A Purposeful Floor Plan
“Simple can be harder than complex.” - Steve Jobs
Many of us collect furniture over time. Pieces we bought when we started our adult lives, hand-me-downs from family, estate sale finds, treasured pieces we saved for, and others that we just grabbed to fill a need. One day we wake up and realize we have quite a hodgepodge.
Use furniture and the built environment to deliver on the needs identified in your space plan.
What do you need?
Forget for a minute about what you already own. We will first define the ideal floor plan.
Within your space plan, define what furniture pieces you need to support the program. Exactly what seating arrangement do you want, and in what orientation? Does every seat have an obvious place to set down a cup of coffee or glass of wine? Is there adequate space lighting within each zone to support the intended tasks such as reading, knitting, or playing games?
Be very intentional about this thought exercise, only putting into your room layout specific items you need now. And, while there are limited exceptions, ignore items that you think you may need in the future.
Then edit down the plan by combining items where possible. Can the same piece of furniture serve multiple purposes, such as a side table that is good for both placing a drink while also setting out your hobby? This is now your floor plan.
A professional interior designer is an expert in creating floorplans that optimize function and flow, to support your needs. They help you arrive at layout solutions that have just enough items, and no more.
Creating the floor plan involves using furniture and the built envionment to support the functional needs identified by the space plan. The below example shows two different possible floor plans for the same office room. The plan on the left emphasizes a cozy conversation area that is less computer-centric; the plan on the right emphasizes core desk work, with an area for 2 additional people to join in on active work sessions at a table.
Editing down furniture you own
After you’ve figured out your ideal floor plan, inventory the furniture you already own. Borrowing an idea from Marie Kondo, be intentional about what items you want to keep in your life and fulfill an explicit need. Be brutally honest with yourself and ensure each piece is a solid YES! to all three of these questions:
Does it fill a need identified in your floor plan?
Is it the right size for the floor plan?
Do you enjoy looking at and using it?
An expert interior designer is skilled at creating versatile floor plans that combine function and flow in creative ways. Furthermore, they can be a neutral third party to help you and other stakeholders navigate these discussions about what is truly needed and worth keeping.
As Steve Job’s famously said, “Simple can be harder than complex.”
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