Two layouts with the exact same furniture can result in vastly different spaces. Even moving just one large piece can dramatically change circulation paths, block the access to the window or the space you have around certain functional areas. Drawing to Scale is an excellent tool for you to test this theory and understand the importance of layout before you delve deeper into the color schemes, finishing materials, lighting, etc.
Draw the same room to scale and draw three layout options. The same furniture dimensions are used for all options, but positioned differently. In other words, the relationship among the major pieces changes from one option to the next.
In each option, you may mark the walking paths (circulation), one spot where people can pass comfortably and another spot where people pass with only just enough space. This can help you evaluate layouts.
Where do people walk from the doorway to where they sit, work, store things, etc.? Where do they go to exit the room? Good Circulation is smooth and efficient.
Can people walk through the room without having to take a detour to avoid furniture and other design objects?
Does circulation flow nicely through and around functional areas? Is Circulation interfering with people’s activities? For example, walking directly behind a desk while someone else sits in front of it, or walking through the seating between the sofa and the coffee table.
Remember a layout plan can be quite pretty when viewed from above yet not so great in reality.
How accessible are pieces of furniture, storage, doors, etc.?
Can you open drawers and cabinet doors? Can you open room doors? Can you maneuver around the bed easily? Can you pull the chair out of the desk? Can you walk around the sofa?
A pretty, symmetrical layout can turn out to be lacking in Accessibility. A layout with a dramatic focal point could be lacking in Clearance.
Where do you need to sit, store, or work in a given room? How can the furniture be arranged to best facilitate the activities in the room?
A living room layout should have a pleasing seating arrangement with adequate space for storage and access to doorways without having to walk in the middle of the seating area.
A home office might be evaluated based on desk placement, access to shelving, the direction of the chair, the view out the window, and the chair’s movement.
A bedroom might be evaluated based on the bed’s placement, access to dressers, the ease of getting into and out of the bed and access to the door.
In your evaluation, identify the best way to balance functionality with the given space. It is not necessarily about perfect accessibility all the time but figuring out where a compromise is acceptable.
As you progress in your designs, you will begin to find the best compromise. This exercise can be used to compare layouts when you aren’t sure which one you like better and to figure out what your options are when working within a design space. This can help a beginning designer understand that the first layout that balances on paper might not be the best choice and help you better defend your design decisions.