How do I even begin planning my space?

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If you have found your way to this blog and reading this post, then chances are, you are the type of person who cares about your interior space.  You want it to be inspiring. You want it to reflect you.  You want it to be beautiful and comfortable and functional.

So you may have asked yourself once before, "How do I even begin planning my space?"  You may have felt overwhelmed by the idea, and with good reason.  Planning a new space or re-creating one takes time and effort and a little soul searching - especially if you are trying to achieve what was previously mentioned.  But the good news is, if you ask yourself the right questions and follow a few guidelines, it can make the task more manageable and the outcome more satisfying, while saving you a lot of time and money.

So how does one begin planning a space?

Well ... you could hire me ;) It would be the simplest solution, hehee!

But this post is not really about promoting my services. All the info is there on the top of the page and all are welcome to take a look.  Instead, the whole concept behind the blog part of my business is to share inspiration and knowledge about interior design. And since I know a little about that, today I would like to share with you some tips and tricks on how to begin planning a space.

First and foremost, ask yourself what the mood is that you are trying to achieve.  And this will depend a whole bunch on what is going to happen in that space.  Is it a home office, where productivity and creativity are of high importance?  Is it a kitchen, where organization is required and appetite is to be promoted?  Is it a bedroom where relaxation and comfort are on the top of the priority list?  Is it a living room where social interaction and leisure will play a big role?  Once you've decided on the appropriate mood based on the function of the space, it is time to get inspired.  

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Collect images, colour samples or even real life items that give you the similar feeling as the one you imagine in your space.  This is a bit of an abstract exercise and it can take some time.  It is important to be honest with yourself.  You have to choose things that really speak to you somehow, because I guarantee that when you look at that collection down the road, you will begin to see certain patterns in colours or style.  Once you see that pattern developing, it is time to analyze your space.

Really look at your space.  Imagine where and how daily functioning will happen there.  You must devise a functional layout for your space.  Not to be mistaken with a furniture layout.  It might end up looking something like this:

To achieve this one asks themselves questions along these lines: What areas does the space need?  A reading corner? A sitting area?  A social area? Storage? Shelves? A place to hide the cat litter box?  A place to display a collection? Designate those areas based on the nature of the room, on its physical properties. Notice where the widows are located and where the natural light source comes from. How high are the ceilings?  Is there a built in fireplace? A sunken level? A beam or column? Questions like these will help you decide what the best place is for the function required. If there is one critical piece of information I can share at this level, it would be this: Pay attention to how you will physically move around the space.  Designate your areas so that your movement trajectory is left undisrupted.  This is what will give your room its very essential sense of flow.  Now that you know what you need from the space, what is best for the space and a general idea of how to lay it out, you can move on.

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Based on your functional layout, make a "to do list" of things you need to do or get for the space.  Paint? Wallpaper? Change or fix the floor? Rugs? Furniture? Also consider what you already have and put in on the list with a checkmark beside it so that you know it's taken care of. You don't need to decide on any specific items yet, you just need to make a "to do list".

Next, it's time to get real. Decide on your budget now.  Before you set your heart on anything, whether it be a piece of furniture or a renovation, you need to know how much you can spend.  No limits?  Great!  But the reality is that most of us do.  Knowing how much money you can afford to spend will help you prioritize what needs to get done first or what percentage of your budget you can allocate to the different variables of your project. Make those notes on your "to do list".

Return to your inspiration collection and really narrow down your style and colour scheme. With your inspiration solid and a good idea of your functional layout, you can start making all those fun choices with a clearer view.  This blue or that one?  The first mirror or the second?  A bed with a headboard or without?  Moulding or no moulding?  So fun!!

Any questions, comments or tips you'd like to share about the beginning phases of planning a space?

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Happy weekend to you all.