Before You Choose Anything Else: Why Space Planning Matters

When starting a design project, clients often ask me where the real beginning is. Is it selecting finishes? Choosing cabinetry? Falling in love with furniture or lighting?

The answer is simpler—and far more important—than most people expect: space planning.

Space planning is the foundation of every successful project. Before a single finish is selected or a product is ordered, the layout must work both functionally and aesthetically. If the space doesn’t work on paper, it won’t magically work in real life.

My design process typically starts in 2-D with a detailed space plan. This allows us to clearly understand:

• How the space will function day to day

• Traffic flow and clearances

• Proportions and scale

• How different areas relate to one another

I then move into 3-D photo-realistic renderings. This step brings the plan to life, helping you visualize how the finished space will actually look and feel before any major decisions are finalized.

This two-step approach ensures that what you see is not just beautiful—but also works.

Why Space Planning Comes First

Skipping or rushing the space planning phase can lead to tough (and expensive) decisions later. Without a solid plan, you usually end up in one of two situations:

A. You realize things don’t fit or function properly after items are ordered. That means returning products, paying return shipping, wasting time and money, and starting all over again.

OR

B. You keep everything and settle, You live with a space that doesn’t function the way you need it to and doesn’t look the way you envisioned—because changing it feels overwhelming or costly.

Neither option is ideal.

The Smart Investment Up Front

A well-executed space plan helps avoid costly mistakes, second-guessing, and compromises. It creates clarity, confidence, and a strong roadmap for every decision that follows—from cabinetry and furniture to lighting and finishes.

When you start with space planning, you’re not just designing a room—you’re designing how you’ll live in it.