OUR GUIDE TO SPACE PLANNING
OUR GUIDE TO SPACE PLANNING
OUR GUIDE TO SPACE PLANNING
Kim Johnson
Rae Wolf founder & Interior Designer
2 min read
Oct 23, 2025
|
2 min read
Oct 23, 2025
|
Space planning isn’t just about furniture layouts – it’s about designing a home that functions for the way you live.
Too often, we hit the “buy now” button in a rage against clutter, purchasing larger or busier items to solve “problem areas” without addressing the real issue: how space is used.
Start With How You Actually Live
During a recent light-touch kitchen consultation, I asked my client how she used the space day-to-day. She was frustrated by large plastic toys taking over her four-year-old daughter’s room. Rotating toys seemed like a solution – but space constraints meant it wasn’t possible.
After a quick wardrobe update in her daughter’s room (already on her to-do list), the second wardrobe could be removed. Suddenly, storage issues were resolved with no new build, no expensive storage furniture – just smart spatial planning.
This is the principle of spatial Tetris: small tweaks can solve recurring irritations, improve function, and create calm without unnecessary spending.
Key Questions for Effective Space Planning
Before rearranging or buying, I always ask clients:
How will you use the room most of the time?
Who will use the space the most?
What views or sightlines matter when you walk into the room?
A great example from my own home: we moved a toilet in our bathroom remodel because it blocked the only wall suitable for a large mirror. That small change dramatically improved both flow and function.
Four Ways to Maximise Your Space and Budget
If you’ve tried reconfiguring your space and it’s still not working, here’s how I can help:
Identify Real Needs vs. Space Available
Don’t lose sight of what your family actually requires. You can extend up to 6 metres deep and under 3 metres high without planning permission, but do you really need that much space? Sketching and measuring allows you to invest in the areas that matter most.Budget for Function and Finish
Big-ticket items are important, but small details give rooms their “wow factor.” My detail packages include everything – from lighting to finishes – so your money is spent where it matters, avoiding awkward empty zones.Check Your Walls and Layouts
Architects often provide standard blocks for ensuite layouts, kitchens, or bathrooms. But does that really suit your family’s needs? Moving a wall just 300mm can fit a double sink or walk-in shower without sacrificing circulation or style.Invest Smartly With Expert Guidance
After ten years in design, I know where to invest and where to pare back. From underfloor heating vs radiators to flexible kitchen islands vs fixed, I guide clients to spend money in ways that actually improve daily life.
Avoid the “Copy and Paste” Design Trap
Many architects and kitchen designers (#notall) have a “copy and paste” mentality –repeating standard layouts without teasing out your family’s specific needs. The result? Expensive, underwhelming spaces where someone is still blocking a cupboard or creating daily friction.
Good space planning solves this. It’s functional, thoughtful, and tailored to your home. Think of it like Tetris for interiors: each piece must fit perfectly to create harmony, flow, and usability.
Space planning is about more than moving furniture – it’s about creating a home that supports how you live, reduces daily friction, and lets you enjoy your space fully. A few smart tweaks can transform a frustrating room into a functional, beautiful, and calm space.
Invest time in planning first, and you’ll save money, stress, and energy while creating a home that truly works for you.
If you struggle with function and flow, the full service Interior Design package is for you.
Space planning isn’t just about furniture layouts – it’s about designing a home that functions for the way you live.
Too often, we hit the “buy now” button in a rage against clutter, purchasing larger or busier items to solve “problem areas” without addressing the real issue: how space is used.
Start With How You Actually Live
During a recent light-touch kitchen consultation, I asked my client how she used the space day-to-day. She was frustrated by large plastic toys taking over her four-year-old daughter’s room. Rotating toys seemed like a solution – but space constraints meant it wasn’t possible.
After a quick wardrobe update in her daughter’s room (already on her to-do list), the second wardrobe could be removed. Suddenly, storage issues were resolved with no new build, no expensive storage furniture – just smart spatial planning.
This is the principle of spatial Tetris: small tweaks can solve recurring irritations, improve function, and create calm without unnecessary spending.
Key Questions for Effective Space Planning
Before rearranging or buying, I always ask clients:
How will you use the room most of the time?
Who will use the space the most?
What views or sightlines matter when you walk into the room?
A great example from my own home: we moved a toilet in our bathroom remodel because it blocked the only wall suitable for a large mirror. That small change dramatically improved both flow and function.
Four Ways to Maximise Your Space and Budget
If you’ve tried reconfiguring your space and it’s still not working, here’s how I can help:
Identify Real Needs vs. Space Available
Don’t lose sight of what your family actually requires. You can extend up to 6 metres deep and under 3 metres high without planning permission, but do you really need that much space? Sketching and measuring allows you to invest in the areas that matter most.Budget for Function and Finish
Big-ticket items are important, but small details give rooms their “wow factor.” My detail packages include everything – from lighting to finishes – so your money is spent where it matters, avoiding awkward empty zones.Check Your Walls and Layouts
Architects often provide standard blocks for ensuite layouts, kitchens, or bathrooms. But does that really suit your family’s needs? Moving a wall just 300mm can fit a double sink or walk-in shower without sacrificing circulation or style.Invest Smartly With Expert Guidance
After ten years in design, I know where to invest and where to pare back. From underfloor heating vs radiators to flexible kitchen islands vs fixed, I guide clients to spend money in ways that actually improve daily life.
Avoid the “Copy and Paste” Design Trap
Many architects and kitchen designers (#notall) have a “copy and paste” mentality –repeating standard layouts without teasing out your family’s specific needs. The result? Expensive, underwhelming spaces where someone is still blocking a cupboard or creating daily friction.
Good space planning solves this. It’s functional, thoughtful, and tailored to your home. Think of it like Tetris for interiors: each piece must fit perfectly to create harmony, flow, and usability.
Space planning is about more than moving furniture – it’s about creating a home that supports how you live, reduces daily friction, and lets you enjoy your space fully. A few smart tweaks can transform a frustrating room into a functional, beautiful, and calm space.
Invest time in planning first, and you’ll save money, stress, and energy while creating a home that truly works for you.
If you struggle with function and flow, the full service Interior Design package is for you.
READ MORE FROM RAE WOLF
READ MORE FROM RAE WOLF
The 7 principles of Interior Design
In this post, I’ll walk you through the seven core principles of interior design: function and flow, balance, walls and art, flooring, furniture, materials, and authenticity.
Our guide to space planning
Space planning isn’t just about furniture layouts – it’s about designing a home that functions for the way you live.
Where to start when you're renovating your house
So, you’re drowning in stuff and dreaming of more space– you are not the only one.
The 7 principles of Interior Design
In this post, I’ll walk you through the seven core principles of interior design: function and flow, balance, walls and art, flooring, furniture, materials, and authenticity.
Our guide to space planning
Space planning isn’t just about furniture layouts – it’s about designing a home that functions for the way you live.
Where to start when you're renovating your house
So, you’re drowning in stuff and dreaming of more space– you are not the only one.
The 7 principles of Interior Design
In this post, I’ll walk you through the seven core principles of interior design: function and flow, balance, walls and art, flooring, furniture, materials, and authenticity.
Our guide to space planning
Space planning isn’t just about furniture layouts – it’s about designing a home that functions for the way you live.
Where to start when you're renovating your house
So, you’re drowning in stuff and dreaming of more space– you are not the only one.
The 7 principles of Interior Design
In this post, I’ll walk you through the seven core principles of interior design: function and flow, balance, walls and art, flooring, furniture, materials, and authenticity.
Our guide to space planning
Space planning isn’t just about furniture layouts – it’s about designing a home that functions for the way you live.
Where to start when you're renovating your house
So, you’re drowning in stuff and dreaming of more space– you are not the only one.
The 7 principles of Interior Design
In this post, I’ll walk you through the seven core principles of interior design: function and flow, balance, walls and art, flooring, furniture, materials, and authenticity.
Our guide to space planning
Space planning isn’t just about furniture layouts – it’s about designing a home that functions for the way you live.
Where to start when you're renovating your house
So, you’re drowning in stuff and dreaming of more space– you are not the only one.
The 7 principles of Interior Design
In this post, I’ll walk you through the seven core principles of interior design: function and flow, balance, walls and art, flooring, furniture, materials, and authenticity.
Our guide to space planning
Space planning isn’t just about furniture layouts – it’s about designing a home that functions for the way you live.
Where to start when you're renovating your house
So, you’re drowning in stuff and dreaming of more space– you are not the only one.
The 7 principles of Interior Design
In this post, I’ll walk you through the seven core principles of interior design: function and flow, balance, walls and art, flooring, furniture, materials, and authenticity.
Our guide to space planning
Space planning isn’t just about furniture layouts – it’s about designing a home that functions for the way you live.
Where to start when you're renovating your house
So, you’re drowning in stuff and dreaming of more space– you are not the only one.
The 7 principles of Interior Design
In this post, I’ll walk you through the seven core principles of interior design: function and flow, balance, walls and art, flooring, furniture, materials, and authenticity.
Our guide to space planning
Space planning isn’t just about furniture layouts – it’s about designing a home that functions for the way you live.
Where to start when you're renovating your house
So, you’re drowning in stuff and dreaming of more space– you are not the only one.
The 7 principles of interior design.
I’ll walk you through the seven core principles of interior design: function and flow, balance, walls and art, flooring, furniture, materials, and authenticity.
Our guide to space planning
Space planning isn’t just about furniture layouts – it’s about designing a home that functions for the way you live.
Where to start when you're renovating your house
So, you’re drowning in stuff and dreaming of more space– you are not the only one.
The 7 principles of interior design.
I’ll walk you through the seven core principles of interior design: function and flow, balance, walls and art, flooring, furniture, materials, and authenticity.
Our guide to space planning
Space planning isn’t just about furniture layouts – it’s about designing a home that functions for the way you live.
Where to start when you're renovating your house
So, you’re drowning in stuff and dreaming of more space– you are not the only one.
RAE WOLF: INTERIORS THAT FEEL
LIKE YOU, ONLY BETTER.
RAE WOLF: INTERIORS THAT FEEL LIKE YOU, ONLY BETTER.
RAE WOLF: INTERIORS THAT FEEL LIKE YOU, ONLY BETTER.
Interior designer, problem-solver, colour enthusiast. Kim founded Rae Wolf to help people create homes that don’t follow trends – they follow instinct.
