Space planning is the process of arranging rooms and furniture so people can use the space comfortably. It begins with measurements and activities, not with a shopping list. A useful layout shows how people enter, move through, work in and store items in each area.
Record the room accurately
Measure wall lengths, ceiling height, doors, windows, columns, fixed cabinetry and visible service points. Note door swings and any route that must remain clear. Photograph each wall and label the images. For a renovation, have the appropriate person verify dimensions before custom work is ordered.
Map the activities
List the activities that happen in the room and what equipment or furniture they need. A dining area may need chair pull-back space and a route to the kitchen. A bedroom may need access to storage without blocking the bed. In an open-plan room, identify how different zones connect and what should be visible from the entrance.
Test furniture footprints
Compare actual product dimensions with the plan. Mark furniture on the floor using removable tape and walk the routes. Check that cupboards, drawers, windows and doors can open. Consider how people will carry a tray, move luggage or bring in a new piece of furniture. A plan that looks balanced on paper still needs to work at full scale.
Use zoning without unnecessary barriers
Rugs, lighting, furniture orientation, low shelving and changes in ceiling or floor treatment can help distinguish activities. Choose boundaries that support privacy or focus while keeping useful circulation. Partitions should respond to real needs and to any relevant building constraints.
Review accessibility and flexibility
Ask who needs to use the room, whether someone uses a mobility aid and whether the layout can adapt as routines change. Avoid assuming that a standard furniture arrangement works for everyone. For more on adaptable homes, see our guide to accessible interior design.
Space planning is one part of a broader project. Learn how it fits into the interior design process and read our apartment space-planning guide for Nairobi.
