If you’re planning to revamp your office – or relocate to a new space altogether – you’ll probably come across companies offering space planning or design services. Sometimes, it’s not immediately clear what differentiates these two terms.
Do they mean the same thing? Do I need both or just one of these services? What’s the benefit of choosing either a space plan or a design service… or both? These are just a few of the questions we’re going to answer in this beginner’s guide to office interior design and space planning.
What does ‘space planning’ mean?
Space planning is all about the layout of your office, not the way it looks. Sure, the layout of an office will have a significant impact on the feel and flow of the space – but space planning isn’t about aesthetics. Instead, its purpose is to make your office as functional and logical as possible. That’s why, at Plann:d, we offer a range of office furniture solutions.
A space planner’s job is to take all of your company’s requirements and must-haves. Whereas interior design focuses on aesthetics, space planning is all about maximising the space efficiency of your office. For example, do certain groups of employees need to sit near each other so that they can collaborate more easily? Do some employees need peace and quiet away from others who are always speaking on the phone? Where will your employees access the office from, and how will they circulate around it? How much meeting space do you need? Do you need a breakout area or informal workspace? Will your employees have fixed desks, or are you going to practice hot desking? These are the kinds of questions you can expect a space planner to ask.
They’ll understand your company in great detail, learning what makes it tick on a daily basis. Armed with as much information as possible – along with measurements of your office space, of course – they’ll go away and create a layout, aiming to take full advantage of every inch of available space.
Where does interior design come in?
Once the office space planning is complete, it’s then the turn of an interior designer to make it look the part. With the finished 2D floor plans at their disposal, along with information about your design preferences and favoured colour palette, the designer will get to work on making the space truly one of a kind.
We believe an office space should be as unique as the company that uses it – and it’s during the design phase that this really rings true. Whether you want your office to reflect your corporate colours or have a zen-like, neutral feel, our designers can bring your vision to life.
Which service do I need?
Put simply: space planning deals with the functionality of your office, while interior design is all about form. In an ideal world, you’d have both – if you’re making a significant investment in refitting your office, it’s worth taking everything into consideration from the get-go. By utilising both services, you’ll be creating a space that looks the part and makes sense for your employees at the same time.
If you’re not sure which services you need, book a consultation with Plann:d today.