How to Improve Space Flow in Your Home
Understanding the flow of space in interior design can be a little tricky and confusing. I wanted to break it down and explain what it is, and how to leverage it to improve your home environment.
Flow of space is a concept that refers to how harmonious or in-tune a space feels when one steps into it. There are a few key elements that contribute to the flow of space. These are focal point, alignment, scale, and balance. When these four elements play nicely together, they create a positive environment and an inviting flow of space. When those are not in sync, that creates a negative flow of space and a sense of lack of harmony, e.g. think of a room that has a rug that’s too small, a sofa that’s too big, or a furniture setup that’s off-centered relative to the focal point in the room.
Every room has a flow that we create when placing furniture, rugs, styling pieces, etc. Because some of the aspects that contribute to flow of space are impacted by unchangeable features of a room, we need to know how to work with it instead of against it. If you’re thinking of revamping your room or home, use the guidance below illustrated in the accompanying sketches.
Focal Point: Determine what the focal point in the room is, or should be. This could be the gilded fireplace (as shown in the example below), a beautiful view, a sentimental art piece, or an accent wall. You want this to be the first thing your eyes go to when you enter the room. Having one focal point is best in order to avoid being caught up with too much going on in a room. However, this doesn’t mean that there should be nothing else of interest in the room aside from the focal point. Your eye needs to naturally bounce off of that focal point and land on the next best feature, e.g. a beautiful coffee table styled with lovely decor, a comfortable sofa, a persian rug, etc. This element is extremely important and, as a matter of fact, oftentimes designers will work on this first and then design the room around it.
Alignment: This is key in any room, as it is part of how we are wired as humans. We are naturally gifted with the ability to quickly and easily spot anything that’s off-kilter. We love alignment. How do you work alignment into your space? Pay attention to your structural layout and make sure your furniture is aligned with the focal point (see example below). If not possible, make sure it is at least aligned with structural elements in the room like the windows. If hanging art or frames, make sure those are placed at the right height and aligned according to the furniture / size of the room.
Scale: Having the correct size pieces in the room is crucial to making our environment look and feel appealing. When you have a big sofa in a small space, it only amplifies that the room is small. Same if you have a large rug in a small room. The best way to make sure you never buy the wrong size furniture piece is by putting in a little bit of work upfront, and creating a floor plan. Sketch out your room and take measurements of your space (L x W x H). Then, using painter’s tape, mark out the contours of each potential furniture piece you want to place in the room, so you can decide which sizing would be appropriate. Make sure to leave ample space between each piece to walk through (see example below). Tape out anything that you want to purchase (e.g. sofa, rug, coffee table) and take notes of all the measurements, then start your shopping. Note the order of steps: first decide sizing, second start shopping. Sometimes it’s difficult to avoid the impulse to begin checking out pieces. However, this allows you to only shop for the exact sizing you need and to not waste time pondering if something will fit.
Balance: Balance is probably the most important part of design because it refers to what we feel physically and emotionally when we walk into a room. It has the ability to make us feel well and happy, or anxious and uncomfortable. It truly is emotional and affects us in more ways than one, and therefore is a broader concept than the ones discussed before. When a room is well balanced, it has the perfect mixture of shapes, varying heights, textures, and materials. Due to its broad scope, balance is also affected by all of the prior elements: Focal Point, Alignment, and Scale. Balance is like the cherry on top, and if any of the above elements are not right it won’t be achieved.
When all of the above elements combine well together, the ways to circulate through a space become apparent when one steps into it. This contributes to making the environment welcoming and inviting, and to achieving positive flow of space. See illustration below.
I know all of this may feel overwhelming. However, it is hugely beneficial in the long run to spend a bit of time upfront sketching out your plan. It will save you time and money as you avoid mistakes and second thoughts, and it will ensure you’re left with a space you’re proud of. I hope this helped you understand the importance of creating a positive flow in your space, and what things to consider in order to achieve it.
Until next time!
Janiece
