Space Planning Ideas for Small Houses

In today’s world where space constrain is major concern, space planning has become an essential part to interior design process.

What is Space Planning???

Space Planning is allocation and division of interior space to meet code and provide the needs of client whether he is looking to plan for residential house or any kind of commercial building. To simplify I would say that space planning involves maximum utilization of available space in the most efficient and effective way and most importantly,as per clients needs and requirements.

For Residential space planning especially, there are various important elements that need to be considered. Like for small house, how to accommodate clients choice of furniture in bedroom, kitchen design so that client can work easily while cooking, etc. Here Space Planning play a very important role.

Here is an example of Space Planning…

A Project on Space Planning

A project in Gurgaon, New Delhi had a major concern on space planning.The client had a long list of requirement that was to be accommodated in limited space.

Action Taken

The site was a 2 floor apartment. On visiting the site, we firstly thought of designing the space in such a way that all the functions flow into each other.Another element that was the highlight of the space plan was open stairs. An open stairs was planned in such a way that a connection can be felt in elements on the ground floor and above it.

We planned to incorporate open stairs because:

(i) it gives a sense of space and freedom and
(ii) it works best where space constrain is the major concern. With Open stairs there are no risers, so one can look through the staircase for what is beyond. Here the steps fixed between two stringers where the handrail or guardrail is attached to either both or one of the stingers.

In this project, open stairs added to space visibility allowing a visual connection between Drawing room, dining room, kitchen and upper floor.

You see how Space Planning can have a strong impact on success of a room. Without proper planning, not only house but a small room can end up looking awkward or disastrous interior even if you have spent more on furniture and other element.

[updated on 27-Feb-2023 by Nitin, founder of Contractorbhai.com]

There are two ways a home can become big & spacious…

Either you buy a new bigger home…

Or you do the right things which makes your existing home look bigger & spacious..

We always thought that more is good. More amenities, more design, more features… But things have changed. Today, homeowners want minimal & easy on the eye home.

Steve Jobs at Apple knew this. He didn’t even have a bed in his bedroom. He used to sleep on a Japanese style sleeping mat. He followed Zen Philosophy.

In Zen Philosophy, less is good. Minimalism is good. Less thought, less noise, more peace.

Over a period of time we keep collecting various things inside our house. We have to control this tendency. If we buy new shoes, old ones should go out. If we buy new something, the old one should be out.

Using good practices of Interior Design we can make a room appear bigger & brighter. Physically you might be able to do a few things. Move a wall or increase the size of the window. However there is a limit to how much you can do physically.

After this you can use tricks of Interior design to increase spaciousness. Lights, colours, design tricks…

Below are a few random points which can be used to give a feeling of spaciousness inside a small room…

Furniture

Avoid furniture which is not necessary. Do you really need that extra side table? Do you need an extra cabinet? Can you manage with a smaller dining table?

Curtains/Upholstery

Use colours which are light in shade. Dark colours will bring this surfaces close to eyes, hence making things appear near to each other.

Flooring / Wall Paint

These two are the biggest suraces in a house. Use lighter colours. Brighter colours will reflect more light. More room is lighted, the more spacious it will look.

Solid colours

Laminates can be of solid colours. Less or may be no texture/lines at all. A plain laminate on furniture gives a seamless look to the room, hence will increase spaciousness in the room.

Highlighter

Vertical design or bars or lines will give the appearance that the room is longer than it really is. Vertical lines to our eyes give a feeling that the surface is taller than it really is..

Glass on wall/ Mirror

This will throw reflection, and to the mind, the room appears to be extended & bigger.

Avoid shadow dark spots

In the kitchen below the cabinet, have lights. Any corners not getting enough light, make sure it gets it. Using lights & correct design, make sure all corners are lighted well. Any area which is not lighted enough, becomes dark & to mind it gets removed from space.

Cabinets with glass in shutters/door

Seeing through glass in doors/shutters of cabinets will let you see inside cabinets. More room space will be visible. You will also make sure not much clutter is gathered inside since it is visible all the time.

Avoid Dark colours

Dark colours absorb light. Reduce the brightness of a room. Dark colours appear closer to eyes than they really are..

Open Kitchen

Spaciousness crated by having Open Kitchen

Wall separating Kitchen & living room can be completely or partially removed. This wall can be converted into a breakfast table or service counter. So you can see through both rooms & store things inside the service counter.

Natural light

Do not block the source of natural light entering your house. It is good for your health. It kills germs. It increases the spaciousness of a room by making it look brighter.

Aluminum Sliding

Balcony slidings instead of 4 doors can be 3 or 2 doors. Less number of frames, better outside view will be available.

Grill design

Have a simple striaght line minimal design for your window & balcony grills.

Invisible Grills

If the budget allows, go for it…

False ceiling design & height

Keep minimal design for your false ceiling. Use the minimum height required for creating a false ceiling. If instead of 12 inches if the ceiling can be created in 6 or 9 inches, do that..