Things to consider when planning a comfortable, functional interior design.

1. What are your space needs?

Think about the size of your furniture and the number of people occupying the room. Make a list of the smaller, functional spaces you will need within the larger space, and then assign estimated square footage for each area. 

For instance, the space between the kitchen counter and the dining room table should be at least 4 feet so that people can walk between the two and diners have room to pull out chairs. But an entry door in the path and/or a larger scaled space will need more space – 6 feet or more.

2. What are your space relationships? 

Once you have determined the right size for each space, figure out which spaces need to be near each other – these are called adjacencies. 

3. What are your organizing options?

Knowing where the kitchen and bathrooms will be, and working within the constraints of the building shell, how do you want the smaller zones within the larger space organized? The four basic options are linear, grid, axial or central. For homes, you would usually use a linear or axial organization. 

A linear organization is a series of spaces arranged in a single line. Linear organization is very flexible. The sizes and shapes of the zones within can be different as long as they relate to a straight line.

4. Don’t let paths of travel be an afterthought

Think about how people will move from one zone to the next. Don’t forget to think about doorways and stairs as you allow ample room for circulation. You’ll need at least 3 feet of room for paths of travel.

Remember the orientation of furniture pieces in relation to each other, and the spacing between pieces to encourage social interaction.

5. Consider public and private spaces

When thinking about public versus private spaces, think about whether you want some of the spaces enclosed, or partially walled off. Bedrooms are private spaces that should be located in a quieter area of the living space. Kitchens are open and public. How do you like your dining room? In open communication with the kitchen, or more enclosed for a formal feel?

6. Find the right help for you

There are many software and online options to help you get started planning your space, and of course you can hire an architect or designer to create a set of scaled drawings for you.