In our previous post, we shared 5 ways your home can serve you, thus improving your daily life. Some of the pointers mentioned are practical and functional, whereas others are more aesthetic and focus on the mood and atmosphere of your home.
In this post, we are diving into one of the more practical aspects of designing and styling your space - spatial planning (also known as zoning).
Spatial planning can impact the way we live our daily lives. When thought out thoroughly, spatial planning can enhance your life and help to make the most of your current home. The key to successfully zoning your home begins with determining the purpose of each space.
Check out our 7 easy and effective tips for improving spatial planning in your home:
1. Colour Blocking
We have seen it executed effortlessly on the runway, so why not bring it into our homes.
Changing the colour of the walls, furniture, textures, and accessories can help to visually separate your space, as well as draw the eye to a focal point in your chosen room.
For instance, painting your living room walls a clean neutral colour and hanging a series of colourful artwork to the walls is a great way of carving out and zoning your very own gallery wall. Not only does colour blocking add a modern flair to your space, but it also makes a bold statement and sparks conversation. Colour blocking can also add a touch of design to a wall or designate a dedicated space for a specific task or routine.
We love this boldly painted wall and ceiling which implies a reading nook within the living room. Photo source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/808959151807196092/
2. Break Fresh Ground
Changing the floor material to visually denote a change of space or function is one of the best ways to communicate spatial planning and intention in your home. Whether you aim to create a devoted zone for socialising or want to initiate an allocated space for relaxation, zoning your floorspace can divide key areas while maintaining consistent traffic flow.
Opting for flooring options such as floor tiles creates a visual suggestion of how various areas work simultaneously, and also where they are separated. It displays where one zoned area ends and the other begins, while still maintaining a cohesive look.
TOP TIP: Adding an area rug to a space, adjusting the placement of floor lighting, or grouping your seating options are easy and ideal methods to help you define and distinguish between spaces in your home.
This bathroom design showcases a beautiful transition between the wooden parquet flooring and a marble parquet design; zoning the bath area from the rest of the space. Photo source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5GAAqo8ce/
3. Go with The Flow
The overall goal of space planning is to create an efficient and liveable space that reflects your lifestyle. Typically, the traffic flow of a room begins at the entrance point and goes right through into the entryway of a second room. If your rooms have a single entry/exit point then the traffic flows in and out via the doorway.
It’s essential that you position your furniture in a way that influences behaviours and allows people to intuitively move around freely without bumping into furniture.
For instance, placing a coffee table in the centre of your living room is a well-known way of zoning a functional space whilst anchoring the entire room. However if it’s too big or too high it can interrupt your walking space; if too small or too low, it makes using the table awkward and impractical. Always remember to consider the size and placement of your furniture and decor as you do not want to overwhelm the space nor encourage clutter.
This living room layout has ample walkway space between the seating options and coffee table, allowing the space to be effectively balanced and easily adaptable. Photo source: https://maidenhome.com/blogs/blog/housesevendesign
4. Side-By-Side
Creating boundaries to separate a room into multiple sections is a useful method of zoning your home.
To achieve this, opt for using partition screens and room dividers. Not only are room dividers a smart way of making your space increasingly functional without having to break the bank, but they can also be versatile and portable, allowing you to reposition them at any time to best suit your space. You also get the benefit of adding artistic style and personality to the space if the partition is decorative.
We admire how this patterned hanging screen divider from Parallax Design has been installed to enhance this open-plan space and partition the space into two separate zones - An entryway area designed for welcoming and a dining area designed for hosting gatherings and dining.
Room dividers courtesy of UK supplier Parallax Design. Photo source: https://www.parallaxdesign.co.uk/product-page/room-divider-pattern
5. Lay the Foundation
There are numerous ways to layout your furniture in both small and sizable spaces.
To make a small room appear more spacious, place your furniture against the walls. As a rule of thumb, the largest piece of furniture should be positioned against the lengthiest wall. In a larger room, to make your space feel more inviting and cosy, place your furniture pieces at a slight angle so that it creates a manoeuvrable traffic flow.
Each activity you carry out in your home needs dedicated space; some tasks require a fixed space, while others could be performed in many spots within your home. When designing and styling your home, consider selecting furniture that pairs well with your personality, lifestyle and is also practical for you long term. Always consider your daily routine and the tasks you’ll complete while using each piece of furniture or decor. If you’re tight on cash or want to be as sustainable as possible, you can always try out rearranging your current furniture, as this can also help to breathe new life and improve the use of space in your home.
This rectangular dining table has been positioned for multiple uses. Aside from being a dining table, it also serves as an improvised island, a gathering spot and a food and drink station. Photo source: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/ideas/home-visit-a-converted-apartment-in-an-old-school-pub42b21431 Styled by Katie Phillips. Photographed by Benjamin Edwards
6. Smart Storage Solutions
Investing in the right storage suitable for your space can immensely improve the practicality and functionality of your home. From pull-out shelving to rotating organisational tools, there are endless options you can incorporate into your home.
Did you know organising and simplifying your everyday items can improve your mental health? The process of organising can reduce stress, clear your mind, and boost your productivity. We suggest getting your hands-on smart storage solutions which allow you to conceal your possessions seamlessly and complement your overall home décor.
Remember, “clutter smothers, simplicity breathes.” - Terry Guillemets.
This modern bookcase is a clever way to store your current reads, as well as display your favourite accessories and decor pieces. Photo source: https://www.pinterest.de/pin/361413938847510440/
7. Fit for Purpose
When it comes to zoning your living space, nothing is more fundamental than incorporating your lifestyle and needs.
Although each room is built for a purpose, you must consider what daily tasks are most crucial to you and incorporate them into each space. For instance, dedicating a zone within your bedroom to act like your home office/workstation, is a great alternative if you’re low on space, house sharing or have a busy/noisy household.
TOP TIP: When in the decorating process, it always helps to involve the person/people who are most likely to be performing frequent tasks in the space. This helps to add a personal touch to the final look, in addition to allowing them to explore their creativity.
This hanging desk area enables a streamlined solution for a home office. Photo source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/704461566699033618/
Ready to transform your space? We’ve got you covered.
Visit our design services page here to discover how our team of designers can draft a floor plan to help zone your space and create your functional dream home.
by Keleisha Simpson