Space preparation sounds simple, does not it? Throw a sofa, build a cupboard there and make sure everybody has enough room to walk around — voilà! A new living room. Obviously, that is not quite how it functions. Successfully planning outside the rooms at a house requires considering a variety of tangibles: function, physical constraints, size, furniture and flow, to mention a few. Before you begin planning your next remodel or redesign, consider the following from four designers.
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1. Ascertain function. Think carefully about what you would like your new room to do and that will use it. Ask yourself what will be demanded of the space. Will you be hosting events there? How many people should it hold? What are you and your family’s limits due to height, age and physical ability? Consider the ages of those in your household — just how durable and accessible does all must be?
Think about all the activities you’ll be doing in the room — from paying bills to getting family talks. “The more questions you ask and honestly answer can help you to be sure the area is planned correctly and will function, as well as be aesthetically pleasing,” says designer Marie Hebson. “Each person prioritizes things differently. Be honest with yourself. Be flexible if you want to, in order for your room can grow with your family.”
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2. Get dimensions. Though some could yawn past a designer’s range of dimensions, they are critical. Truth is vital when organizing a space, particularly when you are drawing up a first strategy, so get your dimensions right. Draw a floor plan of your current area, carefully measuring each detail. According to Hebson, designers often work within a specified range of dimensions for furniture and fittings, since those can help prevent potential issues that have hunting for the perfect product. “By having a parameter, you can expand your search to find the perfect fit both proportionately and aesthetically,” Hebson says.
“Dimensions are extremely important to ensure a space is functional and efficient,” says designer Susan Lund. “They will need to be especially precise when intending kitchens, bathrooms and dining rooms, in which you will need to have sufficient clearance between furniture, cabinetry, appliances and plumbing fittings.”
“If you do not allocate the ideal quantity for walking, working or storage, then you are left with a gorgeous area that works horribly,” says designer Robin Rigby Fisher. Pay attention to the minimums and maximums that your area supplies, and how they are going to enable the room’s assigned functions.
Meredith Heron Design
3. Consider ergonomics. “The furniture design follows the role,” says Rigby. As soon as you’ve determined your room’s purpose and the quantity of space available, you can begin figuring out what furniture will do the job best. While space and function are important, you do not wish to forget about comfort either. Ask the same questions about your existing or future furniture which you are asking about the space itself. What can you do to improve your furniture’s support or comfort level?
“If you talk about ergonomics, simply think about what actions you are going to do in your room or home,” advises Hebson. “Try making those movements and observe that which keeps you from becoming cozy. One by one, remove all of the disturbing factors that cause the inconvenience.”
This is especially important in multipurpose and high-function spaces, like kitchens and offices, where repetitive-motion injuries, strain and anxiety can occur easily. “Ergonomics in today’s society is so critical, since it reflects a lifestyle that many men and women are trying to achieve,” says designer David Arduini of 3sixty Space Planning Design.
Robbins Architecture
4. Make your home flow. Your new room needs to have a space program which flows not just inside, but also with all the other rooms in your house. “Organizational flow helps you find the manner in your property,” says Hebson.
Flow from one space to another takes function into consideration (for instance, maintaining your kitchen near the dining room), but also believes materials and color. A continuity of materials and color from room to room — flooring, furniture, millwork, baseboards and interior doors — will allow your home to stream visually, too.
More:
Mastering the Open Floor Plan
How to See a Floor Plan