a chance to test placement and design before a single piece of furniture is ever touched. I am so proud of the fact that at Design Connection, Inc., we have our very own space planners on staff. We get our rooms right the first time by employing the latest advancements in interior design technology.

We love challenges in interior design! One such challenge is when we are faced with rooms that have unusual dimensions or angled walls. Pictured above is an actual space plan for a client; you can see how the windows, angled wall and hallway leading to this living area needed to be considered when placing the furniture and creating areas that allowed for traffic to flow easily. This particular project was one that I really enjoyed because we started with a completely blank slate and were able to work with the client to include the pieces they wanted without crowding the space. Whether it’s for a living area, bedroom or kitchen, you should consult a professional space planner to make sure that everything on your wish list is addressed, tested and incorporated before you commit to any kind of refresh or renovation.

The space plan above eventually became the space you see pictured above. Everything from the height of the window treatments to the placement of each piece of furniture was pre-planned, checked and approved ahead of time which made for a perfect room. We did space planning and design for this entire condo from start to finish. If you would like to get a look at the great furniture, accessories, fabrics and other design elements we used for this project, click here to view our portfolio.

Have you ever purchased a piece of furniture or an appliance, only to find that it doesn’t fit in your space? I see this often when homeowners finish out their basements and design their lower levels as a DIY project. Oftentimes, tricky angles in halls and doorways will force you to get creative. Sometimes you can remove doors, railings or even dismantle parts of the furniture. This was not the case for my neighbors, who created a beautiful space when they updated their lower level. They also ran into a few snags that could have been avoided had they had proper space planning, like purchasing a full size fridge that simply would NOT fit through the existing door and hallway. Not only did they have to return it for a smaller size and pay a restocking fee, the entire design of their basement was compromised due to this measurement over-site. The countertop and cabinetry dimensions had already been ordered and sized; making these after-the-fact changes blew their budget over the top. The Super Bowl weekend unveiling of their newly finished basement didn’t happen as they had hoped, as their time frame was also affected.

At Design Connection, Inc., we include space planning in all of our interior design projects. While not every designer in Kansas City employs the same ideals and concepts that we do, we feel space planning is a big part of what makes our service so extraordinary.  We like to work with our clients closely to make sure that they are happy and in the process it helps us get to know them better and provide a level of service that you won’t find just anywhere. Saving clients time, money and potential headaches by planning in advance seems like a small price to pay for the big results they get when they end up with a space they absolutely love.

If you are planning on new furnishings you can save a lot of time, money and heartache by making sure everything is going to work in the space BEFORE you buy! If you are considering remodeling, we can even move walls and make major adjustments that you can see before you ever get started, like this kitchen remodel pictured above. That is just another perk of working with an interior design firm with a strong background in architectural designs and space planning. Got a project? We would love to give you a free in-studio consultation! Simply click here then fill out the form and we’ll be in touch!
From selecting the perfect paint color to creating custom furniture and draperies to masterminding an entirely new floor plan, we do it all, big and small. Contact us today!

Interior Design Blogs by Arlene Ladegaard

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