Space planning 101: Best practices for optimizing the flow of your room

Before you dive into moving furniture or, especially, purchasing new pieces, take a step back and start with a plan. Grab your measuring tape and get accurate measurements of your room, including doorways, windows, and architectural features like fireplaces or built-ins. Mapping out your room on paper or by using an online floor planning tool can help you visualize your setup before committing. This way you can rearrange your furniture to get an idea of what might work before you actually rearrange. We often work with clients to create floor plans that allow them to see how their existing pieces might fit or what new additions might make for a better fit. 

One of our favorite strategies is to work with the furniture you already have, experimenting with different configurations to see how they can change the room's flow and feel. Sometimes just moving a sofa to face a different direction or shifting chairs around can completely transform the space. Or, it will help you know for certain, that new pieces are needed to achieve the right flow and use of the space that you are wanting.

Not every piece of furniture will make the cut when revamping a room, so it's crucial to narrow down what you're keeping and what needs to be replaced. Think about each piece and how it contributes to the room's overall look and function. Sometimes, even a beloved piece, it maybe be better suited for a different room or purpose. Some pieces will work great in the refresh of your room.

Taking the time to review will allow a better overall understanding of what stays and what goes. Measure the pieces you plan to keep, and start having fun playing with how they can fit in your room. We encourage clients to be open to what makes sense to stay and what can find a new home somewhere else in the house if it's not quite right for the redo.

One of the most overlooked aspects of space planning is considering how people move through the room. Ideally, you want to allow for at least three feet of walkway space to ensure comfortable movement. Think about how you naturally enter and exit the area and what path you typically take. Does the current setup make the most sense? Or are you weaving around obstacles to get from one spot to another? We've found that minor adjustments, like angling a chair slightly or pushing a table a few inches, can make a huge difference. It's all about being mindful of the natural flow and making sure your layout enhances, rather than hinders, movement through the room. 

Think about how you use, or wish you could use, the space as well. Would you like to host more family gatherings? Want a more cozy and comforting feel in a guest bedroom? Wish you could have friends over for fun and games? All of these things help direct your room setup. Considering the movement in and thru the space allows you to create a room that is beautiful and serves it's full purpose.

Even with a well-thought out plan, be prepared to make tweaks once the pieces are in place. Sometimes a layout that looks great on paper (or a computer screen) doesn't quite translate to real life. At our firm, we encourage clients to listen to the space. Houses and rooms will speak to you if something feels off. Don't be afraid to shift things around, even it means changing up your original plan a little.

Think of your plan as a guideline rather than a strict rule. Sometimes moving a chair a few inches or swapping to end tables can make a world of difference. Trust your instincts and pay attention to how the room feels once everything is in place. If it still doesn't feel right, keep adjusting.

No room is complete without the finishing touches that bring it to life. It might seem curious to mention this when talking about space planning but space planning is more then just a bird's eye view. We always remind our clients to think about sightlines and how things look from different angles. The reality is your room is 3D and things like accessories, art, lamps, and pillows add visual interest, balance and personality to your room.

One of our go-to tricks is to incorporate a mix of heights, colors and textures to add depth and dimension. For example, layering accessories at different heights or add a floor lamp next to a sofa creates that balance and keeps your eye moving around the space. Don't feel like you need to fill every inch of the room though. Negative space can be just as impactful, giving your eye a place to rest and helping to highlight your favorite pieces. The negative space is also a great guide for you and your guest on how to flow thru the room and utilize your great new setup.